Ticket punched as Blades defeat Raiders to advance to round 2

The message was simple for the Saskatoon Blades ahead of Friday night’s Game 5 of a first-round WHL playoff series against the Prince Albert Raiders.

Win and you move on.

The Blades did just that, winning 6-2 to end the best-of-seven series in five games.

It didn’t take long for the blue and yellow to get the crowd on its feet as Blades forward Brandon Lisowsky found the back of the net just three and a half minutes into the game.

The goal was unassisted but it was an all-out effort from Blades defenceman Ben Saunderson, who managed to keep the puck in the zone as he chipped it up to Lisowsky for the goal.

The Blades didn’t stop there as they began to pour it on as Saunderson, Alexander Suzdalev and Fraser Minten all found the back of the net making it 4-0 Saskatoon 12 and a half minutes into the game.

Raiders forward Niall Crocker got one of his own to make it 4-1 before the end of the first period.

Going back to the last week of the regular season, Blades head coach Brennan Sonne was talking about the Blades playing a desperation level of hockey, and in a game where your opposition is fighting for their lives, Sonne believes his squad played that exact level of desperation hockey.

“Definitely in the start,” said Sonne. “Once it got 4-0, then 4-1 and then the second period was kind of null, the game changes a little bit and you’re just kind of playing differently. It’s not like we were chasing the game.”

Near the end of the first period Raiders defenceman Justice Christensen collided with Blades goalie Evan Gardner.

Gardner finished the first period, but Austin Elliott took over the duties in net to start the second period.

Blades forward Easton Armstrong also didn’t return to the Blades’ bench after the first period.

There is no update at this time on their condition.

The second period was quiet on the goal front.

But Raiders forward Krzysztof Macias received a five-minute major and game misconduct for a hit to the head on Blades forward Lucas Hansen.

The Blades were unable to capitalize on the power play, though.

In the third period Prince Albert made it interesting as Raiders forward Harrison Lodewyk beat Elliott to pull P.A. within two.

The Raiders then pulled their goalie two different times in the final four minutes and Blades forward Trevor Wong and Blades defenceman Charlie Wright both found the back of the net giving the Blades the 6-2 lead.

As the clock slowly ticked down to zero, all 9,869 fans in attendance were on their feet cheering as the Blades punched their ticket to the second round.

Sonne said he loved the atmosphere all series long.

“I really enjoyed the fandom,” said Sonne. “I loved the crowds we got, I enjoyed even the crowds they had, it felt like a real true playoff series.”

One of the most influential plays of the game came from Lisowsky in the second period.

As a Raiders penalty was ending, the puck made its way up to the Raiders player leaving the box, giving him a breakaway. But Lisowsky turned on the burners and knocked the puck away to stop a prime scoring chance.

Lisowsky says he’s glad he caught the Raider because it could’ve been a different game if he didn’t.

“I saw a guy out of the box (and) I just wanted to catch him,” said Lisowsky. “It could’ve been a different game if he scored that … (I) got to show off my 200-foot game of myself.”

Not many fans were heading to the doors after that final buzzer went as they stuck around to show their support during the three stars announcement.

Lisowsky says the fans make Saskatoon the best place to play hockey.

“It means a lot. I think a lot of the younger guys really have to soak it in,” said Lisowsky, “and kind of see how amazing Blades fans are and I still think it’s the best place to play, best fans and best organization.”

The Blades will now see a familiar face in the second round as the team has a date with the Red Deer Rebels, creating a rematch from last year’s playoffs that saw the Blades come back from a 3-0 series deficit. 

Lisowsky believes the Rebels’ style of play is similar to the Raiders.

“They play very physical, they’ve got some skilled guys, (and) they’ve got a good goalie,” said Lisowsky. “I think we’ve just got to believe and hopefully we can win a Game 1.”

Game 1 will take place on Friday at SaskTel Centre.

While the Blades will now turn their attention to Red Deer and Round 2, this is the end of the road for the Raiders.

Raiders head coach Jeff Truitt said this was a good development year for his squad.

“Getting sent to the playoffs (was a) real good education for everybody,” said Truitt. “You feel bad for our 20 year-olds and that ends their season.”