'We view ourselves as a wolf pack': Saskatoon Blades set for playoff tilt against Raiders
The rivalry between the Prince Albert Raiders and Saskatoon Blades is about to heat up.
Both teams are set to clash in the first round of the WHL playoffs, which begin Thursday night at SaskTel Centre.
And although the stakes are high, and emotion couldn’t be higher, Blades head coach Brennan Sonne said his team will be disciplined.
“It’s on our wall, it’s part of our values — we view ourselves as a wolf pack. We’re just going to keep coming and coming and coming. And we’re gonna run and hunt and chase, and run and hunt and chase. And were just gonna’ keep coming. And you do that between the whistles,” Sonne said Monday.
“It has nothing to do with ego, or the war of words. There is no Connor McGregors in here. We’re just a wolf pack that are going to run and chase and hunt and bite and keep goin.”
The Blades downed the Raiders 5-0 on Saturday, and 5-1 on Friday night, capping off the season with two convincing victories over the first round playoff opponent.
Saskatoon finished with the best record in the WHL, notching their first 50-win season since 2010-11.
Prince Albert finished the season with 67 points, staying ahead of the Calgary Hitmen for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The last time the Blades and Raiders met in the playoffs was in the second round of 2019 when the Raiders took the series in six games. That season, Prince Albert went on to win the WHL Championship, defeating the Vancouver Giants in seven games.
The Blades are coming off a conference final appearance last season. It was the first appearance in the third round for Saskatoon since 1994.
This season, expectations are high for the Blades to overcome that barrier, and one player who brings playoff experience is Fraser Minten.
“I think I’ve played almost close to 30 games now in the playoffs, the memorial cup, too, so I’m used to it and know how exciting it can be. And how emotional it can be, too. So, I think all good experiences to draw back on from trying to not get too high and not get too low; stay present; stay even keeled and focus on the game,” Minten said.
Defenceman Charlie Wright says he will be feeding off the crowd.
“You can feel the energy in the building with lots of people there. You definitely get a little bit more amped up yourself too for these big time games.”
Tickets for games one and two went on sale Monday morning, with several sections in the upper bowl at SaskTel Centre opened up for fans.
Puck drop for game one is 7:00 p.m. on Thursday night.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Mookie Betts leads Dodgers past Blue Jays 4-2; Toronto drops fifth consecutive game
Mookie Betts went 3 for 5, including a triple and an RBI single, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Saturday.