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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Drop First Game of the Season in Prince Albert

October 1, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Prince Albert, Sask. - The Saskatoon Blades will be wishing they could have 16 seconds back after falling 4-1 to the Prince Albert Raiders on Sunday evening at the Art Hauser Centre. The loss is the first of the season for the Blades who now sit at 3-1 on the year.

It was a tight checking game throughout the first period as both teams came into Sunday night's matchup undefeated on the season. Neither team managed to find the back of the night in the first period despite each having a couple looks on the power play. The Raiders held a slight edge on the shot clock 12-9 at the first intermission.

In the second period, the Blades appeared to be gaining momentum in an increasingly physical affair. However, a span of 16 seconds changed the course of the game for the rest of the night. 7:30 into the frame, Justin Nachbaur shovelled in a loose puck in the Blades crease to opened the scoring. Just nine seconds later Ozzy Wiesblatt made it 2-0 for the home side. Already rattled from the quick two goals, the Blades again allowed the Raiders to enter the zone and Parker Kelly made it 3-0 7:46 into the period. It wasn't pretty for Saskatoon who up until that point were right there in the battle with Prince Albert. But the momentum was entirely in favour of the Raiders who then made it 4-0 on their next power play with exactly six minutes left in the period.

Saskatoon did break Ian Scott's shutout bid in the third period thanks to Tristen Robins' first WHL goal. Dawson Davidson picked up the lone helper on the tally.

Nolan Maier made 19 saves on 23 shots through two periods of work before he was relieved Dorrin Luding in the third period who came in and stopped all 16 shots faced.

The Blades penalty killers went 6/7 on the night while the power play struck out on four attempts.

Next up for the blue & gold is a gruelling four games in five nights road swing through Alberta beginning on Tuesday in Red Deer. From there, the Blades will make stops in Edmonton, Calgary, and close out the trip next Saturday in Lethbridge against the Hurricanes.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from October 1, 2018


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