Blades Rally Late, Can't Find Equalizer Against Pats
October 28, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
Saskatoon Blades' Ben Saunderson and Samuel Barcik battle Regina Pats' Hudson Kibblewhite
(Saskatoon Blades)
Regina, SK - Rookie forward Hudson Kibblewhite scored his first career WHL goal in defeat as the Saskatoon Blades fell 5-3 Friday at the Brandt Centre against the Regina Pats.
Saskatoon nearly dug themselves out of a 3-0 hole in the second period, but were never able to capture the lead. Anaheim Ducks draft pick Egor Sidorov extended his point streak to ten games with an assist in the loss, giving him 14 total on the year (8G, 6A).
Sophomore netminder Austin Elliott made crucial saves at points to keep his team in the fight but sees his record fall to 6-2-0-0.
The Blades are 8-4-0-0 on the season, remaining one of the top teams in a competitive Eastern Conference.
The two powerplays in the first period belonged to Saskatoon, one coming two minutes in and the other coming with two minutes left. The Blades didn't capitalize on either and headed to the dressing room scoreless.
Regina's won their last four games at home an showed why in the second. Saskatoon, SK forward Corban Almen netted his first career WHL goal to give the Pats a 1-0 lead 3:51 into the frame. It was another first career goal in the league 3:06 later when defenceman Aaron Krestanowich made it 2-0 for the hosts.
Almen enjoyed scoring against his hometown team so much he made it 3-0 Pats just over halfway through the game. The 16-year-old center owns three points in ten games this season.
6-foot-1 forward Kibblewhite joined the first-goal fun and netted his first WHL goal with 5:38 left in the second to cut the deficit to 3-1. The Vernon, BC product banked a puck off of the back of Pats goalie Kelton Pyne, swinging momentum back in favour of the Blue and Gold. Kibblewhite's big goal is also his first point, and the Blades weren't done this period.
Former Pat Easton Armstrong brought the Blades within one on the powerplay with 2:36 remaining in period two. It was the 6-foot-3 winger's first game back in the lineup after missing Tuesday's game against the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Abbotsford, BC native laser gives him eight goals and 11 points in nine games this year, and his second goal since being acquired by the Blades from the Wenatchee Wild on Oct. 10th.
Pats captain Tanner Howe regained the Pats two-goal lead 6:27 into the third. It initially looked like Elliott robbed the Prince Albert, SK native on a 2-on-0, but the call was reversed to a goal as the officials reviewed the play when they returned from media timeout. Howe extends his point streak to four games with two goals and five assists during that stretch.
Down a pair, Elliott headed to the bench for the extra attacker with 3:15 left on the clock. Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky brought the Blades within one with 1:08 left in the game, scoring his eighth goal of the season. 20-year-old forward Trevor Wong earned his second assist of the night on the tally.
The Blades had offensive zone possession but an empty-net from forward Jaxsin Vaughn sealed the 5-3 victory for the hosts.
What's Next?
The Blades hit the road to Westoba Place for their first meeting of the season against the Brandon Wheat Kings. It's the first time Brandon forward Jayden Wiens faces the Blades since being traded prior to the start of the regular season.
Puck drop for the Saturday tilt is 6:00pm CST.
Images from this story
 Saskatoon Blades' Ben Saunderson and Samuel Barcik battle Regina Pats' Hudson Kibblewhite |
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