Raiders rookies open preseason with comeback win in Saskatoon

Moments later, the Raiders scored right back at the other end and it started with a big hit at the Raider blue line by camp invitee Parker Gabriel. That turned the puck over for 2026 10th-round pick Brooks Carlson, and he quickly sprung 2025 fifth-round pick Louis Judd on a breakaway. Judd fired and scored at the 10:45 mark.

The Blades restored their two-goal lead on a 2-on-1 rush where Christian Lee made a diving pass to get around defender for Zane Medin at the back door, and he tipped it in at 13:55.

In the final minute of the period, the Raiders scored again. Caleb Mozell, 2026 third-round pick and the Raiders top pick of 2026, picked off a pass at the top of the slot, took two steps, then lasered a wrist shot into the net at 19:17.

After 1: Raiders 2 – 3 Blades, shots 13-12 Blades

It took 30 seconds into the second period before the Blades scored again. Alexander Sharman walked in all alone, faked to the forehand, then tucked in the backhand.

In the final minutes of the second, the Raiders pulled back to within one. At the 18:23 mark, and on the powerplay, American camp invitee John O’Shea picked up the puck from behind his net, made a give-and-go play with 2025 fifth-round pick Chayse Fedoriuk at his own blueline, then continued to skate up ice on his own. O’Shea skated to the middle of the slot, then fired and scored.

After 2: Raiders 3 – 4 Blades, shots 13-12 Blades, 26-24 Blades overall

It took until halfway through the period before the Blades were able to score again. Right at the 10:00 mark, Welsey Truax skated in on the rush, and it looked like he was in too tight to score, but he elevated a wrist shot over the pad.

Just 18 seconds later, the Raiders got it right back when Caleb Mozell went up ice with Alex Boldt on a 2-on-1. Boldt fed Mozell, and he fired for his second of the game at the 10:18 mark.

The Raiders called a timeout with a little over two minutes to go in the game, and a full powerplay to work with. At 18:51, Athens Shingoose took a wrist shot from the left point, that was stopped, but Gavin Hamelin battling for the puck in the slot swatted the rebound home.

The Raiders decided to take the win in regulation though at 19:24 when Logan Chang fired a shot from the point, it was deflected by the goaltender into the corner, but John O’Shea swung a backhand pass out front and Alex Boldt tipped in the game winner.

FINAL: Raiders 6 – 5 Blades, shots 15-8 Raiders, 41-34 Raiders overall

There was still a period of overtime to try out the new overtime rules that prevent teams from bringing the puck outside of the offensive zone. In the overtime frame, Saskatoon scored to end it.

In goal for the Raiders, Chase Kettles made 16 saves on 20 shots for a 0.800 save percentage on the day, while Evan Wandler made 13 saves on 14 shots for a 0.929 save percentage.

The Raiders play their next pre-season game at home on Friday against the Moose Jaw Warriors.

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nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com

by Nick Nielsen

Raiders rookies open preseason with comeback win in Saskatoon

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