Raiders eliminate Blades, Conference Final Matchups

Raiders eliminate Blades in six-game series

The final remaining series in the WHL’s second round ended on Sunday night as the Prince Albert Raiders eliminated the Saskatoon Blades with a 6-3 victory in the sixth game of their semi-final series. Raiders forward Justin Nachbaur served the first game of his two-game suspension. He will now be eligible to return in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final.  The win marked the 66th playoff victory for Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid tying him for ninth-place on the all-time list with Ken Hitchcock. With Habscheid’s next victory he will tie Don Nachbaur and Willie Desjardins for eighth place.

Conference Final Match-Ups set

With Prince Albert’s win over Saskatoon, we now know who will be meeting in the Conference Finals. The Raiders will be taking on the Edmonton Oil Kings while the Spokane Chiefs will be meeting the Vancouver Giants out west. Both series are slated to begin on Friday night in Prince Albert and Vancouver respectively.

WHL Alumni Update

Medicine Hat Tigers alumni Dylan MacPherson registered his first career AHL point on Sunday night as his shot was redirected by fellow WHL and Tigers alumni Dryden Hunt.

At the NHL level, Brandon Wheat Kings alumni Mark Stone recorded his first career hat-trick in a five-point night as his Vegas Golden Knights defeated the San Jose Sharks.

Former Seattle Thunderbird Dustin Johner announced his retirement after a 15-year pro career. In 291 WHL games, Johner registered 272 points. His pro career saw stops in South Carolina (ECHL), Lowell (AHL), Las Vegas (ECHL), Rochester (AHL) and Florida (ECHL) before heading to Europe for the 2007-08 season.

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star:  Prince Albert’s Dante Hannoun had a hat-trick on four shots for the Raiders

2nd Star: Prince’s Albert’s Brett Leason had two assists and five shots.

3rd Star: Prince Albert’s Noah Gregor had two assists and four shots.

Honourable Mentions

The Saskatoon Blades’ graduating players: Dawson Davidson (191 points in 301 games with Saskatoon, Regina, and Kamloops) Max Gerlach (251 points in 278 games split between Saskatoon and Medicine Hat) and Brandon Schuldhaus (78 points in 250 games with Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Red Deer and Seattle)