The Saskatoon Blades picked up their first victory of the season by way of a shootout with a 4-3 win over the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday night on the team's special "Remembrance Night".Walker Wintoneak (Flin Flon, MB), Jeremy Boyer (Saskatoon, SK), and Duncan Siemens (Sherwood Park, AB) scored in regulation for the Blades while Burke Gallimore (Edmonton, AB) and Boyer scored in the shootout to win it for the hometown squad.
The Blades hit the scoreboard first at the 1:27 mark of the second period when Wintoneak (Flin Flon, MB) tipped home a Sam Klassen (Watrous, SK) point shot. For the 20-year-old it was his 12th goal of the season.
Prince Albert tied it up six minutes later when Justin Maylan grabbed a rebound in front of the Blades' net and beat goaltender Steven Stanford (Calgary, AB) blocker side.
The Raiders took the lead just 36 seconds later as Craig McCallum took a pass after jumping off the bench and in the slot fired home his 9th on the campaign.
Mark McNeill gave the road club a two-goal lead at 10:31 of the second when the rookie redirected a Jordan Rowley point shot.
The Blades began their comeback 2:39 into the third period when some skilled stick work by Burke Gallimore (Edmonton, AB) at the side of the net knocked the puck Raider defenseman's stick and towards the front of the net. Boyer was able to knock the puck out of mid air and past Raider goaltender Dalyn Flette for his fourth of the season.
With just over seven minutes remaining in regulation, the Blades completed the comeback when Siemens' slap shot from the point managed to find its way through a maze for his first career Western Hockey League goal.
In the shootout the Blades defeated the Raiders 2 goals to none.
- Gallimore went first for the Blades, beating Flette high glove side from the hash marks.
- The Raiders sent Dustin Cameron first and the former Blade was stopped by Stanford's right pad.
- The hometown squad elected for Boyer second and the veteran forward made no mistake again beating Flette high over the glove hand.
- Jordan Hickmott looked to keep the Raiders alive but a diving poke check by Stanford prevented the Raider from even getting a shot off.
Final score Saskatoon 4, Prince Albert 3 (SO).
The win improves the Blades to 16-3-0-3 for 35 points, tops in the Western Hockey League. The Raiders, with the single point, go to 10-8-0-2 on the season for 22 points.
The Blades get a much deserved couple of days off following a 7 games in 9 day stretch. On Friday, the team travels to Brandon to take on the Wheat Kings. One night later, the team returns home for an engagement with the Prince George Cougars. Tickets for Saturday's game are available online at ticketmaster.ca, by calling 938-7800, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet.
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