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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades prep for second sellout this week vs Pats

March 24, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


It's going to be a wild finish of regular season hockey at SaskTel Centre.

The Saskatoon Blades are expecting another sellout crowd tonight when they welcome Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats for the second time this week.

14,768 fans filled SaskTel Centre in a historic night with the largest crowd in franchise history Sunday. We want to make sure everything goes smoothly once again for guests attending Friday's game. Read below for information on when doors open, ways to arrive to the rink, and what to do when you arrive.

ARRIVE EARLY

DOORS OPEN: 5:30 PM

PUCK DROP: 7:00 PM

Guests are recommended to arrive early once again in order to proceed through security and get to their seats without delay.

OPTIONS FOR GETTING TO SASKTEL CENTRE:

OPTION 1 - FREE PARK & RIDE SERVICE - Yellow School Busses

Free Event Park & Ride buses are available from the following locations.

i) Lawson Heights Mall - 134 Primrose Drive (pick-up on Primrose Drive)

Buses depart at 5:15 p.m. with continuous service as buses are filled and last bus departing at 6:40 p.m.

ii) The Centre Mall - Circle and 8th Street (pick-up in Co-op parking lot, N.W.Corner near Co-op Gas Bar)

Buses depart at 5:15 p.m. with continuous service as buses are filled and last bus departing at 6:40 p.m.

iii) Confederation Mall - 300 Confederation Drive (pick-up in North end, Safeway Parking Lot)

Buses depart at 5:15 p.m. with continuous service as buses are filled and last bus departing at 6:40 p.m.

This service is managed by SaskTel Centre. For more information please contact 306-975-3155.

OPTION 2 - SASKATOON TRANSIT

Saskatoon Transit pick-up is at the downtown special event stop in front of 2nd Avenue Lofts (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue).

Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip), transfers and passes will also be accepted.

Departure times: 5:25PM, 5:45PM, 6:05PM, 6:25PM & 6:45PM

Plan your trip using the real-time mobile app called Transit.

For more information about this service, please contact Saskatoon Transit.

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OPTION 3 - CAR POOL - PARKING SPACES ARE LIMITED.

Travel with friends in one vehicle. Reduce the number of vehicles. Parking spaces are limited.

All vehicles traveling to SaskTel Centre must follow the directions of the Saskatoon Police and the parking attendants. This allows for a faster and safer entry and exit for everyone.

Club Seat Parking Pass Holders & Rock Star Parking Pass Holders MUST enter the parking lot via Bill Hunter Ave, NOT Thatcher Ave.

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR ARRIVAL

Download digital tickets on your phone before you arrive at the entrance.

Travel Light! Leave anything you don't need at home. All purses and bags are subject to a bag search.

SaskTel Centre accepts credit card, debit card and cash as methods of payment at all food and beverage locations.

No exit and re-entry is permitted.

Tonight

The Saskatoon Blades (46-15-4-1) lace up for their final home game of the regular season when they welcome WHL Phenom Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats (46-15-4-1) to SaskTel Centre.

With tonight being the final game of the regular season at SaskTel Centre, we're dedicating a night to our fans to thank you for the support all season.

One lucky fan will get the chance to shoot and win a Ford Bronco courtesy of our game sponsor Merlin Ford!

There will also be many other activities and prizes thanks to our other sponsors!

Another sellout crowd is expected after 14,768 fans filled the arena Sunday between the two clubs. A 4-2 loss for the Blades wasn't what they had planned, but they get another crack at their provincial rivals to the south.

If the Blades beat the Pats in any capacity these two teams will be locked in for a first-round playoff series for the first time since 2006. The Blue and Gold finished the Pats in six games that year, and currently lead the season-series 3-2.

Who to Watch

Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky showed up to play in front of a packed barn Sunday. The Port Coquitlam, BC. product scored both Blades goals, one of which came on the man-advantage. The performance earned Lisowsky a new career-high of 35 goals after scoring 33 last year in a full 68 games. The 5-foot-9 sniper has been dialled since March began with 12 points in ten games. Lisowsky is one of Saskatoon's most reliable scorers with 67 points in 63 games, heating up right at the perfect time before playoffs.

The Bridge City Bunch are getting some major pieces back in the lineup ahead of tonight's battle. Leading goal man Egor Sidorov returns and brings his 40 goals in 52 games with him. The NHL draft-eligible sniper has emerged as one of the league's premier shooters and brings a massive jolt to an already lethal offence. On the back end, pending WHL graduate Blake Gustafson laces up for his first game back from injury since Mar. 8th vs the Swift Current Broncos. Part of one of the top shutdown pairs in the league alongside alternate captain Charlie Wright, "Gus the Bus" is an important factor in shutting down a potent Regina offence.

20-year-old defenceman Aidan De La Gorgendiere tallied his 51st assist of the season vs Regina last weekend. The 6-foot-1 Langley, BC. native is averaging just under a point-per game in his final WHL season with 63 in 64 outings. De La Gorgendiere is three points away from claiming sole possession of tenth for points by a defenceman in Blades history currently at 153 in 247 games.

POST GAME

Stick around following tonight's game as we celebrate the captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere, alternate captain Blake Gustafson, and forward Josh Pillar on their incredible WHL careers.

All three will be presented with special gifts for their graduating season, along with a video tribute for each member to cap of the regular season at home!

Make sure you stay after the game and celebrate our awesome 20-year-olds!

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2023


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