Blades Fall Short in Wild One with Winterhawks

January 13, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release

It was one of the most exciting games of the season at SaskTel Centre on Saturday night, but unfortunately the Blades came out on the losing end of a back-and-forth, action packed affair. The Blades dropped a 5-4 decision to the visiting Portland Winterhawks to now sit at 26-13-6-0 on the season, still holding down 2nd place in the Eastern Conference.

WHAT WENT DOWN

Kyle Crnkovic (5) and Max Gerlach (25) sniped the first two goals of the game cleanly by Winterhawks' goaltender Shane Farkas. Portland would cut the lead in half in the final minute of the opening frame off a rebound from Seth Jarvis (12).

The second period was fast and furious featuring five goals; 3 from the Hawks and 2 from the Blades. Kirby Dach (17) scored a power play marker to put the Blades up 3-1. Then Portland scored the next 3 goals-- 2 from Josh Paterson (15,16) on the power play and one from Mason Mannek (10).

Gary Haden set up Max Gerlach (26) for his second goal of the game to tie things up at 4-4 heading into the second intermission. The shots 31-28 at that point in favour of Portland.

Mason Mannek (11) scored the lone goal in the final stanza as the goaltenders took centre stage in the final 20 minutes. It held up as the game winner for the Winterhawks who wrapped up their East Division road trip with a 5-1 record.

Nolan Maier made 34 saves while Shane Farkas stopped 35 at the other end for Portland. Saskatoon finished the night 1/6 on the power play and 3/5 on the penalty kill.

TOP PERFORMERS

Max Gerlach: 2G, +2, 4 SOG

Gary Haden: 2A, 4 SOG, 4/6 face-offs

Nolan Maier: 34 saves

NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS

Kirby Dach extended his point streak to 4 games (3G-3A).

Dawson Davidson recorded an assist for a third straight game.

Gary Haden recorded his 8th multi-point game since joining the Blades.

UP NEXT

The Blades wrap up a 5 game home stand next Friday when they play host to the Regina Pats at 7:00pm at SaskTel Centre.

Western Hockey League Stories from January 13, 2019

• ICE Drop 3-2 Decision to 'Canes - Kootenay Ice
• Hagel with 5 Points; Rebels Win 9-4 over Pats - Red Deer Rebels
• Americans Defeated 8-3 in Spokane - Tri-City Americans
• Three Point Games from Koch, Nielsen Pace the Giants over the Royals - Vancouver Giants
• Royals Held off by Giants - Victoria Royals
• Kelowna Rockets Blanked by Cougars - Kelowna Rockets
• Gauthier Secures Weekend Sweep - Prince George Cougars
• Wolf Shuts out Victoria, 3-0 - Everett Silvertips
• Byram Makes History in a 7-4 Giants Win over Kamloops - Vancouver Giants
• Royals Blanked by Silvertips - Victoria Royals
• Blades Fall Short in Wild One with Winterhawks - Saskatoon Blades
• Balanced Attack Leads Chiefs to 8-3 Win over Tri-City - Spokane Chiefs
• Paterson and Mannek Dazzle in Road Win - Portland Winterhawks
• Raiders Wrap Up Homestand By Taking Out Hitmen - Prince Albert Raiders

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