Blades douse Raiders 5-2 in home opener, sweep weekend series

Blades douse Raiders 5-2 in home opener, sweep weekend series

Blades sweep three stars in home opener, get goals from Hayden Harsanyi, David Lewandowski, Hunter Laing, and Kazden Mathies

Saskatoon, SK – Good things in life are worth waiting for, which was the case for Saskatoon Blades fans at the beginning of the 2026-27 Western Hockey League (WHL) season.

The Bridge City Bunch (2-1-1-0) returned to SaskTel Centre for the Go Merlin Ford Home Lincoln Home Opener and beat the Prince Albert Raiders (1-3-0-0) 5-2 on Saturday. After going 1-1-1-0 on a season-opening three-game road trip, the Blades put on a show for the home crowd.

“Guys are really buying into their roles and embracing their roles,” said Blades Head Coach Dan DaSilva. “Then, just like, embracing each other, right, and that’s the biggest part. We really played like a team this weekend, which is cool to see this early in the season.”

Edmonton Oilers draft pick David Lewandowski scored the game-winning goal in the third period and collected an assist the same frame to earn first star. Saturday marked the third game in as many nights for the 19-year-old winger. Lewandowski played Thursday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC during NHL preseason action with the Oilers in a 2-1 victory. The German import played last night in the opening win of the home-and-home series against Prince Albert, finishing the weekend with a pair of goals and assists across the weekend.

“It’s not unusual,” said Lewandowski on his busy schedule. “We have a lot of games here (the WHL) anyways, so, it’s just another game, another day, and keep going.”

20-year-old winger Hunter Laing was named second star with a pair of goals in the win, including his second powerplay goal of the year. The Kelowna, BC native is off to a rapid start, scoring five goals and four assists during his season-opening four-game point streak. Laing’s nine points leads the WHL in scoring through two weekends.

“It’s been good, you know, I’ve put in the work this summer, playing with good linemates, and everything’s clicking right now,” said Laing. “It’s only four games into the season, so I have to keep my head down and keep working.”

Philadelphia Flyers draft pick Martin Psohlavec picked up his second win in as many nights with a 24-save performance between the pipes. The evening’s third star turned aside 50 shots across his first two career WHL games this weekend. DaSilva says the 6-foot-6 netminder is a difference maker in games.

“He’s a really good goalie. I don’t know what else to say honestly. He’s made some big saves for us.”

Things didn’t start as planned for the Blue and Gold when Raiders forward Riley Boychuk opened the scoring 1:42 into the game with his first of the season. The 2009-born winger made no mistake on a rebound given up by Psohlavec after forward Owen Corkish’s shot. Despite outshooting the visitors 11-6, Saskatoon went into first intermission trailing 1-0.

2007-born forward Hayden Harsanyi tied the game 1:42 into the middle frame with his first goal of the season. The Calgary, AB native led the team in shots last night against Prince Albert, this time finding the scoresheet. Harsanyi has a goal and an assist through four games.

HAYDEN HARSANYI WITH THE FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON AT @SaskTelCtr 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Oceu0shhtT

— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 27, 2026

Laing potted his fourth goal of the campaign with 5:13 remaining in the second. Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Cooper Williams collected the primary assist to extend his season-opening point streak to four games (1G, 5A). Saskatoon’s own Jack Lavallee picked up his first assist of the season on the go-ahead goal as well.

So much is happening at Home Opener but BANG, BANG, HUNTER LAING! pic.twitter.com/UwR2nGOYxE

— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 27, 2026

Lewandowski lit the lamp 2:23 into the final period to make it 3-1 Saskatoon. 19-year-old winger Konstantin Hutzinger registered his first career WHL point with an assist on the goal. Yorkton, SK’s own Ben Bowtell earned himself the secondary helper.

DAVID LEWANDOWSKI ON THE DOORSTEP 🚨🚨🚨@EdmontonOilers pic.twitter.com/NxdflcgOVf

— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 27, 2026

Laing scored his team-leading fifth goal of the year just over four minutes later to make it 4-1. The goal marked Saskatoon’s first powerplay goal of the evening, scoring once on seven attempts.

LAING HAS HIS SECOND OF THE NIGHT 🚨🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/QETLhQsjce

— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 27, 2026

Saskatoon’s penalty kill went 4/5 but surrendered a goal to Connor Howe with 5:10 left in regulation. The Prince Albert, SK product has four goals on the season.

In the final minute of the game, Saskatoon was up against a 6-on-4 for Prince Albert after a Williams high-sticking penalty. Alternate captain Kazden Mathies rifled a shot the length of the ice into the Raiders’ empty net with 11 seconds remaining for his third goal of the season. The Martensville, SK native has one goal on the powerplay, two short-handed goals, and two assists through four games.

The Bridge City Bunch play five of the next six games on home ice. The next time they hit the ice is Friday, Oct. 2 for $5 Night at SaskTel Centre against the Red Reer Rebels at 7:00 p.m. MT. Tickets, burgers, and beer are $5 all night long.

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