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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Fall Friday Night in Prince Albert

December 29, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The Saskatoon Blades failed to take down the league leading Prince Albert Raiders on Friday night the Art Hauser Centre coming out on the losing end of a 4-2 hockey game. Prince Albert maintained their perfect record on home ice improving to 17-0-0-0 at the Art Hauser Centre while the Blades leave with a 21-11-5-0 overall record on the season.

HOW IT WENT DOWN

Gary Haden (14) opened the scoring 5:25 into the first period on Saskatoon's first power play opportunity. Max Gerlach and Nolan Kneen assisted. Minutes later Brandon Schuldhaus was assessed a 5-minute major penalty for kneeing which saw Prince Albert Raider defensemen, Max Martin, helped off the ice. On the ensuing power play, Noah Gregor (22) evened the score for the home side.

Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen (9) restored the lead for Saskatoon before the end of the first. The Washington Capitals prospect took a feed from Dawson Davidson and then followed up on his own rebound to bury a shot beneath Donovan Buskey.

Max Martin was back on the ice for the Raiders to start the second period. Noah Gregor (23) scored his 2nd of the night with just 20 seconds left in the 2nd. It was the only goal in the frame and came off a breakaway immediately after a prime scoring chance for Kirby Dach at the other end. The 2-2 tie held up through the 2nd intermission with the Blades leading 28-26 on the shot clock.

Aliaksei Protas (7) gave Prince Albert their first lead of the hockey game midway through the final frame. The 17-year-old rookie Belarusian snapped a shot just inside the Blades blue line that deflected off a Saskatoon defender and in. The goal eventually ended up as the game winner. Cole Fonstad (12) added an empty netter in the dying seconds for added insurance.

Saskatoon finished the night 1/4 on the power play and 2/3 on the penalty kill.

TOP PERFORMERS

Dorrin Luding made 32 saves and earned 3rd star honours.

Dawson Davidson had an assist and 7 PIM after a first period fight in response to a questionable hit on Kirby Dach.

Nolan Kneen added his 8th assist in his 12th game with the Blades. Kneen logged some heavy minutes after Schuldhaus was ejected in the first.

NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS

Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen scored his 9th goal of the season to extend his point streak to 5 games (2G-3A).

Emil Malysjev was the only Saskatoon defensemen with a +1 rating.

Dawson Davidson's assist extended his point streak to 5 games (1G-4A).

UP NEXT

The Blades visit the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday for a matinee match at 4:00pm. Next home action is on Tuesday, January 1st, at 2:00pm versus the Swift Current Broncos.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2018


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