It all comes down to one game.

It all comes down to one game.

After losing in double overtime, 3-2, at home on Easter Sunday, the Saskatoon Blades’ playoff series against the Edmonton Oil Kings will be decided Monday in a one-game showdown, with the series tied three games apiece.

As would be expected in an elimination game, tempers ran hot, and play was closely contested on Sunday. Those tempers threatened to spill over early in the first when Edmonton goalie Parker Snell got knocked into the net while making a save, resulting in a dog-pile in the crease, but nothing was called. The Oil Kings would get their own back shortly after as Aaron Obobaifo, who missed the last few games of the series with an injury, opened the scoring for the game.

Emotions continued to escalate, though, and Hunter Laing and Kanjyu Gojsic would be sent to the box for roughing after the whistle, but officials stepped in before they could drop the gloves. A high-sticking penalty to Brayden Klimpke would land the Blades in deeper trouble as it allowed Gavin Hodnett to deflect a shot in the net on the power-play for a second Oil Kings goal. As if apologizing, Klimpke answered immediately with a goal of his own to get Saskatoon on the board and end the period 2-1 in favour of Edmonton.

Tension was still high as play entered the second period, and both sides were fiercely protective of the crease between whistles. A power play early in the period gave Saskatoon the chance to even the score, but a strong Edmonton penalty kill stopped the Blades from keeping the puck in the offensive zone. In fact, both teams played so well defensively and were so evenly matched that the period was scoreless. After the buzzer, though, another scuffle broke out and continued with harsh words as the teams congregated at the benches, with officials eventually ordering both teams off the ice.

Play had been incredibly even in the second period, but in the third, the Oil Kings showed dominance in puck possession and offensive-zone time. Saskatoon goaltender Evan Gardner was tested several times but stood up to the challenge. The game got rougher in the third as well, with both teams seeking to gain an upper hand. While the Oil Kings continued to have a slight edge, it was still a very back-and-forth hockey game. Time, however, was not on the home team’s side. As the clock moved south of two minutes remaining, Gardner headed to the bench for the extra skater. However, even with the extra attacker, the Blades’ offence seemed scattered and unorganized. Then, with ten seconds left in regulation, the Blades were awarded an offensive zone draw and called a timeout. Just after, Cooper Williams scored off the faceoff with seven seconds remaining in overtime, and the Blades were headed to overtime.

SUPER COOPER HATCHES A MASSIVE GOAL WITH 7.0 SECONDS LEFT IN THE 3RD 🚨#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/euVzrvrIG7


— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 5, 2026

In overtime, the crowd’s chants of “Go Blades Go” were near constant, and the Blades came out flying. They put pressure on the Oil Kings and Snell early and didn’t show any sign of letting up. While they nearly kept Edmonton from scoring in the offensive zone at all, Saskatoon was also unable to score, and the game headed to a second overtime.

In the second overtime period, control seemed to have shifted once again in favour of the Oil Kings, but just barely. While the Blades were keeping pace, they were no longer completely dominating, and their opponents forced them to work much harder. As Edmonton rained down shot after shot on Gardner, he stopped them all.

Then, disaster struck. Fans were outraged when David Lewandowski was called for hooking, giving the Oil Kings the chance to end the game. They did so, with the most dangerous man on the ice, Miroslav Holinka, scoring the final goal on the power play.

🤫🔇🏡#LeafsForever | #MoreRoar | #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/wbWac9yDb2


— x – Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) April 6, 2026

The game ended with some fans throwing objects onto the ice at the refs.

 

The Blades are back in action tomorrow for the final game of the series in Edmonton.