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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Hunting Victory vs. Rival Raiders

April 8, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Prince Albert Raiders (4-7-1-1) @ Saskatoon Blades (9-2-2-0)

Date | Time Thursday, April 8th | 6:00pm MT

Place Brandt Centre, Regina, SK

Video Stream WHL Live

Radio 98 COOL FM | Pre-Game Show w/ Les Lazaruk @ 5:30pm MT

Mobile App Apple | Android

What's Next Saturday, April 10th vs. Moose Jaw Warriors (8:00pm MT)

Social Media @BladesHockey| Facebook | Instagram

City of Saskatoon Game Day Preview

The Saskatoon Blades (9-2-2-0) look to reignite their scoring touch as they welcome the Prince Albert Raiders (4-7-1-1) into the Brandt Centre. After going undefeated in seven straight, the Blades will look to end a three-game slide, while the Prince Albert Raiders return to the rink following a gritty 3-2 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Over this recent slump, Saskatoon has mustered just three goals - one of which on the powerplay - which is a stark contrast to their output throughout the month of March averaging 4.3 goals per game.

This is the third of four meetings between the two rivals, with the Blades earning two hard-fought victories on March 29th (4-0) and March 19th (3-1).

Despite the Raiders' record, Saskatoon should expect a difficult team to play against. Prince Albert tested the first-place Brandon Wheat Kings on Monday night, narrowly falling 3-2, and come into this one fresh off two days' rest.

Tale of the Tape

There's never a shortage of drama when these two rivals clash, and the last meeting was no exception.

Blades captain Chase Wouters was handed a three-game suspension for cross-checking Raiders star Ozzy Wiesblatt late in the game, and defenceman Rhett Rhinehart served a two-game suspension for supplemental discipline. The two teams shared 52-minutes worth of penalties before the Blades took the victory by a 4-0 score.

Historically, Saskatoon maintains a sizable advantage over Prince Albert, posting a 6-2-0-0 record against the Raiders last season. Over the last five years, the Blades have won 16 out of 26 against their Highway 11 rivals.

Mini Shark

San Jose Sharks prospect Tristen Robins is enjoying a strong campaign as he begins the second half.

The 2001-born centreman sits second in team-scoring with 15 points (7G-8A) and leads the club with three powerplay goals. Over the last five games, Robins has collected six points (2G-4A), including a three-point performance last Monday against the Raiders.

His recent surge up the scoring charts earned Robins a place on the East Division's Team of the Week presented by RE/MAX. The Clear Lake, MB product is the lone NHL draft pick on the Blades roster - selected in the 2nd round (56th overall) by the San Jose Sharks last fall.

Who to Watch

Veteran captain Chase Wouters returned from a three-game suspension Tuesday, but was held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 overtime loss to Winnipeg. The three-year captain has points in four of his last five games, collecting nine points (4G-5A) in that time. The pending WHL graduate also has the most penalty minutes of any Blade with 25.

Speedy centreman Tristen Robins scored his team-leading seventh of the season against Brandon, and is also no stranger to the scoresheet against PA, racking up a team-high five points (1G-4A).

Veteran goaltender Nolan Maier has played some of his best hockey against the Raiders, stopping a combined 41 of 42 shots for a .976 save percentage.

On the Record

#23 | EVAN PATRICIAN

HEAD COACH | MITCH LOVE

Ecologik Game Day 50/50...

24 games mean 24 chances to win a hefty cash prize through our Ecologik Game Day 50/50!

Purchase your tickets online beginning 1 hour prior to puck drop for every Blades game during the 2021 season. Participants must be of legal age to purchase and live in the Saskatoon area to purchase. Tickets are:

1 for $10

10 for $20

30 for $30

You know the drill: winner takes half the pot and the other half goes towards the Saskatoon Blades Player Education Fund.

Need to Know Love winning as much as we do? Download the Blades official mobile app, powered by SaskTel, and try your hand at some of our in-app games!

You have the chance to win a Hockey Gives Blood prize pack if you correctly predict the player who scores our first goal! Or put your puzzle-solving skills to the test with our photo scramble, featuring a new player and photo every game day.

The Blades official app has so much more to offer, giving our fans a new, interactive way to engage with their favourite team this season. It's available to download on Apple and Android devices!

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2021


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