GAME 3 PREVIEW | Saskatoon Blades at Prince Albert Raiders – Sept. 25, 2026
First game of home-and-home weekend between Blades and Raiders
Saskatoon, SK – Another chapter will be written in the Highway 11 rivalry as the Saskatoon Blades (0-1-1-0) visit the Art Hauser Centre on Friday at 7:00 p.m. MT to take on the Prince Albert Raiders (1-1-0-0).
Tonight’s the first contest of a home-and-home weekend between the two clubs and the final bout of a three-game season opening road trip for the Blue and Gold. Saskatoon welcomes Prince Albert on Saturday, Sept. 26 for the Go Merlin Ford Lincoln Home Opener at 7:00 p.m.
It’s also the first of eight meetings between the two clubs since Game 4 of the 2026 Western Hockey League (WHL) second round series, where the Blades were eliminated at the hands of Prince Albert.
“Their fans don’t like us too much, but it’s a fun building to go into,” said newly named Blades captain Brayden Klimpke. “It’s loud, it gives you a lot of energy. I enjoy playing there.”
Tonight’s Klimpke’s first game dawning the “C” after being named 65th captain in franchise history on Thursday. The Montreal Canadiens draft pick is flanked by alternate captains in forward Hunter Laing, Cooper Williams, and Kazden Mathies.
“It’s a huge honour,” said Klimpke. “You look at the guys who have worn this jersey and this letter on their jersey, it’s a pretty special list. Just to be able to throw on this jersey every day, I don’t take that for granted. Playing for the Blades means the world to me.”
Klimpke was named Tempo WHL Player of the Week on Monday for the week ending in September 20. The 19-year-old blueliner scored a highlight reel goal on opening night Friday, Sept. 18 against the Brandon Wheat Kings. The left-handed shot added a pair of assists in the 5-4 loss. Klimpke picked up right where he left off the next night in Moose Jaw with a pair of goals against the Warriors in a 7-6 overtime defeat. The captain says while the accolade is nice, the two points at the end of the game are most important to him.
“It’s pretty cool, it’s the first one I’ve got. Definitely a good start to the year for myself, but would’ve felt better with two wins.”
Laing will serve as an assistant captain for a second consecutive season. The 20-year-old winger opened the season with a powerplay goal against the Wheat Kings, followed by a career high five-point (2G, 3A) night in Moose Jaw. Laing leads the WHL in scoring after opening weekend with a trio of goals and assists in two games.
“It’s an honour to wear a letter in a great organization,” said Laing. “When the players and coaches see you as a leader, it’s a good thing. I’m happy to wear one.”
Mathies will wear a letter for the first time in his WHL career. The former Seattle Thunderbird is entering his second full season with the Blades and fourth full WHL season. Mathies scored a short-handed goal on opening night vs. Brandon to bring the Blades within one in the final five minutes of the game. The Martensville, SK native followed it up with a two-assist and +3 performance against the Warriors.
“I’ve been watching this team my whole life,” said Mathies. “Like, growing up in Martensville, I’ve always dreamed of playing here, and now wearing letter is something special.”
Williams will be an alternate captain with Saskatoon for the first time in his career. The third-year Blade was drafted by Saskatoon in the second round (41st overall) at the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. Williams was named a WHL Rookie of the Year Finalist in the 2024-25 WHL season, scoring 57 points (21G, 36A) in 68 games at 16-years-old. Williams recorded another 57-point campaign last year in two less games. Following an impressive sophomore campaign, the centre was drafted in the fifth round (158th overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the NHL Entry Draft.
“Last year, I think I was trying to get better at that through the year. “You’re still kind of a younger guy, second year in the league. Then this year, coming in as an 18-year-old, you’re kind of growing into that older role, so trying to implement that leadership and trying to be a louder voice for the younger guys.”
The Blades have several reinforcements on the way for tonight’s game. 2007-born forward David Lewandowski could play his first game of the season after returning from Edmonton Oilers Training Camp and NHL preseason action this morning. The 6-foot-3 winger led the Blades in scoring last season with 17 goals and 48 assists for 65 points in 57 games.
HE’SSSSSSSSSSS BACCCCCKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/NwvaZxrOc9
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 25, 2026
6-foot-6 netminder Martin Psohlavec is also expected to make his first career WHL start between the pipes. The Philadelphia Flyers draft pick arrived back in Saskatoon early in the week following a stint at Flyers Training Camp and preseason.
The Blades enter tonight hungry for the first win of the season. Saskatoon scored ten goals through the first two games, tied for the most after opening weekend. The Blades have the most goals against thus far with 12.
The Good Guys
Williams averaged two points per game after opening weekend. The third-year forward notched a helper opening night against the Wheat Kings. Williams expanded his production the following night with a goal and two assists against the Warriors and a +3 rating.
2007-born forward Yegor Guysev could also make his WHL debut tonight. The Russian sniper sustained a lower-body injury ahead of the season opener last week, keeping him out of the lineup for the first two games.
The Opposition
The Raiders scored nine goals and allowed goals opening weekend, leaving with a 1-1-0-0 record. Prince Albert beat Regina 7-4 in their home opener one week ago, but fell the following night 5-2 on the road against the Swift Current Broncos.
Watch & Listen
Coverage for tonight’s game begins at 6:45 p.m. MT on 600CJWW with the Pre-Game Show, hosted by the Voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk and Blades Communications Manager Tanner Chubey. Fans can watch the game for FREE on the WHL’s YouTube Channel.
The Saskatoon Blades Home Opener presented by Go Merlin Ford Lincoln is on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 7:00pm vs. the Prince Albert Raiders. Single game tickets are on sale NOW! Purchase yours HERE today.
