WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades End First Half with 5-2 Win

Published on December 19, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The Saskatoon Blades went into the Christmas Break on a winning note with a 5-2 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders at home on Saturday evening.

Derek Hulak (Saskatoon, SK) had two goals and three assists on the night, while Charles Inglis (Saskatoon, SK), Josh Nicholls (Tsawwassen, BC), and Brent Benson (Weyburn, SK) also scored for the Blades, who now have three straight victories at Credit Union Centre.

Prince Albert - 1st - Dustin Cameron (Brendon Wall) 15:14 Cameron, a former Blade, put the Raiders on the board first after taking a pass in front of the net and slipping one between the pads of goaltender Steven Stanford (Calgary, AB) for his 20th of the season.

Saskatoon - 1st - Hulak (Inglis, Sam Klassen) 16:55 The Blades tied things up just over a minute later. Inglis blew past a Raider defenseman at the blue line and fired a wrist shot on Dalyn Flette that was stopped. Hulak cruised in for the rebound and chipped it over the right shoulder of the Raiders' netminder for his 15th of the year.

Saskatoon - 1st - Inglis (Randy McNaught, Hulak) 17:09 The home squad took the lead only 14 seconds after. McNaught (Nanaimo, BC) cruised down the right wing and took a shot from the faceoff circle that was stopped. The rebound popped out in front of the net and Inglis converted for his 10th on the campaign.

Saskatoon - 2nd - Nicholls (Inglis, Hulak) 0:52 Nicholls gave the team a two-goal lead early in the middle frame after some keen passing by the Blades. Nicholls sent the puck to Hulak in the corner who in turn sent it to Inglis in front. The 17-year-old tried for a return feed to Hulak but had it redirected by Nicholls on the way to the back of the Raiders' net for the sophomore's 5th of the season.

Saskatoon - 3rd - Benson (Gaelan Patterson, Hulak) 8:11 pp After some great cycle work along the right boards, Patterson turned towards the middle and put a wrist shot on net. Flette stopped the shot, but Benson was in perfect position and chipped the rebound into the Raiders' net for the 5th goal of his rookie season and a 4-1 lead.

Saskatoon - 3rd - Hulak (Jeremy Boyer, Stefan Elliott) 9:45 Boyer grabbed a loose puck inside his own blue line and moved in on a 2-on-1 with Hulak. He then sent a cross-ice saucer pass on the rush to Hulak, who walked in and blew a laser past the blocker of Flette for his 16th of the year.

Prince Albert - 3rd - Ryan Harrison (Cameron, Jordan Rowley) 10:16 Harrison gloved down a pass inside the Blades' line, moved in on a break, and beat Sanford blocker side for his 9th of the season.

Stanford made 23 saves in the Blades' net to earn the victory. Flette turned aside 31 of 36 shots in the Prince Albert net in a losing cause.

Final score Saskatoon Blades 5, Prince Albert Raiders 2.

The Blades now have ten days off for their Christmas Break. The Bridge City Bunch returns to action on December 30th in Kent, Washington with a matchup against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

On behalf of the Saskatoon Blades players, coaches, and staff, we wish our fans the best during the holiday season. May your Christmas be filled with many blessings.

Foxy's Lounge and Eatery Hidden Question: To win lunch for 2 at Foxy's Lounge and Eatery, please find the answer to the following question (the answer can be found somewhere on the Blades website) and send your answer to michaels@saskatoonblades.com: Who leads the Blades in power play goals this season? (Found in the Team Stats section).

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2009


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