Blades prepare for Raiders to begin quest for Ed Chynoweth Cup

The WHL’s regular season is over, and it was quite a year for the Saskatoon Blades.

The Blades won 50 games, finished with the best record in the WHL and saw a couple of players reach regular-season milestones that hadn’t been reached by a Saskatoon player in 28 years.

Yet as the Blades prepare for their first game of the playoffs Thursday night, all that occurred during the regular season was just preparation for their run at the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

That trophy is presented to the team that wins the WHL championship, and it’s a title the Blades are desperately hoping to claim for the first time ever.

The team’s quest for the cup begins with a best-of-seven series against the Prince Albert Raiders. The teams met in the final two games of the regular season, with the Blades coming out on top both times.

Blades head coach Brennan Sonne said his team has a great mentality heading into the playoffs.

“We view ourselves as a wolfpack,” said Sonne. “We’re just going to keep coming and coming, and we’re going to run and hunt and chase.”

Last year, the Blades continuously found themselves on their back foot in the playoffs. After dropping the first game of series against the Regina Pats, Red Deer Rebels and Winnipeg Ice, the importance of winning Thursday’s game is big for Saskatoon.

But Sonne said what happened last year isn’t taking up much space in anyone’s head this time around.

“It might be in the minds of some. That’s not in our minds,” said Sonne. “We want to play Blades hockey. We believe that when we play Blades hockey, we’re pretty tough to beat.”

A lot of eyes will be on Blades captain Trevor Wong after he ended the season with 101 points, becoming the first Blade to have a 100-point campaign since 1996.

While generating points in the playoffs can be difficult, Wong said he believes that if he sticks with what worked during the season, he will continue to see success.

“Obviously they are going to play us harder,” said Wong. “What helped me be successful this season I’m sticking to in this playoffs.”

The rivalry between the Raiders and Blades will continue to be felt over the next four to seven games, and Blades defenceman Charlie Wright said he’s excited to play against Prince Albert in the playoffs.

“I haven’t played them in the playoffs in my career yet,” said Wright. “It’s kind of cool to get that opportunity to play against the No. 1 rivals.”

This is Wright’s last playoff run with Blades, as the 20-year-old will age out of the league after the season. He said he is prepared to leave it all out on the ice.

“I’m excited. I’m ready to empty the tank (and) give it my all,” said Wright. “I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team go as far as we can.”

The Blades might be one of the most experienced teams when it comes to the WHL playoffs, with most of the core from last year’s run returning. They’ve also added Fraser Minten, who has played in 27 WHL playoff games and the Memorial Cup.

Minten said he feels like he can tap into that experience to control his emotions when it matters.

“I know how exciting it can be,” said Minten. “I know how emotional it can be too, so (that’s) all good experience to draw back on from trying not to get too high, not get too low, stay present (and) stay even-keeled.”