Blades Dulled in Spokane
January 14, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
SPOKANE, WA - The Blades ran into a wall in their first game against the U.S. division as the dropped a 9-2 decision at the hands of the Spokane Chiefs. The Blades were limited to 17 shots total in the game.
"I saw a lot of frustration," said Blades forward Braylon Shmyr. "I don't think as a team we really pushed back to win this game.
A hard fought, cycle filled tone was set in the first period as neither team gave each other much.
The Chiefs would break open the deadlock in the final minutes of the 1st period, with the Blades on the powerplay. Chiefs leading scorer, Kailer Yamamoto, finished off a nice passing play as they killed of the Miske high sticking call.
Spokane would hold the Blades to 2 shots in the period, despite Saskatoon having three power play opportunities.
"It didn't feel like it was clicking," said Shmyr on the power play. "On the PK, we can't give them those goals to give them the lead and the momentum."
Logan Christensen would take a late tripping penalty in the 1st which proved costly to start the second. Just 9 seconds into the 2nd period, Hudson Elynuik would break in on a partial break and slip the puck between the pads of Brock Hamm.
After scoring last night in Kootenay, Braylon Shmyr added another, bringing the Blades within one just 50 seconds after the Chief's 2nd goal. Using his blazing speed, Shmyr chased down a loose puck and got behind the Chiefs defence, before roofing it on Chiefs goaltender Verhelst.
That's as close as the Blades would come however, as Clavet native, Evan Fiala, would restore the 2-goal lead for Spokane.
In the 3rd period, the Chiefs exploded for six more goals, and put an exclamation point on the game.
"It's a little bit embarrassing," said captain, Nick Zajac. "Letting up six in the 3rd, isn't something you want to do...We're in the Western Hockey League, we've got to be better than we were." he added.
Nolan Reid scored the lone goal for the Blades in the period. 9 hits the of the famous goal gong is Spokane later, Saskatoon was faced with a 9-2 loss. A score that obviously did not sit well with the team and will need to change as they head into Tri-Cities on Friday.
The Blades will have an off day tomorrow before taking on the Americans at 9PM SK time, Friday.
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