Max Hildebrand makes a desperation effort save in the final minute of the second period, inspiring his team for a spirited comeback effort in the third period and a 3-2 overtime win. (Steve Hiscock/Saskatoon Blades)

By Nick Nielsen

Raiders win 3-2 (OT)

Dube-dooby-does twice as Raiders pick up big win in Saskatoon

Mar 22, 2025 | 1:43 AM

Coming into Friday’s action, the Saskatoon Blades had 81 points to lead the East Division, the Prince Albert Raiders had 80, both teams had 37 wins for the first playoff positioning tiebreakers, the Raiders had a slight goal differential advantage for the second tiebreaker, both had top three goaltenders in the league, and if that wasn’t already enough parody, both were on three game winning streaks.

The stage was set for an incredibly tight game between the Raiders and Blades as the final battle for the East Division began, and the Raiders would get some early and late heroics from Brayden Dube for a 3-2 overtime win.

Just 24 seconds in, Brayden Dube opened the scoring with his 30th of the season. The puck would bounce around at centre as Aiden Oiring and Tomas Mrsic couldn’t find clean lanes into the zone, but after a pass intended towards Mrsic bounced off the wall and Dube would corral the loose puck in full stride, burning the defender downt he left wall before crossing the goaltender’s crease, out waiting the goaltender and backhanding it in for a beautiful start to the game.

The period would tighten up from there with the Blades starting to take over the momentum near the end after the Raiders went 0/2 on the powerplay. At 15:17 Hunter Laing would collect another loose puck on the right side of centre before skating in and firing a wrist shot. Hildebrand made the save, but the rebound came to David Lewandowski who potted the rebound.

After 1: Raiders 1 – 1 Blades, shots 10-7 Blades

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On their only powerplay of the game, the Blades would score 7:25 into the period after Aiden Oiring was sent to the box on a boarding call. During the powerplay, Cooper Williams would get the puck on the left point and send an expert feed through the middle of the slot for a backdoor tip from Zach Olsen into the back of the net.

The Raiders would struggle through most of the second period, but they got some inspiration in the final minute of the period from goaltender Max Hildebrand. The Blades would get a 2-on-1 chance where the forwards passed the puck back and forth three times before finally firing, but Hildebrand made a diving save and then stopped the rebound while flat on his stomach in a desperation glove save.

After 2: Raiders 1 – 2 Blades, shots 15-8 Blades, 25-15 Blades overall

The third period saw the Raiders battle hard to try and get to the back of the net, but Evan Gardner would continue staying strong through the early going. Things would get a little chippy back and forth, but neither team would give an inch and it looked like time was starting to run out.

With just over five minutes left, Harrison Lodewyk scored his since February 22nd after returning to the lineup on Wednesday. Daxon Rudolph brought the puck in down the right wall, and he used the referee to help get some space. He’d feed Crocker as he came into the zone, and together with Lodewyk would work the puck down into the corner. Crocker’s final pass came out of the corner and into the slot for Lodewyk, and he was stopped on the first shot before tucking in his rebound for his 11th of the season at 14:53.

After 3: Raiders 2 – 2 Blades, shots 8-7 Blades, 33-21 Blades overall

Overtime saw the Raiders dominate the possession time, but it looked like they were about to turn the puck over in the Blades zone. Dube and Lodewyk put on aggressive forecheck to get the puck back. Lodewyk sent it back for Justice Christensen at centre, and Christensen took it over the right side of the line as Dube sped to the goal. Christensen sent a hard shot along the ice intended for a tip, and Dube did just that to put the puck into the goal for his second of the night at 1:38.

FINAL (OT): Raiders 3 – 2 Blades, shots 2-0 Raiders, 33-23 Blades overall

The Raiders and Blades are now tied for the top spot in the East Division with 82 points, which eliminates the Brandon Wheat Kings from winning the division.

Saturday’s matchup in Prince Albert is officially a winner take all game for the East Division.