ROUND 2 GAME 3 PREVIEW | Blades return home for crucial Game 3 against Raiders
Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More
As the old saying goes, you’re not in trouble until you lose one at home.
The Saskatoon Blades return to SaskTel Centre for Round 2 Game 3 presented by Discover Saskatoon against the Prince Albert Raiders. Puck drop is 7:00pm.
The Bridge Bunch trail the Raiders 2-0 in the best-of-seven second round Western Hockey League (WHL) playoff series presented by Nutrien. Saskatoon fell 6-1 and 3-0 in games 1 and 2 on the road at the Art Hauser Centre over the weekend.
“We’ve earned our right to be here, and we’ve just got to show that we’re capable of playing with these teams,” said Blades Head Coach Dan DaSilva, “The focus is on us, and we haven’t been at our best yet, let’s be honest. We’ve made some poor decisions, I think there could be some nerves there.”
Saskatoon is 1-1-1 on home ice this postseason. Blades captain Tyler Parr says while it isn’t an elimination game for his squad, they need to treat it as such
“We’ve got to have that desperation. It’s the first to four wins, but we’re back home now, we’ve got to get a win. It’s a huge game for us.”
A win this evening would force a Game 5 back in Prince Albert on Friday night and give the Blades a chance to tie the series on home ice tomorrow in Game 4. A loss for Saskatoon would leave them vulnerable for elimination tomorrow night at 7:00pm.
The good guys
NHL Draft-eligible winger Zach Olsen has the lone goal for the Bridge City Bunch this series. The 2008-born forward scored a powerplay goal in the third period of Game 1 to give him two goals and four assists in eight games this postseason. The Blades’ powerplay is 22% on home ice in the 2026 WHL Playoffs and 1/6 in the series. Edmonton Oilers draft pick David Lewandowski and Calgary Flames draft pick Hunter Laing are tied for the team lead in scoring with three goals and five assists for eight points each. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner is 4-3-2 this postseason with a .911 save percentage (SV%) and 2.82 goals against average (GAA).
The opposition
The Raiders improved to 5-0 this postseason on home ice after wins in games 1 and 2. NHL Draft-eligible netminder Michal Orsulak earned his second shutout of the playoffs with a 15-save performance in Game 2. The 6-foot-4 goalie is 6-1 in the postseason with a .911 SV% and 1.57 GAA. Sophomore defenceman Daxon Rudolph leads the team in scoring this postseason with four goals and seven assists for 11 points in seven games. The first overall pick of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft also has the most points this series with a goal and three assists across two games. Prince Albert’s penalty kill went 3/3 in Game 3, improving to 73.7% in the playoffs.
Watch & Listen
Coverage for Game 3 of Round 2 presented by Discover Saskatoon is FREE on Victory+ TV. Blades Communications Manager Tanner Chubey and 650 CKOM’s Scott Roblin get you ready for the action at 6:45pm with the Pre-Game Show. Stick around for in-depth analysis from Chubey and Roblin during intermissions, and watch all the action for FREE on Victory+ TV. Head to victoryplus.com to watch or sign up and make your free account today.
