Listen to this article
Estimated 4 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The Prince Albert Raiders have some unfinished business as they head into the Western Hockey League (WHL) Eastern Conference final.
After sweeping the rival Saskatoon Blades in four games, the Raiders open the third round of playoffs Friday night against the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Art Hauser Centre.
Medicine Hat was responsible for Prince Albert’s abrupt departure from last year’s playoffs before going on to win the WHL championship.
And the Raiders are ready for retribution.
“There is the opportunity [for] a little bit of payback,” said longtime Raiders colour commentator Martin Ring.
Martin Ring is the longtime colour commentator for the Prince Albert Raiders. (Aishah Ashraf/CBC)
“Medicine Hat, they spanked us pretty good in that playoff run last year, and rightfully so. Then they went on to win the league championship, so you don’t feel quite as bad.”
But there’s still some extra fuel to the series as all signs point to a heavyweight matchup.
Prince Albert finished the regular season as the top team in the Eastern Conference, while Medicine Hat enters as the defending WHL champion.
The two teams split their regular-season series 2-2, with the Tigers trailing just two points behind in the final standings.
LISTEN | Prince Albert Raiders face off against Medicine Hat in WHL’s Eastern Conference:
The 3066:52Prince Albert Raiders face off against Medicine Hat in WHL’s Eastern Conference
Nick Nielsen, play-by-play broadcaster for the Prince Albert Raiders, joins The 306 to talk about playing against the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Raiders’ first Eastern Conference Finals in seven years.
Ring has been part of Raiders radio broadcasts for nearly 25 years.
He described playoff hockey in Prince Albert as having a unique energy.
The anticipation has been building across the city — at grocery stores, care homes and anywhere fans can talk hockey, he said.
“It’s exciting. I’ve got a part-time gig at a local Family Foods store and the people come in and they just want to talk to me about hockey.”
Ring said one seniors’ care home has a Raiders flag flying outside, with residents and staff following along even if they can’t be in the rink.
The Art Hauser Centre is sold out for Game 1, with 3,299 fans expected in the building. (Aishah Ashraf/CBC)
The Art Hauser Centre is sold out for Game 1, with 3,299 fans expected in the building.
“That’s almost eight per cent of our city’s population,” Ring added. “It’s going to be fun. It’s loud, it’s exciting. You tend to get wrapped up in it as well.”
Fans around Prince Albert are also feeling the excitement before the puck drops.
Candy Robillard said the city has been showing its support with Raiders signs in windows and fans wearing team colours around town.
“It’s been really good, everybody’s cheering,” she said. “You see the Raider fans everywhere.”
Christopher Willford said Medicine Hat will be a tough opponent, but he believes the Saskatchewan team is stronger than the one that lost to the Tigers last season.
“I think it’s going to be a high-scoring game,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.”
The Raiders have won WHL championships in 1985 and 2019. The franchise’s only Memorial Cup win came in 1985. (Mark Peterson)
The Raiders previously won WHL championships in 1985 and 2019. The franchise’s only Memorial Cup win came in 1985.
Ring said another deep playoff run would mean a lot for a city that has strong ties to the team.
He leaves the Raiders with one simple message.
“Just take it one period at a time, one day at a time,” he urged. “You enjoy the victories, you learn from the defeat. The victories are always sweet, but you just have to take it one step at a time.”
Game 1 starts tonight at 7 p.m. CST in Prince Albert.
Game 2 is set for Saturday night, also at the Art Hauser Centre, before moving to the Tigers’ turf for Games 3 and 4 next week.
