ROUND 2 GAME 1 PREVIEW | Blades, Rebels playoff rematch begins in Saskatoon
WHL PLAYOFFS | ROUND 2 GAME 1 | Saskatoon Blades (4-1) vs Red Deer Rebels (4-1)
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The Saskatoon Blades and Red Deer Rebels meet in Round 2 of the WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien for a second straight postseason. There’s plenty of history between the two Eastern Conference rivals after the Blades reverse swept the Rebels at last year’s spring dance, becoming the third team in WHL history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
After defeating the Prince Albert Raiders in five games in Round 1, the Scotty Munro Memorial Champion Blades continue their push towards the franchise’s first ever Ed Chynoweth Trophy. Game 1 is set for 7:00pm tonight at SaskTel Centre!
DOORS OPEN @ 6:00PM
Doors are scheduled to open at 6:00pm tonight. More sections have opened in the upper bowl for both games as a large crowd is expected each night. Fans are encouraged to arrive early in order to proceed through security without delay and miss none of the action.
ORIGINAL 16 FOUNDERS LOUNGE OPEN ALL GAME
The Original 16 Founders Lounge will be open all game long. The bar in the lounge will stay open after the game so you can enjoy refreshments while watching the live post-game show with Les Lazaruk and Adam Ehrmantraut.
PROGRAMS
Programs are available for just $1 at the top of Section E so you can follow along your favourite Blade throughout the night.
GUARANTEED $25,000 JACKPOT BOTH GAMES
This week is two chances to walk home with some major cash! Our JP’s Synthetic Turf and Construction 50/50 jackpot is a guaranteed $25,000 for games 1 and 2. You can purchase tickets online ANYWHERE in Saskatchewan on the day of the game when our 50/50 link goes live at 9:00am.
*Must be 19+
Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (4-1) and Red Deer Rebels (4-1) meet in Round 2 of the WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien for a second straight season. The Blades became the third team in league history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit when they reverse-swept the Rebels last spring.
After dropping Game 1 in Round 1 vs the Prince Albert Raiders, the Blades won four straight to eliminate their Highway 11 rival in five games. Game 1 hasn’t been kind to the Bridge City Bunch in recent memory. The last time Saskatoon won the opening game of a series was Round 1 in 2019 when former captain Chase Wouters scored the overtime winner against the Moose Jaw Warriors. The last time the Blades won Game 1 in regulation was Mar. 26th, 2011 at home in an 8-1 victory over the Raiders.
Who to Watch
21-year-old forward Easton Armstrong became public enemy number one in Prince Albert with his dominance in Round 1. The Denver, CO product finished the series with five goals and eight points, both leading the team. Armstrong’s three powerplay tallies were also the most on the club. The 6-foot-3 winger didn’t need much opportunity to score, burying five goals on just six shots through five games.
It really isn't the #WHLPlayoffs without some WHOA-vertime magic.
Lucky for us, six games in Round One needed extra innings.#FeedingtheFuture pic.twitter.com/orkH5yEPk3
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 10, 2024
Rookie netminder Evan Gardner went a perfect 4-0 in Round 1 of the postseason. The NHL draft-eligible goalie stopped 31-of-32 shots in his playoff debut in Game 2, helping the Blades to a 4-1 victory. The reigning WHL Goalie of the Month is also the East Division finalist for WHL Humanitarian of the Year, and WHL Rookie of the Year.
Rookie forward Willy James leads all Blades rookies with two points in four games this postseason. The Calgary, AB native recorded two helpers in Game 4 vs the Raiders, the first two of his postseason career. James is still on the hunt for his first ever WHL goal.