Prince Albert's Cole Peardon mixes it up with Saskatoon's William James during the final regular season meeting between the Raiders and Blades. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nolan Kowal

Scrappy underdogs

Raiders embracing underdog role heading into playoff series with powerhouse Blades

Mar 28, 2024 | 6:00 AM

With 38 points separating the two teams in the regular season standings, there’s little doubt that the Prince Albert Raiders are major underdogs as they head into their first round playoff series against the rival Saskatoon Blades.

The number eight-seeded Raiders and top-seeded Blades kick off their matchup with Game 1 Thursday night in Saskatoon at SaskTel Centre. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday.

“Personally, I love the underdog role myself,” said Raiders star goaltender Max Hildebrand, who was recently named the team’s MVP. “And our team, as the eight seed, we don’t mind getting a little greasy as the underdog, so it’s going to be good.”

Forward Aiden Oiring, who will be tasked with trying to help shut down a dangerous Blades attack, echoed those sentiments.

“We’re definitely excited…this is a team that we played a lot this season,” Oiring said. “I think it’s going to be a good battle and we’re excited to get started.”

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The two Highway 11 rivals squared off 10 times during the regular season, with Saskatoon winning eight of those games. The Raiders were unable to win a game in Saskatoon, and that will have to change if they want to play past the first round.

“I think they’re a really fast team, so I think just getting a hit whenever we can, slowing them down, not giving them time and space,” Oiring said.

“Obviously they’re a high octane team, lots of skill,” added Hildebrand, who will be starting in his first WHL playoff game on Thursday. “I think we just stick to our gameplan, keep it simple and play our systems the right way…we’ll be right there with them.”

The close proximity between the two cities should give fans the opportunity to travel to all of the games, and the players are looking forward to playing in those electric atmospheres.

“The Hauser is a bit smaller than Saskatoon but I think it definitely gets a lot louder,” Oiring said. And the more fans in Saskatoon…it definitely feels more full. So I think it’s fun in both rinks, but I think the Hauser is definitely going to be louder.”

Oiring, who will play in his first WHL playoff game on Thursday, added that once the puck drops for Game 1, it’s a new season.

“We’ve forgotten about the [regular] season right now,” he said. “We’re clear-headed, we’re ready to go into the playoffs strong with a new goal and a new mindset.”

Following the first two games in Saskatoon, the two teams will enjoy three days off over the Easter Weekend before the series resumes on Tuesday and Wednesday in Prince Albert.

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com