WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Continue Strong Play at Home

Published on October 24, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The Saskatoon Blades got back on the winning track with a 4-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday night at Credit Union Centre.

The Blades struck first midway through the opening frame on the power play following series of chances in front of the Kamloops net. After 5 stabs at the puck by the swarming Blades, a pinching Sam Klassen (Watrous, SK) managed to squeak the puck across the line for his second of the season.

The home town Blades went up 2-0 on a similar scramble in front of the Blazers' net on the power play. This time, Walker Wintoneak (Flin Flon, MB) dove from his right to left and swiped a backhand past goaltender Justin Leclerc for his 7th goal of the season and 4th on the power play.

Stefan Elliott (North Vancouver, BC) kicked off the second period with a goal while the teams were four-on-four. The third-year Blade walked down the right half boards, cut into the faceoff circle, and snapped a laser over the right should of Leclerc.

The Blades scored their third power play goal of the game to make it 4-0 at the 4:22 mark of the second period on a beautiful passing play. Defenseman Jyri Niemi (Hameenkyro, Finland) started the play from the right point with a cross ice pass to Wintoneak, who then sent a back door pass to Derek Hulak (Saskatoon, SK) at the right post. The Blades' captain made no mistake for his 7th goal on the campaign.

Kamloops broke Steven Stanford's (Calgary, AB) shutout bid 7 minutes into the third period as Saskatoon product Jake Trask scored into an empty net when a strange bounce off the end boards handcuffed the Blades' netminder.

Final score Saskatoon 4, Kamloops 1.

Stanford made 23 saves on 24 shots for his third straight victory since being acquired by the Blades from Prince Albert. Justin Leclerc, another Blazers' product of Saskatoon, made 45 saves on 49 shots in net to take the loss.

The win gives the Blades a 9-3-0-2 record on the season for 20 points and continue to keep the team in a tie with the Moose Jaw Warriors for the East Division lead. The Blazers drop to 8-7-2-0, good enough for 18 points on the season.

The Blades next play on Tuesday when the Medicine Hat Tigers visit Credit Union Centre. Game time is 7:05 pm. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.ca, by calling 938-7800, or by visiting any Ticketmaster location.

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2009


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