Max Heise fires a shot during the most recent meeting between the Raiders and Blades on Dec. 14. (Image Credit: Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

By Nick Nielsen

Highway 11 rivalry

Raiders have chance to clinch playoff spot with Highway 11 Rivalry weekend

Jan 31, 2026 | 10:55 AM

Coming into the weekend, the Prince Albert Raiders are riding an eight game winning streak and are jockying to be the top team in the WHL. All that recent success can be thrown out the window getting ready for this weekend however because it’s a Highway 11 Rivalry weekend as the Raiders first host the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday, then head to Saskatoon for the rematch Sunday. 

The weekend also has a chance for the Raiders to clinch a playoff spot. There’s a total of fourscenarios where the Raiders could clinch a playoff spot this weekend and all four scenarios would need the Raiders to earn at least two points more than what Red Deer earns this weekend.  

This is the the fourth time the season the Raiders and Blades will battle each other. The Raiders won the season opener on Sept. 19 4-2, the Blades won the next night Sept. 20 3-2 in overtime, and the Raiders won the most recent meeting back on Dec. 14 when they won 5-4.

That earlier mentioned eight game win streak has given the Raiders a four point lead at the top of the Eastern Conference, and up to a record of 36-6-4 (Wins-Losses-Overtime Losses), and the Raiders currently sit one point back of Everett for first in the league. Most recently, the Raiders have won 4-3 in Moose Jaw, 5-1 over Medicine Hat, and 6-1 over Swift Current. 

As for Saskatoon, the Blades are sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference, three points back ofBrandon in fifth, but a full 13 points ahead of Moose Jaw trying to catch them. The Blades are 24-19-4 on the year, but they’ve lost three straight games 5-2 on the road in Lethbridge, 4-1 in Medicine Hat, and 5-1 to Edmonton. 

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Looking at the special teams battle, the Raiders still boast the third ranked powerplay in the league although it has dipped down to 29.9% on the year. The penalty kill is red hot at home, operating just under 90%, but on the road it hasn’t worked well just below 70%, overall operating at 77.2% or 13th in the league. 

Saskatoon’s powerplay is right in the middle of the league at 11th, operating at about 25.3%. The Blades do have the edge in the penalty kill as they sit 10th in the league at 78.4%. 

Looking at leading scorers, Aiden Oiring and Daxon Rudolph are both still tied at the top of the Raiders standings with identical 21G-33A-54P stat lines. Brandon Gorzynski sits in the third spot with 23G-30A-53P, and Max Heise has moved up to fourth with 24G-24G-48P. 

Active point streaks: 

• Max Heise has 5G-8A in his last seven games 

• Brandon Gorzynski has 5G-4A in his last five games 

• Braeden Cootes has 2G-6A in his last four games 

• Alisher Sarkenov has 2G-2A in his last three games 

As for Saskatoon, it’s German David Lewandowski leads the way with 10G-32A-42P. Cooper Williams sits second on the team with 16G-23A-39P. Then there’s a tie for third between Rowan Calvert with 23G-15A-38P and Hunter Laing with 18G-20A-38P. 

Active point streaks: 

• David Lewandowski has 2G-1A in his last two games 

• Hunter Laing has 0G-2A in his last two games 

Finally on to the goaltender matchup, Michal Orsulak has brought his save percentage back up to 0.900 along with his third best in the league 2.45 goals against average, two shutouts, and a record of 16-4-3 on the year. Steele Bass has a save percentage up at 0.928, a 1.43 goals against average, one shutout, and a perfect 7-0-0 record. 

For the Blades, Evan Gardner has his save percentage up at 0.906, a 2.79 goals against average, two shutouts, and a record of 18-10-3 on the year. Behind him is Ryley Budd with a 0.902 save percentage, 2.80 goals against average, and a 2-3-1 record. 

The Raiders and Blades play two games in two nights, first at the Art Hauser Centre on Saturday at 7:00 p.m., then again Sunday night in Saskatoon at 4:00 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on 900 CKBI and Brandt Raider Radio with the pregame show beginning half an hour before puck drop. 

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nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com