Blades Offence Dries Up; Fall 3-0 in P.A.
March 1, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
PRINCE ALBERT, SK - The Prince Albert Raiders figured out a way to stop the high-flying offence of the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday night.
Kaiden Guhle's opening period marker at 8:44 stood as the game-winner as the Raiders snapped the Blades four-game win streak with a 3-0 victory at the Art Hauser Centre.
Justin Nachbaur also scored in an opening period which saw the division-leading Raiders outshoot the Blades 27-5. Daniil Stepanov rounded out the Raiders scoring, and Max Paddock made 18 saves for the shutout.
In what was a difficult night for the Blades to generate offence, Nolan Maier shined brightly. The 19-year-old netminder made 40-saves, much of which with his team shorthanded. Saskatoon went 5-for-7 on the penalty kill and failed to capitalize on two powerplay opportunities.
As is often the case when these two rivals meet, there was no shortage of physicality and tenacity. Both teams combined for 66 penalty minutes, with Blades forward Zach Huber and Raiders captain Zack Hayes getting tangled up in a strangle-hold fisticuff late in the third period, and earning 10-minute misconducts to go with roughing minors.
Despite the loss, the Blades inched closer to securing a playoff spot. The Red Deer Rebels, who sit 18-points back of the Blades for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, dropped a 4-0 decision to the Edmonton Oil Kings. That result puts the Blades magic number to secure a postseason berth at "1". The Blades can mathematically clinch on Wednesday, hosting the Calgary Hitmen.
Saskatoon is now eight points back of the Prince Albert Raiders for first place in the East Division. However, they continue to dominate the season-series with a 6-2-0-0 record against P.A. These two foes will tangle twice more this season - March 20th and 21st to wrap up the campaign.
TICKETS FOR THE BLADES NEXT HOME GAME
Next up, the Blades welcome the Calgary Hitmen to the Sasktel Centre on March 4th for Winning Wednesday! If the Blades win, everyone at the game will receive a free ticket voucher on their way out for the next Blades home game.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2020
- Raiders Down the Warriors to Wrap Up the Weekend - Prince Albert Raiders
- Raiders Down the Warriors to Wrap Up the Weekend - Prince Albert Raiders
- Hurricanes Edge Hitmen, 3-2 - Calgary Hitmen
- Royals Rise Above Giants - Victoria Royals
- Portland Stumbles into a Hot Everett Goaltender - Portland Winterhawks
- Busy Weekend Ends with Narrow Loss in Prince Albert - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Giants Wrap up Weekend with a 4-1 Loss to the Royals - Vancouver Giants
- Game Day Hub: March 1 - Portland Winterhawks
- The Brandon Boys - Brandon Wheat Kings
- 21 WHL Alumni Win Canada West Men's Hockey Championship with University of Saskatchewan Huskies - WHL
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, March 1 vs. Lethbridge - Calgary Hitmen
- Americans Earn Point in 4-3 Shootout Loss to Spokane - Tri-City Americans
- Smith Sparks Spokane to Shootout Stunner for Sixth-Straight - Spokane Chiefs
- Giants Skate to a 6-2 Victory Saturday Night on the Island - Vancouver Giants
- Silvertips drop Rockets - Kelowna Rockets
- Kamloops Doubles up Tired Cougars, 6-3 - Prince George Cougars
- Royals Fall to Giants - Victoria Royals
- Silvertips Roll to Ninth Straight Win - Everett Silvertips
- Tigers Shut the Door on Pats 2-0 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- T-Birds Comeback Comes up Just Short against Winterhawks - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rebels Display Plenty of Grit But Fall 4-0 to Visiting Oil Kings - Red Deer Rebels
- Blades Offence Dries Up; Fall 3-0 in P.A. - Saskatoon Blades
- Buskey, Medicine Hat Keep Pats off the Board - Regina Pats
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