WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Welcome Warriors in Home Opener, Presented by Merlin Ford Lincoln

Published on October 2, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The Saskatoon Blades put an end to a 575-day-long wait for WHL hockey to return to SaskTel Centre as they host the Moose Jaw Warriors.

This is Saskatoon's first regular-season game since March 10th of 2020 - a 3-2 overtime win over the Regina Pats in a playoff-clinching victory.

Tonight's contest comes one night after the Warriors ran the table on Saskatoon in a 7-1 victory to open the campaign. Saskatoon-born forward Brayden Yager picked up his first career hat-trick in Moose Jaw's win.

Red Carpet Treatment

Blades faithful will have the opportunity to see their favourite team up close and personal ahead of puck drop as the entire crew walks down the red carpet to enter SaskTel Centre.

The coaches and players will start arriving shortly after the tailgate party begins at 4:00pm.

Country music singer Aaron Pritchett will take the stage outside SaskTel Centre at 5:00pm! Every ticket to the game gives you access to our red carpet entrance, as well as the concert!

Players to Watch

Alternate captain Tristen Robins is expected to make his season debut after being released by the San Jose Sharks earlier this week. The Clear Lake, MB product is entering his final year of WHL eligibility and comes into the campaign fresh off 10 days of training in San Jose. Robins finished second in team scoring last season with 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 16 games.

Draft-eligible forward Brandon Lisowsky notched the lone marker for Saskatoon Friday night, coming in the first period to tie the game 1-1. The Port Coquitlam, BC native led all Blades rookies in scoring with eight goals and nine assists in all 24 games last season.

Alternate captain Kyle Crnkovic led the Blades in preseason scoring with one goal and five assists in four games. The Chestermere, AB product collected an assist of Lisowsky's marker on Friday night, and also finished tied for first in team scoring against Moose Jaw last season with six points (3G-3A) in four games.

Tale of the Tape

Saskatoon has every reason to wake up for this one. Friday's 7-1 setback was just the second time in the last three years the Warriors have beaten the Blades in regulation.

The Blades have defeated the Warriors in eight of the last 11 games, holding an impressive 8-2-1-0 record over that time.

Over the last five seasons, Saskatoon continues to hold a sizable advantage with a 13-3-1-0 record against Moose Jaw. Saskatoon has also won five of the last eight on home ice against the Warriors.

COMPLETE GAME NOTES PACKAGE

NEED TO KNOW

The Saskatoon Blades are implementing its Vaccine Verification Program for the Home Opener, presented by Merlin Ford Lincoln. For more information on the program and how to ensure you make it to the game safely and quickly, CLICK HERE.

Our game day 50/50 is BACK!

Tickets are now available for purchase through our online portal, with sales opening at 9:00am every game day! Half of the winnings will go towards the Saskatoon Blades Education Fund.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Think you know who'll score our first goal tonight? Look for our First Goal Prediction contest on all of our social media platforms and the Blades Official App! Good luck!

Moose Jaw Warriors (1-0-0-0) @ Saskatoon Blades (0-1-0-0)

Date | Time Saturday, Oct. 2nd| 7:00pm MT

Place SaskTel Centre, Saskatoon, SK

Video Stream WHL Live

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

Mobile App Apple | Android

What's Next Brandon Wheat Kings | Saturday, Oct. 9th @ Westoba Place

Social Media @BladesHockey| Facebook | Instagram

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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