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NHL hockey hits Saskatoon

Sep 28, 2014 | 9:13 AM

It should be a fun afternoon at Saskatoon's Credit Union Centre Sunday afternoon.

The Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks are in town for a little NHL pre-season hockey.

Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov, Justin Schultz and this year’s third overall pick Leon Draisaitl will be in the Oilers lineup.

Two time Stanley Cup champion Duncan Keith, Andrew Shaw and Kris Versteeg will be in the Blackhawks lineup.

Oilers captain Andrew Ference said it's nice to take their game on the road during training camp.

“It’s fun. It’s something to look forward to,” said Ference. “Obviously guys from the WHL have played in Saskatoon before, so for them it’s kind of like going back to their junior days.”

The Oilers are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005-06. That year they lost in the Stanley Cup final to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Needless to say fans are itching to see the Oilers back in the post season and Ference said it’s all about guys maturing and taking that next step.

“I think as our younger stars start to mature they’re starting to see the smaller pictures within a season,” said Ference.

“They’re trying not to get lost in only making playoffs but having a concrete map of how to actually do it.”

Puck drop at CUC is 4pm. 

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