GAME 60 PREVIEW | Highway 11 rivalry begins weekend home-and-home series up north
WHL REGULAR SEASON | GAME 60 | Saskatoon Blades (31-21-3-4) @ Prince Albert Raiders (34-20-5-1)
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Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (31-21-3-4) look to move one step closer to clinching a WHL playoff berth as they visit the Art Hauser Centre to take on the Prince Albert Raiders (34-20-5-1).
Tonight marks the first game of a weekend home-and-home series between the Highway 11 rivals. It’s also the first of four times these two clubs meet this month as the race for first place in East Division heats up. The Blades are 1-2-1-0 against the Raiders this season but are only five points back of Prince Albert, who sit first in the East Division with 74 points. The magic number for the Blue and Gold to clinch a playoff spot is five points, either earned by themselves, or lost by the Red Deer Rebels. The Blades are third place in the East Division with 69 points, four back of the second-place Brandon Wheat Kings. The Blades have nine games left in the regular season and all of them are against East Division opponents. Saskatoon dropped their last contest 6-3 at home on Wednesday against the Swift Current Broncos.
Who to Watch
Rookie defenceman Jordan Martin scored his sixth goal of the season in Wednesday’s loss to Swift Current. The 2007-born blueliner has two goals in his last three games and four points (2G, 2A) in his last six. In 56 games, Martin has 12 points.
Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick Evan Gardner got his first taste of action between the pipes on Wednesday since February 2. The Fort St. John, BC goalie came in for relief of Ethan McCallum during the second period and made 14 saves on 15 shots. Gardner dealt with a lower-body injury throughout February but looked sharp in his return.
2006-born winger Willy James was named third star in Wednesday’s game against Swift Current. The Calgary, AB native dished two helpers, giving him eight points (1G, 7A) in his last 11 games. In 42 games, James has five goals and 13 assists.
