ROUND 3 GAME 1 PREVIEW | Blades, Warriors begin series at SaskTel Centre
WHL PLAYOFFS | ROUND 3 GAME 1 | Saskatoon Blades (8-1) vs Moose Jaw Warriors (8-1)
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The wait is over. The all-Saskatchewan Eastern Conference Final gets underway tonight for Game 1 at SaskTel Centre between the Saskatoon Blades and Moose Jaw Warriors. It’s the first time an Eastern Conference Final features two Saskatchewan teams since 1993.
The Beasts of the East both come into tonight with a week of preparation, setting the stage for what is bound to be an instant classic. The stakes are higher than ever as both teams are all in on their first Ed Chynoweth Cup.
A massive crowd is expected for tonight’s game. Here’s some key things to be on the lookout for Game 1.{PURCHASE TICKETS}
DOORS OPEN @ 6:00PM
Doors are scheduled to open at 6:00pm tonight. Lower bowl seats are already gone and upper bowl tickets are going fast. Fans are encouraged to arrive early in order to proceed through security without delay and miss none of the action.
GIVEAWAYS
We’re happy to have our friends from Nutrien at Friday’s game. Their kiosk will be stationed at the top of Section E with free thundersticks for the first 500 fans who visit them!
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 50/50 JACKPOT
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 Game 1. 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
Anaheim Ducks prospect Egor Sidorov was named WHL Player of the Week on Monday. The 6-foot sniper recorded back-to-back hat-tricks in games 3 and 4 vs the Rebels and finished the series-clinching games with five points. Sidorov is the only player in the league with double-digit goals this postseason and leads the Blades in points with ten goals and four assists.
Egor Sidorov on the delayed penalty for his 8th of the postseason 🤩@AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/4YVtvIzYvW
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 18, 2024
The Sid-o-rama™@AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/fmcka2e9EV
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 18, 2024
Egor Sidorov with a 🔥 hat trick goal@AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/3kqMqOjewS
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 18, 2024
2005-born forward Rowan Calvert is getting hot ahead of playing his hometown team. The sophomore Blade has goals in back-to-back games, including a short-handed tally in Game 4 vs Red Deer. Calvert scored a career-high ten goals and 15 assists in 68 regular season games and has three points in nine postseason appearances this year.
Rowan Calvert turns on the jets for this gorgeous shorty pic.twitter.com/ER9UZLYmfY
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 18, 2024
NHL draft-eligible goalie Evan Gardner is a perfect 7-0 in his first postseason. The Fort St. John, BC native recorded his first playoff shutout in Game 4 vs the Rebels, stopping 26 shots. Gardner is ranked seventh amongst North American goalies last week by NHL Central Scouting, boasting a .928 save-percentage and a 1.66 goals-against average.