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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Look To Contain Hurricanes

November 27, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The Saskatoon Blades get back on home ice tonight with a matchup against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Game time is 7:05 pm. Prior to puck drop, the brand-new scoreboard and LED video boards will be unveiled at Credit Union Centre.

Head-to-Head The Blades and Hurricanes have faced off once already this season on October 10th in Lethbridge. Walker Wintoneak (Flin Flon, MB) tipped home his second of the night for the game winner at 2:50 of overtime as the Blades beat the Canes 3-2. Derek Hulak (Saskatoon, SK) also scored for the Blades while Adam Morrison (White Rock, BC) made 27 saves between the pipes in the victory. Mitch Maxwell and Carter Bancks replied for the home squad while Linden Rowat made 31 saves in net.

Saskatoon Blades The Blades (19-3-0-3, 41 points, 1st in East Division, 1st in Eastern Conference) return to action tonight following a one week layoff. The Bridge City Bunch was last in action on November 20th, getting a 4-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors. Wintoneak and Stefan Elliott (North Vancouver, BC) led the way with a goal and an assist, while Brent Benson (Weyburn, SK) and Josh Nicholls (Tsawwassen, BC) added singles. Steven Stanford (Calgary, AB) made 26 saves in net to claim the victory.

Hulak remains the Blades' scoring leader with 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points. Wintoneak is second with 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points. Elliott is third in team scoring and tops amongst Blades' defensemen with 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points. The third-year rearguard is also tied for second amongst WHL defensemen.

Wintoneak leads the Blades in goals after bulging the twine 13 times this season.

Randy McNaught (Nanaimo, BC) is tops on the Blades in penalty minutes with 84 this season, putting him second in the Western Hockey League. Darian Dziurzynski (Lloydminster, AB) is second on the team with 76 and is fourth in the league.

Five Blades - Elliott (1st - +23), Sam Klassen (Watrous, SK) (T-2nd - +22), Wintoneak (T-2nd - +22), Hulak (T-5th - +21), and Patterson (T-6th - +21) - are at the top of the list in the WHL for plus/minus.

In goal, Morrison leads the team in appearances with 16 this season while sporting a 10-3-0-3 record with a 2.40 goals against average (4th in the WHL), and a.918 save percentage (5th in the WHL). Stanford has made 11 appearances this season and has put together a 9-2-0-0 record with a 2.09 goals against average (T-1st in the WHL) and a.922 save percentage (T-2nd in the WHL).

The Blades' power play is ranked 19th in the WHL after converting on 13.9% of opportunities with the man-power advantage. While shorthanded, the team is ranked 1st overall in the league, having killed off 88.1% of chances while a man down.

Lethbridge Hurricanes The Hurricanes (8-14-3-0, 19 points, 6th in Central Division, 12th in Eastern Conference) come into tonight's after a nine-day layoff. The hockey club was last in action on November 18th, getting blanked 3-0 by the Prince Albert Raiders at home.

Bancks leads the team in scoring with 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points. Saskatoon product Carter Ashton is second with 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points. Veteran Mike Reddington is tops amongst Hurricanes' defensemen with 0 goals and 14 assists on the season.

Rookie forward Mitch Maxwell has 13 goals to lead the team in that category.

The Hurricanes are led in penalty minutes by Reddington, who has 65 minutes on the season.

Landon Oslanski has a +5 rating this season to lead the team.

In between the pipes, Rowat has a 4-2-2-0 record with 3.20 goals against average and a.900 save percentage in 10 appearances this season. Finnish import Ville Kolppanen is 1-6-0-0 with a 4.45 goals against average and a.862 save percentage in 9 games played this season. Third netminder Brandon Anderson has made 8 appearances with a 3-4-1-0 record to go along with a 3.44 goals against average and a .896 save percentage.

The Hurricanes' power play is working at 16.1% clip this season to put them ranked 18th in the WHL. The penalty kill unit is ranked 16th in the WHL, working at a 76.8% rate this season.

Blades vs Hurricanes Credit Union Centre will feature a new look tonight as the brand-new scoreboard and LED video boards are installed and ready. Part of the ongoing renovations in the building in lead up for the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship, the scoreboard and LED video boards will add an impressive new component to the Blades' game night experience.

The Blades & MD Ambulance are encouraging fans to bring a shoe box to tonight's game filled a variety of items for less fortunate children this season in support of Operation Christmas Child. Please fill the box with items from the following categories:

School Supplies---Items such as pencils, pens, pencil crayons, note pads & picture books

Toys & Other Gifts---Items such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments,

Small articles of clothing---Items such as t-shirts and socks

Hygiene Items---Items such as hair brushes & tooth brushes

Personal Note---Include a personal note and/or a photo in your shoe box

Fans should be sure to watch for the Home Depot "Race Around the World Contest" during the second intermission tonight. In-stand giveaways include "Dance for Your Dinner", "The DQ Grill & Chill Ice Cream Toss", and "Sign of the Night".

Tickets for the game can be purchased online at ticketmaster.ca, by calling 938-7800, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 27, 2009


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