Saskatoon hockey team gets taste of NHL playoff experience

Watch above: Dozens of Saskatchewan students left for the trip of a lifetime, experiencing a live NHL playoff game in Calgary. Aaron Streck reports.

SASKATOON – “I couldn’t fall asleep, I was too excited to go to Calgary,” said Muskwa Katcheech, a Grade 9 student at Mount Royal Collegiate.

Most have never been to Calgary or an NHL game but that all changed Friday for a group from the Saskatoon high school that anxiously awaited a trip to Game 4 between the Anaheim Ducks and the Calgary Flames and join the sea of red.

READ MORE: Calgary falls to Anaheim in Game 4, Ducks lead series 3-1

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“I’ve always wanted to go to a game and making it a playoff game that’s even better,” said Matthew Carlson, who is also in Grade 9 at Mount Royal Collegiate.

If they weren’t before, they became Flames fans once they loaded onto the bus. All of the kids have played on the school’s “Jumpstart Hockey League” team.

“They are very deserving and their stories are meaningful and powerful and I am excited that this group of kids gets to go to Calgary Friday,” said Mount Royal community school coordinator Shannon Peters.

Sport Chek, which arranged the trip, had more up their sleeves then just the bus ride and game tickets.

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“Once we get there that’s when the real fun starts, we’ve got some surprises when we arrive at the Scotiabank Saddledome,” said Sport Chek’s Scott Matheson.

“Rhett Warrener and Cory Sarich, two Saskatoon Blades alum are going to meet and greet them, going to give all the kids a jersey, Harvey the Hound will be there, we’re going to get a special escort up to our seats by the players.”

The group will make their way back to Saskatoon Saturday.

A group of Jumpstart Kids from Regina were also invited to Calgary for the game.

The Ducks won 4-2 against the Flames Friday.