Best in East ICE Down Saskatoon Blades
January 1, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
Saskatoon, SK - The second period was the Saskatoon Blades undoing on New Years Day, as they fell to the Winnipeg ICE 6-1 to start 2020 in Saskatoon.
Colton Dach scored the Blades' lone goal of the game, giving him a three goal goal streak with points in six of his last seven games.
The first period saw the 'Stoon Squad hop out to a strong start, marking up the first few shots on net of the game before running into penalty trouble. The Blades succesfully killed two penalties, including a 5-on-3 opportunity for the ICE, with Nolan Maier made several key stops to keep the game scoreless.
However, Saskatoon were unable to grab the momentum from the kill as the ICE would open the scoring shortly after, albeit on controversial play in front of the net that was reviewed for a kicking motion, but stood as a good goal to give Winnipeg a lead 1-0 after the first.
The ICE took a 2-0 lead just under a minute into the second period and added to that lead halfway through the term with two more goals in just over 2 minutes to take a handy 4-0 lead. The Blades' best chance of the period came when Eric Florchuk beat his man wide and fed Dach in front, but he was unable to convert and get his team on the board. Maier continued to play strong in net as he made an ample number of highlight saves, although the Blades would still trail 4-0 going into the final frame.
The third period would see Winnipeg add a further two goals, one shorthanded and one on the power play. Saskatoon broke the ICE's shutout bid late as Dach and Florchuk combined to make a nice give and go play on the right wing before and Dach back-handed in his fourth goal of the year over the tendy to score with just over a minute left to make the final 6-1.
The Blades now hit the road for two games over the weekend with two stops: first in Red Deer against the Rebels on January 3rd and then Edmonton against the Oil Kings on January 5th.
The team's next home game is on Wednesday January 8th against the Red Deer Rebels for another Winning Wednesday, where if the Blades win all fans in attendance will receive a free ticket to Saskatoon's next home game.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 1, 2020
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