Raiders goaltender Max Hildebrand readies for a shot as Saskatoon's Easton Armstrong waits in anticipation Friday night at the Art Hauser Centre. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nolan Kowal

Print the playoff tickets

Raiders punch their ticket to playoffs despite loss to Blades

Mar 23, 2024 | 12:13 AM

It wasn’t in the fashion they hoped, but the Prince Albert Raiders managed to clinch a playoff spot on Friday evening.

The Raiders lost 5-1 on home ice to the Saskatoon Blades but clinched a spot in the post-season after the Calgary Hitmen lost 7-6 to the Swift Current Broncos.

This means the eight-seeded Raiders will play the top-seeded Saskatoon Blades in the first round of the playoffs, which begin Thursday night in Saskatoon.

On Friday, the Raiders scored early to take a 1-0 lead but Saskatoon scored five unanswered goals and at times dominated the game.

Brandon Lisowsky led the way for the Blades with a pair of goals, while Aiden Oiring scored the lone Raider goal.

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The two teams will meet again on Saturday in Saskatoon as they conclude the regular season.

The Raiders and Blades are now set to meet in the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com