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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Take Top Spot in East; Knock off Raiders 3-1

March 20, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


REGINA, SK - Timely scoring thanks to a couple defenceman helped the Saskatoon Blades return to the win column on Friday night.

Veteran blueliners Aidan De La Gorgendiere and Rhett Rhinehart tallied a pair of second-period markers, and alternate captain Tristen Robins recorded two assists, catapulting the Blue & Gold to a 3-1 victory over their rivals, the Prince Albert Raiders, at the Brandt Centre.

It was the first goals of the season for both defenders, helping the Blades improve to 3-0-1-0 on the regular season. Saskatoon now owns sole possession of first place in the East Division, one point up on the Moose Jaw Warriors and Winnipeg ICE.

In what was the lone Hub Centre contest of the day, Saskatoon opened the scoring just 3:54 into the game. Alternate captain Caiden Daley snuck in behind the Raiders defence, and finished off a pretty pass from Chase Wouters from the corner. Rookie Brandon Lisowsky was credited with the secondary assist - the first in his young career.

Evan Pearce struck with less than three minutes to go in the first to tie the game 1-1. Saskatoon held an 8-5 shot advantage through 20 minutes.

Second-period action tilted towards the Raiders end, with the Blades doubling up PA's shot output 10-5.

Robins, who was named the game's first star, set up both goals in the middle frame. First, the San Jose Sharks draft pick put a smooth move around Raiders defenceman Remy Aquilon and found De La Gorgendiere streaking towards the net near the hash-marks.

Rhinehart took a more direct approach for his goal, taking a drop pass from Robins before cutting across the middle of the slot and roofing home his first of the campaign.

Prince Albert was given plenty of opportunity to draw closer in the third period, but the Blades buckled down with a series of shot blocks and clearing attempts to cruise to victory. This includes killing off all seven penalties through the game, including a late six-on-three advantage for the Raiders.

Nolan Maier withstood a barrage of pressure in the final 10 minutes of play, and put together a terrific showing stopping 17 of 18 shots fired his way. This includes a point-blank blocker stop off Brandon Kozier to keep the Raiders trailing by two.

The Yorkton, SK product improves to 3-0-0-0 on the season, and has won seven of the last nine meetings against the Raiders dating back to the beginning of last season.

Career-wise, Maier is now up to 82 wins, passing Norm Maracle for second on the all-time franchise wins list. He's three wins back of record-holder Tim Cheveldae.

Saskatoon returns to action on Sunday, battling the Moose Jaw Warriors at 8:00 p.m.

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