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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Start Busy Weekend against Oil Kings

February 4, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Edmonton Oil Kings (30-10-2-1) @ Saskatoon Blades (22-15-1-1)

Date | Time Friday, February 2nd | 7:00pm

Place SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon, SK

Video Stream WHL Live

Radio 600 CJWW Radio | Pre-Game Show w/ Les Lazaruk @ 6:30pm

Mobile App Apple | Android

What's Next CMHA Night | February 5th vs Red Deer Rebels (7:00pm)

Social Media Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

The Saskatoon Blades kick off a busy weekend at SaskTel Centre when they welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Come enjoy a great evening of hockey, and celebrate longtime voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk, who called his 2000th game on Wednesday in Regina against the Pats. The Blades will host an on-ice presentation with the legendary broadcaster ahead of puckdrop, complete with a video congratulating Lazaruk on the milestone.

The action doesn't stop there as the team prepares for the Red Deer Rebels the following night.

Tonight

The Saskatoon Blades (22-15-1-1) look to snap the Edmonton Oil Kings (30-10-2-1) three-game win streak, as they open a five-game home-stand at SaskTel Centre.

The Blades are coming off a 5-4 thriller at the Brandt Centre in Regina on Wednesday night.

Alternate captain Kyle Crnkovic came in clutch for the club, notching two powerplay goals including the game-winner, and added an assist. The performance makes Chestermere, AB product the WHL's leading scorer - the first to hit the 60 point mark.

The powerplay was a huge factor in the victory, and will be crucial going up against the WHL's top team. Saskatoon went four-for-five on the man advantage against Regina, bumping them to second in the league at 28.5%. The Oil Kings however have the second-best penalty kill in the WHL, hovering at 82.9%.

Both teams are tied with the Brandon Wheat Kings with eight shorthanded goals, the most in the league.

Saskatoon is in the middle of a tight playoff race for home-ice with 46 points. The win over Regina moves them within four points of the second-place Moose Jaw Warriors, and created a two-point separation from the fourth place Wheat Kings.

Who To Watch

Chestermere, AB's Kyle Crnkovic is first in WHL scoring. The 19-year-old forward has 60 points in 39 games this season, and a team-leading 25 goals. The Blades alternate captain had an eight-game point streak snapped against Brandon on January 30th, but got right back on the scoreboard with three points in his last contest.

January's Foursight Player of the Month Jayden Wiens carried his momentum into February. The Carrot River, SK product opened the scoring last game, and added in a helper on the night - his fourth multi-point performance in his last six games. This puts the 5-foot-9 forward up to 14 goals and 27 points in his sophomore season, both career highs.

Blades captain Aiden De La Gorgendiere has been a rock on the back end for the team all season. Helping quarterback the powerplay, the Langley, BC native assisted on three powerplay markers last game against the Pats. The 6-foot-1 blueliner has a career-high 32 points, all in just 37 games.

A Night to Remember

Lazarak was honoured prior to the game in Regina, featuring a touching video tribute with cameos from numerous sportscasters and alumni, including iconic Medicine Hat Tigers announcer Bob Ridley, and former Blades head coach Mitch Love.

The veteran broadcaster called his first game with the team in 1994, coincidentally in the same building he's calling his 2000th. Saskatoon would go on to win that game 8-3.

Over two-and-a-half decades later, the team made him proud once again.

Pregame Happy Hour is back!

If you've got a ticket to the game tonight, be sure to come by right as the doors open at 6:00pm and take full advantage of our Pregame Happy Hour, presented by Canadian Brewhouse!

Every Friday game, our friends at Canadian Brewhouse are pitching in to offer $5 beer from 6:00pm - 7:00pm.

Come out early and get your pregame on before the action begins!

Game Day 50/50

Tonight's Game Day 50/50 is in support of the Saskatoon Blades Education Fund, with sales opening at 9:00am and running until the second intermission.

Saves for Hunger

This season, The Saskatoon Blades have partnered with Nutrien to launch the "Saves for Hunger" Campaign. For every save a Blades netminder makes this season, Nutrien is donating $5 to a local organization. Blades goaltenders have made 1110 saves so far, running the tally up to $5550 raised as the team welcomes Edmonton.

Think you know who'll score our first goal? Look for our First Goal Prediction Contest, brought to you by Boston Pizza, on all of our social media platforms! Good luck!

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2022


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