Contacts, Blazers renew postseason rivalry

At last. It’s finally playoff time.

It’s the crosstown rivalry — postseason edition. After four regular-season meetings, the Saskatoon Contacts and Saskatoon Blazers will meet once again, but this time in the playoffs.

Game 1 of the best-of-five SMAAAHL quarter-final series gets underway on Friday night at Rod Hamm Memorial Arena, before the series shifts back to Merlis Belsher Place on Sunday afternoon for a 2:00 p.m. puck drop.

The return to the postseason means the return of playoff hockey for the Contacts who will play their first playoff game in more than two years on Friday night.

Up front for the Contacts, it all begins with Berk Catton. Catton was the most dominant player in the SMAAAHL since the second-year Contact joined the team in December.

Catton — who became the WHL’s first-ever first-overall pick in the 2021 WHL Draft after he was selected number-one by the Spokane Chiefs — recorded 41 points in 21 regular-season games. His 1.95 point-per-game ranked first in the SMAAAHL. 

On the back end, Noah Chadwick leads the way. The Lethbridge Hurricanes prospect and captain of the Contacts led the team in points with 45 in 42 games — the most among a Contacts blueliner since the 2010-11 season. 

Chase Wutzke — a second-round selection of the Red Deer Rebels in the 2021 WHL Draft — has been counted upon all season long by Dale Lambert and company and that figures to continue in this quarter-final series.

While at the opposite end of the ice, Eric Kahl and Alex Garrett have shared the Blazers crease all season long. Kahl sported a 17-4-0 record, along with a 2.60 goals-against-average and .891 save-percentage, while Garrett finished the regular-season with a 17-5-0 record, 2.66 goals-against-average and .904 save-percentage. 

Roger McQueen led the Blazers in scoring with 61 points in 41 games, while Hudson Malinoski had a team-leading 31 goals, to go along with 60 points.

Top-end talent will line up all over the ice in and if the regular-season matchups are any indication of what’s to come — we’re in for a treat.

As mentioned, Game 2 gets underway at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Merlis Belsher Place. All kids wearing a Saskatoon Minor Hockey jersey will get in for free. There is a guaranteed 50/50 of $1,000 up for grabs. Smukers Lounge will be open to all current players' families, friends and billets, as well as all alumni including past players, coaches and volunteers.