Buzz building for Blades’ playoff run a month before chase for cup begins

The WHL playoffs don’t start for more than a month, but in Saskatoon the hype is already building for what could be a lengthy and historic run for the Blades.

On Saturday, the Blades became the first team in the WHL this season to clinch a playoff spot after they beat the Prince Albert Raiders 6-1 at SaskTel Centre.

Because they clinched their playoff berth, the Blades put 3,000 playoff passes on sale on Monday. For an adult price of $129.99, Blades fans can attend every single home playoff game.

Since the passes went on sale less than 48 hours ago, Jordy Jones, the Blades’ brand and promotions manager, said they’re on the verge of running out.

“The phones didn’t stop ringing the whole day I was here yesterday. Our ticket staff definitely has their hands full,” he said on Tuesday. “It hasn’t really slowed down, and I think we’ll get to (3,000) by today.”

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Jones said it’s not the first time the Blades have run this type of promotion.

“We have done this for quite a few years now, and it’s something our fans enjoy. Last year it was a pretty good deal, and so we dropped them yesterday at 10 a.m.,” Jones explained.

“Usually what we try to do is get most of the lower bowl full and get that atmosphere.”

Jones said it’s unlikely that the Blades will be putting up more playoff passes up for sale once they’re sold out of their initial inventory.

The Blades have been ranked as the top seed in the WHL for the last three weeks. Jones said that’s led to strong jersey sales, especially for star players like captain Trevor Wong, Nashville Predators first-round pick Tanner Molendyk and newly acquired Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect Fraser Minten.

Jones said the newly acquired talent is also bringing some fans back to the arena for the first time in a long time.

“I would say the more interesting part is talking to people on the concourse who hadn’t come for quite a while. Some of them came as teenagers or early 20s in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 years, and hadn’t been back until last year,” he said.

“Now they have kids of their own, so then they’re fully invested again. That’s been the most cool thing for me.”

As of Tuesday, the Blades owned a record of 39-9-2-3 and have 83 points.

Barring a major collapse by the Blades, they will have home-ice advantage for the duration of the WHL playoffs if they make it to the championship series.

The Blades have a home record of 23-1-1 through 25 games this season.