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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Best Pats 3-2 in Front of 14,786 Fans

March 25, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon Blades celebrate win
Saskatoon Blades celebrate win
(Saskatoon Blades)

Saskatoon, SK - The scene is set for a Saskatoon Blades vs Regina Pats first round matchup.

Brandon Lisowsky recorded his second consecutive two-goal game vs the Pats en route to a 3-2 victory in front of a sold out SaskTel Centre Friday.

14,768 fans filled the stands for the second time this week to witness Connor Bedard take on their dominant Bridge City Bunch. Saskatoon also achieved something no other club has done this regular season; held the WHL phenom off the scoresheet for a second time.

Rookie goalie Austin Elliott flipped the narrative from Sunday's 4-2 loss vs the Pats stopping 22 of 24 shots against the potent offence. The NHL draft-eligible goalie sees his record jump to 25-6-3-0.

WHL fans are in for a first round treat as the two provincial rivals lock horns in the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Saskatoon gets home-ice advantage coming in as the third seed in the Eastern Conference while Regina comes in sixth.

It took until the third period in Sunday's game for the Blades to send the arena into a frenzy. Fans only had to wait 17:53 into this one and it came courtesy of the same individual.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Brandon Lisowsky showed off his soccer skills by kicking his 36th goal of the season into a wide of net. The Port Coquitlam, BC. sniper scored both the Blades goals Sunday vs the Pats and fired up the crowd with the opening goal of the game. Lisowsky has been red hot lately with eight points in his last five games, giving him 69 total in 64 games. Dallas Stars prospect Conner Roulette notched the primary assist while alternate captain Blake Gustafson picked up a point in his first game back from injury.

Lisowsky's late tally sent the Blades into intermission up 1-0 and left the crowd juiced for more.

The 5-foot-9 sniper has feasted on the Pats in the past two games, scoring his second of the night and fourth in the past two games just over five-minutes into the middle frame. Lisowsky sits second on the team in goals with 37 only three behind forward Egor Sidorov.

Lisowsky's goal once again stood as the lone goal in the frame, sending the Blades into the final 20 up 2-0.

The Pats got within one thanks to a forward Tanner Howe short-handed marker 40-seconds into the frame. The Prince Albert, SK. product now has 35 goals and 83 points in 66 games.

Momentum remained in their favour as forward Sam Oremba potted his 10th goal of the season 8:42 into the third to even the game 2-2. The 2005-born winger's up to 26 points in 64 games.

The Blades didn't want to send fans home with a loss again, and Trevor Wong took matters into his own hands to make sure it didn't happen. The team's alternate captain streaked in and banked a second attempt off netminder Drew Sim from behind the net. Vancouver. BC's own extends his team lead in points with 25 goals and 84 points in all 67 games this season. A massive goal for the Blue and Gold put them back in front with 8:50 to go in the game.

The Pats tried to find an equalizer in the dying minutes of the game, but Elliott and company stood tall to secure their 47th win on the year. The club improves to 47-15-4-1.

What's Next?

The Blades finish their regular season tomorrow night in Moose Jaw vs the Warriors, hunting for their fifth 100-point season in franchise history.

Puck drop is 7:00pm.

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Saskatoon Blades celebrate win
Saskatoon Blades celebrate win
   

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2023


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