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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Eliminated from 2023 WHL Playoffs

May 4, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon Blades' Spencer Shugrue congratulates Winnipeg ICE's Carson Lambos
Saskatoon Blades' Spencer Shugrue congratulates Winnipeg ICE's Carson Lambos
(Saskatoon Blades)

Saskatoon, SK - It wasn't the end we hoped for, but what a special year this was for the Blue and Gold.

The Saskatoon Blades were eliminated from the WHL Playoffs in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Championship 3-2 Wednesday vs the Winnipeg ICE.

Captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere scored in his final WHL game of his career, a fitting send off to an incredible career for the Langley, BC. defenceman.

To the 5,638 fans in attendance at SaskTel Centre, and every member of Blade City who was part of this incredible ride, thank you for the overwhelming support.

The Blades scored the opening goal for the first time this series with 4:52 remaining in the first. Captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere sent a seeing-eye point shot through traffic and past ICE netminder Daniel Hauser for his third of the playoffs. It was a 6-on-4 advantage due to a delayed penalty against Winnipeg forward Zach Benson and the Blue and Gold made sure a powerplay wasn't needed. De La Gorgendiere is averaging slightly under a point-per-game in his final trip to the WHL postseason with 17 points in 18 games. Forwards Conner Roulette and Brandon Lisowsky got assists on the tally, giving the ladder one in each of his past three games.

ICE forward Connor McClennon remained hot in the series scoring his fifth goal in four games with 1:20 left in the opening 20.

Saskatoon didn't head into intermission trailing for the first time this series with the score at 1-1.

McClennon struck gold again late in the second giving him a pair on the night and six goals in the series. The pending WHL graduate is up to 12 goals and 20 points in 13 playoff games.

The Blades killed off an early penalty in the third and scored not long after. Alternate captain Trevor Wong caught a piece of defenceman Spencer Shugrue's point shot for his sixth of the postseason. The Vancouver, BC. due have been outstanding in the playoffs with Shugrue up to three goals and six points while Wong leads the team with 21 points, both men doing so in 18 outings.

6-foot-3 forward Briley Wood put the ICE in front 3-2 with his third of the postseason 6:19 into the final frame. The Rivers, MB. product is up to four points in 14 playoff games this season. That would be the dagger for the Blades season.

What's Next

Exit day for the Saskatoon Blades is Thursday, May 4th.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics




Images from this story

Saskatoon Blades' Spencer Shugrue congratulates Winnipeg ICE's Carson Lambos
Saskatoon Blades' Spencer Shugrue congratulates Winnipeg ICE's Carson Lambos
   



Western Hockey League Stories from May 4, 2023


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