WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Knock off Raiders in Shootout for Fifth Straight Win

Published on October 15, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Prince Albert, SK - Forwards Trevor Wong and Egor Sidorov extended their point streaks Sunday in the Saskatoon Blades 3-2 shootout victory over the Prince Albert Raiders at Art Hauser Centre.

6-foot-3 winger Easton Armstrong was the hero in the skills competition, securing the Blades fifth consecutive victory and ending the Raiders win streak at four games. The Blades now sit alone atop the East Division with a 7-2-0-0 record, and are 6-0-0-0 when leading after two periods.

Goalie Austin Elliott wasn't busy early on in the game but the 6-foot-2 netminder was crucial in keeping Saskatoon in it late stopping 20 of 22 shots overall. The Strathmore, AB product remains undefeated on the year with a 5-0-0-0 record.

Fatigue showed on the Raiders side on their third game of a three-in-three as the Blades came out hot, peppering them 17-3 in shots after 20 minutes. Prince Albert netminder Chase Coward continued his hot play stopping all 17 after a 45-save performance last night vs the Moose Jaw Warriors. Even with the intense rivalry, neither team committed any infractions leaving each side with no powerplays and no score after one period.

It was deja vu from last game as Blades sniper Sidorov scored the game's opening goal on the powerplay. The Anaheim Ducks draft pick and Wong played with the puck for some pretty passing before slamming home a one-timer to make is 1-0. Sidorov now has points in all seven games he's played this season, totalling him at 11 points (6G, 5A) in his third WHL season.

2022-23 WHL Rookie of the Year Ryder Ritchie tied the game 1-1 with three minutes left in the second period. The 2024 NHL Draft eligible forward leads the Raiders in points with 14 (7G, 7A) in ten games.

The Blades went to their third powerplay of the game in the final two minutes of the game and Wong scored five-hole on Coward make it 2-1 heading into intermission. The Vancouver, BC product extends his point streak to eight games with 12 points (3G, 9A) during that span.

20-year-old forward Sloan Stanick tied the game just under halfway through the third for his third goal of the year. The Rapid City, MB product is up to ten points in as many games this season.

60 minutes wasn't enough to settle the heated battle, and neither was five minutes of 3-on-3 overtime. The Blades won in the shootout in the thanks to the recently acquired Armstrong, securing the Blades 3-2 win.

What's Next?

The Blades get ready to hit the road Saturday for a game against the Red Deer Rebels at the Peavey Mart Centrium. It's the first meeting between the two since their dramatic second round playoff series last year which the the Blades complete a 3-0 series comeback.

Puck drop is 7:00 CST.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2023


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