Blades try to keep playoff hopes alive in home game against Rebels

It’s a tough mountain to climb, but the Saskatoon Blades will have another opportunity to keep their WHL playoff hopes alive.

The Blades are down 3-1 in their second-round best-of-seven playoff series against the Red Deer Rebels after losing the first three games.

But the players aren’t getting down on themselves or getting ready to give up yet after a 4-2 victory in Red Deer on Wednesday night.

“I think it just shows how much we want to be here,” Blades defenceman Tanner Molendyk said.

“No one’s done in that room. Every guy wants it.”

It won’t be an easy task to beat the Rebels and advance, because it means winning four straight games.

Only two teams in WHL history have overcome a 0-3 deficit in a series; Spokane in 1996 and Kelowna in 2013.

Having home ice on Friday could be a big advantage for the Blades. According to Molendyk, it could help keep them in the playoffs.

“That building gets electric. I think going back and having (the fans) there, that’s going to be huge for us,” he said.

If the Blades are able to win Game 5 on Friday, Game 6 will take place back in Red Deer on Sunday night.

Puck drop at SaskTel Centre is set for 7 p.m.