(Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nolan Kowal

Back at the Hauser

Raiders hoping to take control of series in front of ‘boisterous’ fans

Apr 2, 2024 | 1:10 PM

After earning a series split on the road last week, the Prince Albert Raiders will now try to use home ice to their advantage against the Saskatoon Blades as the two rivals continue their first round WHL Playoff Series at the Art Hauser Centre with Game 3 Tuesday night.

The Raiders won Game 1 on Thursday in large part to a 41-save performance from goaltender Max Hildebrand. Rookie Saskatoon netminder Evan Gardner backstopped the Blades to a Game 2 win on Friday.

Now, the Raiders hope the rabid playoff fans at the Art Hauser Centre are enough to give them a series edge, just as it did when the Raiders won the WHL champioship five years ago.

“You take a look at 2019 when Saskatoon was here…it was an intense rivalry there,” said Raiders Head Coach Jeff Truitt. “Our building was loud and boisterous and gave us a lot of energy.”

“Coming back here for Games 3 and 4, I expect this place to be loud and obviously give us an advantage that way. It’s a good feeling to be home when you’ve been in their building for two and now we get our crowd behind us,” Truitt said.

RED DRESS DAY

'More that needs to be done': P.A. to mark Red Dress Day with solemn ceremony

18h ago

Making a splash

P.A. Pikes sees numbers nearly double during 2023/24 season

May 02, 2024

Golden girl

'Super special': P.A.'s Zablocki reflects on Esso Cup win, reveals plans for next season

May 02, 2024

As of late Tuesday morning, there were about 400-500 standing room tickets available for Game 3. All of the seats have been sold. Some seats for Game 4 on Wednesday are also still available.

“The fans always support our guys and it ramps up in the playoffs,” said Raiders Business Manager Mike Scissons. “We have lots of standing room for tonight and tomorrow. Don’t believe any rumours…head on down to the rink or go online and buy your tickets for tonight’s game and we’re looking forward to a packed barn tonight.”

The Raiders were able to steal Game 1 in Saskatoon 4-3 on the strength of a superb goaltending performance from Hildebrand,. Meanwhile, Gardner led Saskatoon to a 4-1 win in Game 2 as he was just 46 seconds shy of a shutout, making 31 saves on the night.

Truitt said his players will try to make things more difficult for Gardner in Game 3.

“They [the Blades] don’t seem to have any problem talking to Max [Hildebrand]. We have to stop at the net, we want to crowd the net as much as we can in the playoff series. He’s a young goaltender, he’s a good goaltender, so we have to try to do everything we can when it comes to crowding him…deflections, screens, whatnot, to maybe not make it as easy of saves as he wants them to be.”

Another factor for Game 3 could be the special teams, which are essentially dead even heading into Tuesday night. The Raiders are three for eight on the powerplay through the first two games, while the Blades are four for nine on the man advantage.

Following Games 3 and 4 in Prince Albert on Tuesday and Wednesday, Game 5 will be back in Saskatoon on Friday night. Game 6, if necessary, would be Saturday night back at the Art Hauser Centre.

—

nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com