NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Saskatoon Blades

The Force Not Awakened For The Blades

November 29, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


SASKATOON, SK - On a night where the force is suppose to be one with the Blades, there was one thing that seemed to stop them from scoring, bad luck!

The force was present for the Blades the entire first period as they managed to keep the puck entirely out of their zone to generate tons of good quality offensive chances for the Blades and out worked the evil empire Oil Kings.

Things turn to the dark side for the Blades with just three and a half minutes left in the first, a bad pinch by the defence lead a streaking Brandon Baddock with speed heads on a breakaway and dekes out Brock Hamm for his 8th to give the Oil Kings the lead 1-0.

A quick goal for the Blades seven seconds in the second period gives them life. Terrel Draude's shot ringed off the posts and seemed to creep past the line but after a short review the goal would ultimately count tying the game at one.

The second period would be a back and forth period with both teams getting equal opportunities to try and give their teams the lead.

On an Oil Kings power play off the face off win with some slick passing, Dysin Mayo fed Andrew Koep who roofed one bar down on Hamm on the power play to give the Oil Kings a 2-1 lead.

Saskatoon would not take their foot off the gas as they apply lots of pressure on Edmonton near the end of the second in hopes to get a change of momentum. But like most of this night, the puck didn't seem to go the way that they wanted to according to Head Coach Bob Woods. "The puck just wasn't going our way. A lot of time the puck went through the guys legs and by the post but that's the way it goes some nights. I thought our effort was great we played with a lot of energy."

The final twenty minutes saw the Blades dominating in the offensive zone looking just to get a lucky break of any kind.

But the Oil Kings would seal the deal on a nice play by Dario Meyer to get the puck away from Higson and from the corner found a wide open Colton Kehler who one timed it past Brock Hamm that would put the Blades out of reach.

The determination was still there for the Blades after Hamm was pulled trying to gain some extra life to get within one. But couldn't find an answer to Patrick Dea who robbed the Blades on numerous chances in this game to keep the Blades from having any sort of life. "We had lot's of chances our power play moved around nice and had a lot of chances but we just couldn't get it going. Dea's played good against us everytime that I remember," added Bob Woods describing the team effort on this night.

They will have time to regroup as they prepare for the Regina Pats for their first meeting of the season at SaskTel Centre Wednesday night.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from November 29, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central