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Saskatoon Blades

Blades Win Streak Snapped Sunday Afternoon by Rival Raiders

October 14, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon, Sask. -- The Prince Albert Raiders have finally ended their drought at SaskTel Centre after defeating the Saskatoon Blades 6-2 on Sunday afternoon. It's the first regular season win for the visiting Raiders in Saskatoon since September 2014. The loss for the Blades also snaps their four game win streak, resulting in a 7-3-0-0 record on the season.

Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen opened the scoring with his third goal of the season just 2:36 into the game on the power-play. The Prince Albert Raiders went on to score two unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead, which they kept going into the first intermission. Saskatoon 11-9 on the shot clock at the break, but won the special teams battle going 1/1 on the power play and killing off both of the Raiders' opportunities.

The pace ramped up in the second period, despite neither team finding the back of the net. Finally, with 10:32 remaining in the period, Brady Nicholas delivered a huge body check on Cole Fonstad which then resulted in a scrum sending the Blades back to the power-play.

The Raiders successfully killed it off, but weren't quite as fortunate on their next kill.Sean Montgomery took a slashing penalty with 6:13 remaining in the middle frame. Max Gerlach set up Dawson Davidson who then let one go from up top which found its way passed Ian Scott to tie the game at two a side. The goal was Davidson's third goal of the season, and 15th point on the year. It also kept his point streak running, now at 2 goals and 9 assists in the last 7 games.

With the game tied up and the arena fully energized the Raiders weren't letting the Blades take all the momentum, as only 3:11 later, Brett Leason put one past Nolan Maier to retake the one goal lead. The Raiders again took a one goal lead into the break and a 5 shot spread on the shot clock up 26-21.

In the final frame, Prince Albert scored 3 unanswered goals, including an empty netter, which sealed the victory for the league leading Raiders. They sit at the top of the Western Hockey League with a 10-1-0-0 record, while the Blades chase close behind at 7-3-0-0.

Prince Albert now leads the 8-game season series 2-0, but the rivalry was in mid-season form. With the net empty and down by three goals, the Blades were setting up for an offensive zone face-off with just over two minutes on the clock. The Raiders made a late substitution without the referees catching it which prompted Blades bench boss Mitch Love to question the change. This sparked a reaction from the Blades bench, and while the officials came over to explain, the players on the ice started jarring with each other.

After the game Prince Albert's head coach Marc Habscheid simply said he was discussing his Christmas plans with Mitch Love; Love denied that.

"There was an exchange between Montgomery and Chase (Wouters) and then all of a sudden they were throwing a new player on the ice so I was confused, I think I was just trying to help out the officials," stated Love after the game. The two rivals are scheduled to meet next on December 9th in Saskatoon.

The Blades power-play went 2/6 this evening, and their penalty kill was a perfect 2/2. Prior to tonight's game, the Raiders had only allowed one power play goal against on 43 chances.

The Blades will look to bounce back when they play host to the Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday at 7:00pm.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 14, 2018


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