
All Signs Of Blades Hockey Return, Open Season With Win Over Broncos
September 21, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
Saskatoon, SK - The Saskatoon Blades opened their 2024-25 season with a 4-1 victory Friday on the road at Innovation IPlex against the Swift Current Broncos.
Opening night in the WHL was business as usual for the Blue and Gold considering what they've been accustomed to the past several years. The Blades jumped out to a 2-0 lead, played sound defensively for a majority of the game, and finished off strong with a two-goal third period.
It wasn't the veterans that kickstarted things for Saskatoon, but the all-rookie forward line of Kohen Lodge, Lochlan Tetarenko, and Cooper Williams. Tonight marked all three players' first WHL game, recording their first career points on the opening goal of the night. With his parents in attendance, Lodge scored his first career goal 8:04 into the first period. The Blades' 2023 ninth-round pick signed with the club in February of this year and put his name on the map less than a year later. Tetarenko had the primary assist on the goal, while Williams set the play up in the neutral zone.
Saskatoon netminder Austin Elliott was the game's first star stopping 24-of-25 shots. The 20-year-old netminder now holds a career record of 56-14-5-1, with a .907 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average.
Bethune, SK's own Ben Riche netted the insurance marker with under four minutes to go in the contest. The WHL's preseason points leader (2G, 7A) picked up right where he left off, scoring in his Blades regular season debut.
2005-born forwards Rowan Calvert and Tyler Parr recorded two points in the win. Calvert scored the dagger late in the third and tallied an assist along with it, while Parr dished two helpers.
The Blades now have seven straight victories against the Broncos. Tomorrow night could make it eight as the Saskatoon welcome Swift Current to SaskTel Centre for their Merlin Ford Lincoln Home Opener.
Next Game: The Blades welcome the Broncos to SaskTel Centre for their Merlin Ford Lincoln Home Opener tomorrow night. Several sections have been opened in the upper bowl with more than 7000 tickets sold.
Our tailgate party featuring live music, food, and beverages gets underway at 4:30pm, with doors opening at 6:00pm. Puck drop is slated for 7:00pm following a special pre-game presentation on the ice at 6:50pm.
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from September 21, 2024
- T-Birds Earn Opening Night Point - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Johnson's Natural Hat Trick Leads Wheat Kings in Regina - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Chenier Scores Twice, Raiders Win First Game of Season 6-4 in Moose Jaw - Prince Albert Raiders
- Wheat Kings Spoil Pats' Home Opener - Regina Pats
- Warriors Return to Hangar to Raiders Saturday Night - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Tigers Fall 2-1 in Red Deer - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Cougars Collect Point in 4-3 OT Setback to Kick off Regular Season - Prince George Cougars
- Americans Sign Forward Shaun Rios to Scholarship and Development Agreement - Tri-City Americans
- Game Hub: Sep. 21 vs Vancouver Giants - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Open Season in Dramatic Fashion, Defeat Cougars 4-3 in Overtime - Spokane Chiefs
- Preview: Americans at Royals - September 21 - Tri-City Americans
- Broncos Look for Weekend Split with Blades - Swift Current Broncos
- Thorpe's OT Winner Gets Giants Past T-Birds on Opening Night - Vancouver Giants
- Americans Edged in Overtime by Royals - Tri-City Americans
- Broncos Drop Home Opener to Blades - Swift Current Broncos
- Royals Win Home Opener 5-4 in Overtime - Victoria Royals
- Hawks Rally to Top Blazers 5-2 in Kamloops - Portland Winterhawks
- Shantz Overtime Goal Seals Opening Night Victory - Regina Pats
- All Signs Of Blades Hockey Return, Open Season With Win Over Broncos - Saskatoon Blades
- Rudolph Scores First WHL Goal, But Raiders Fall 3-2 in Overtime to Start Season - Prince Albert Raiders
- Warriors Can't Hold Onto Lead, Fall to Brandon in Season Opener - Moose Jaw Warriors
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.
Other Recent Saskatoon Blades Stories
- Blades Forward Williams Named WHL Rookie of the Month
- Series Shifts Back to Saskatoon as Blades Fall 5-1 in Game 2
- Siepmann, Laing Score in Game 1 Loss to Hitmen
- Blades Announce Round 1 Playoff Schedule Versus Hitmen
- Blades Locked At Sixth Place In The Eastern Conference After Hard Fought Battle Against Raiders

