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Saskatoon Blades

Blades Silence Moda Center With Massive Win

January 17, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


PORTLAND, OR - The Moda Center in Portland, Oregon was rocking in its typical Saturday fashion, but the Blades spoiled their party with a 3-1 win over the Winterhawks.

"I just thought we competed for 60 minutes," said Head Coach and GM Bob Woods. "We had no passengers...The guys willed it and wanted it and did what they needed to do to get a big win."

Connor Gay quieted the crowd early as just 24 seconds into the game, Gay crossed the Hawks blue line, snapping a shot past goaltender Adin Hill, shocking the over 10,000 fans in attendance at the "Rose Garden".

"It was definitely a big goal," said Gay. "Anytime you can score 24 seconds into a game it's definitely a good feeling, it gets the guys going."

It was exactly the start the Blades needed, the tally sparked the team, lighting a fire under the bench.

The Winterhawks would tie the game later in the period on a goal by Evan Weinger. Weinger snuck behind the Blades defence before roofing the puck, blocker side on Brock Hamm.

The fast paced 1st period ended tied at 1 with Portland leading 14-11 in shots on goal.

The 2nd period brought about much of the same, a fast paced, hard hitting, thoroughly entertaining style of hockey.

Under 5 minutes into the 2nd, the Blades would re take the lead on some strong work by a young line. Anthony Bishop fired the puck on net from the point, and it was Logan Christensen who found the puck in the crease and jammed it in, giving the Blades the 2-1 lead.

The assist was Anthony Bishop's first career WHL point.

"It was just a simple play, trying to make something happen," said Bishop on the play. "Boys battled hard and it turned out to be the game winner."

A fight between Cam Hausinger and the much bigger Brett Clayton brought the crowd back to life in the frame. The Blades however, would whether the storm, holding a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd period.

In the 3rd period, it was Brock Hamm's game. The 18 year old, Saskatoon product, stopped all 14 shots he faced in the period, making 38 saves total in the game.

Mason McCarty would add an empty net goal with one minute to go, sealing the win for the Blades.

It was a massive boost of confidence for the Blades who were searching for a that momentum to shift back their favour.

"It was an unbelievable effort," added Gay. "It was a full 60 minutes and I couldn't be happier with the guys on the team. To get that win in Portland with a a huge crowd like that, couldn't be better going into the last two games."

The team will now have a day off before travelling to Everett to take on the Silvertips on Martin Luther King Day at 4PM Saskatchewan time.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2016


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