Blazers eyeing second straight West regional title

Fresh off a sweep of the Regina Pat Canadians in the Saskatchewan under-18 AAA hockey final, the Saskatoon Blazers are off to Winnipeg.

There, the team is to compete in its second straight West regional tournament in hopes of advancing to the Telus Cup national championship tournament.

At last year’s regional tournament, the Blazers’ Raiden Zacharias played at a pace of almost three points per game, recording 11 points over four games.

Zacharias credits his success last year to how good the team was.

“Last year, (it was about) just going in with the confidence I had for myself and the teammates around me,” said Zacharias. “I think that’s kind of the same mindset going in this year.”

Since Zacharias debuted with the Blazers three years ago, he has been a model of consistency; he has put up at least 50 points each season.

Zacharias credits that success to knowing how to play to his strengths as a hockey player.

“I think (I’m) just doing what I’m best at, being able to play with different guys and do what’s best for the team and myself and I think it just comes from a lot of confidence and playing with the right guys,” he said.

Zacharias describes himself as a team-first player and not someone who is only looking for goals.

“I would say I’m a pass-first player,” said Zacharias. “(I) could always shoot more, and I always get into the dirty areas.”

Zacharias said he models his game after New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes.

Now, as the captain of the Blazers, a lot of eyes are on Zacharias and his leadership on a young team.

“I’m more of a lead-by-example kind of guy,” said Zacharias. “But when it’s needed, I’ll voice up for sure.”

That lead-by-example way of doing things could be very important at the regional tournament as the Blazers have 12 rookies on their active roster.

Zacharias said he’s been talking to the younger players and telling them that this is going to be a grind and a process to get used to.

“(We try to) kind of ease them into the experience,” said Zacharias. “(We want them to) get their feet under them and let them do what they do best.”

Also making the trip to Winnipeg are Zacharias’ parents, whom he says are his biggest supporters.

“They’ve had a big role throughout the past three years, just being supportive and letting me chase my dreams,” said Zacharias. “So it’s been pretty amazing to have them there for the whole ride.”

As for the Blazers, the preparations for regionals won’t be what they were like during the regular season as they will now face teams they haven’t seen this year.

Blazers head coach Troy Walkington said his staff has already had discussions with other coaches from the leagues of the other teams.

“It’s also video (so) we have a general understanding of how teams are going to play,” said Walkington. “We do a whole bunch of work for video, and we break it down and we present (it) to players and make sure they understand.”

Walkington explained that everyone has to approach this tournament in a different way than they would a playoff series.

“I certainly think it’s a different mentality going from playing in a series to playing in a round-robin,” said Walkington. “In a round-robin you have to have a short memory.”

Before the start of the provincial championship, Walkington said the Blazers probably didn’t have a full team dressed until Game 39 of the regular season, with some players playing in junior A or the WHL.

Since then, the Blazers have gone 15-1-1.

Walkington said the Blazers’ ability to win their matchups is what has brought them so much success.

“Going into a game, we understand who our matchups are going to be,” said Walkington. “A lot of the time, we win those matchups.”

Walkington said the message going into Game 1 of the tournament is simple.

“Have fun,” said Walkington. “Being able to come out of Saskatchewan is a bit of a hard grind.

“Once we get to these tournaments, it’s about having fun and our practice over the past week has been outstanding.”

Saskatoon is to face Brandon on Thursday at 4 p.m., Thunder Bay on Friday at 4 p.m., and Winnipeg on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The first- and second-place finishers in the round-robin will meet in the final Sunday, with the winner advancing to the Telus Cup. The national under-18 AAA tournament is set for April 22-28 in Membertou, N.S.