Game Preview: Blades Open 2019-20 in Prince Albert Tonight
September 20, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
Saskatoon Blades (0-0-0-0) at Prince Albert Raiders (0-0-0-0)
Date | Time Friday, Sept. 20th | 7:00 pm
Place Art Hauser Centre, SK
Video Stream WHL Live
Radio 98 COOL FM | Pre-Game Show w/ Les Lazaruk @ 6:00pm
Mobile App Apple | Android
Next Home Game 7:00pm Friday, Sept. 20th vs Swift Current Broncos
Social Media @BladesHockey| Facebook | Instagram
Last time they met: Dante Hannoun scored a hat trick as the Raiders defeated the Blades 6-3 in Game 6 of their second round series during the 2019 Western Hockey League Playoffs. The loss saw Saskatoon knocked out of the playoffs while Prince Albert went on to eventually win the Ed Chynoweth Cup.
What it means for Saskatoon: A win in Prince Albert tonight would not only be the first instalment in a 10 episode series of revenge, but would also be the first victory for the Blades at the Art Hauser Centre since March 16th, 2018. The game-winning-goal in that 2-1 matchup was scored by future captain and then 17-year-old Chase Wouters assisted by Braylon Shmyr.
The stat: The Prince Albert Raiders were only shutout once in the 2018-19 regular season - by Nolan Maier & the Saskatoon Blades on Sunday, December 9th, in a 1-0 outing at SaskTel Centre.
The match-up: Ozzy Wiesblatt vs. Kyle Crnkovic - both forwards had competitive rookie campaigns last season after being selected by their respective clubs at the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft. Each will be looked upon to build on their scoring totals this season following the departure of veteran scorers from the Raiders and the Blades.
It's a big night for: Nolan Kneen. If Kneen dresses against the Raiders in Prince Albert, the game will be his 250th career WHL game. In addition, if Kneen notches a point of any kind, it will go down as his 100th career WHL point. Kneen debuted on October 1st, 2014, for the Kamloops Blazers against the Swift Current Broncos. He finished his first WHL career game with an assist on the power play.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2019
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- Johnny Ludvig Named Winterhawks Captain - Portland Winterhawks
- Ethan Regnier Named Broncos Captain - Swift Current Broncos
- Rockets ready to open season with a clean slate - Kelowna Rockets
- Oil Kings Announce Leadership Group for 2019-20 Season - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Hitmen Announce 2019-20 Opening Night Roster - Calgary Hitmen
- Team WHL Coaching Staff Announced for 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series - WHL
- Winnipeg ICE Begin Inaugural Season against Provincial Rival Wheat Kings - Winnipeg Ice
- Cougars Sign Davin Griffin to a WHL Standard Player Agreement - Prince George Cougars
- WHL to Open 2019-20 Season this Evening - WHL
- Game 1 at Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
- 2019-2020 Season Preview - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Wheat Kings Host Provincial Rivals in Opener - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Preview: Blades Open 2019-20 in Prince Albert Tonight - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Preview: Pats Kick off the New Season at Home to Moose Jaw Friday - Regina Pats
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