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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Win Fourth Straight Friday Night over Wheat Kings

December 15, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


The Saskatoon Blades won their 4th straight game on Friday improving their overall record to 21-10-3-0 on the season thanks to a 3-2 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings at SaskTel Centre. The two squads will now jump on the bus back to Brandon to finish up the home & home series and close out the first half of the season before the holiday break.

HOW IT WENT DOWN

The Wheat Kings got on the board first thanks to 16-year-old rookie Ridley Greig. Saskatoon was quick to respond as Brandon Machado(2) deflected a point shot from Dawson Davidson to get through Wheat Kings' netminder Ethan Kruger. Zach Huber had the second helper on the goal. Josh Paterson (10) then gave the home side the lead with under five minutes left in the first; Nolan Kneen and Brandon Schuldhaus had the assists.

Saskatoon thought they had a 3-1 lead late in the frame, but a Kirby Dach goal was disallowed due to goaltender interference. As a result, Gary Haden was assessed a 2-minute minor on the play and 10 minute misconduct for a mouthguard violation.

Brandon got even late in the second period with a short-handed marker from veteran Linden McCorrister (11).

The Wheat Kings found another gear in the final period outshooting the Blades 18-5, but Gary Haden (13) scored the game winner with just :04 seconds left on the clock. Josh Paterson set up Haden in the slot, Kruger made the initial save but the puck the deflected into the back of the net off a Wheat King players' skate. Perhaps a little luck going back in the favour after the disallowed goal in the first period.

It was the second straight game Gary Haden scored the game winner, now leading the team with 5 game winning goals on the season.

TURNING POINT

Saskatoon's disallowed goal late in the first period allowed the Wheat Kings to get back into the game and negated what was an extended 5-on-3 power play opportunity for the Blades. From that point on, the Wheat Kings outshot the Blades 29-13. Luckily, Saskatoon was able to finish the game in regulation and not give any extra points to their division rivals.

TOP PERFORMERS

Nolan Maier made 33 saves and was named the 1st star of the game.

Chase Wouters had an assist, was +2, and went 12/20 in the face-off circle.

Josh Paterson had a goal, an assist, and finished the night with a +2 rating.

NOTEWORTHY NUMBERS

Brandon Machado went 6/7 in face-offs... he also scored his 2nd goal of the season doubling his single tally from his rookie campaign last year.

The Blades improved to 10-3-0-0 on the season when they allow the first goal of the game.

Nolan Kneen extended his point streak to 3 games with an assist. (3A)

Josh Paterson registered his 3rd multi-point game in his last 4 games played.

UP NEXT

The Blades close out the first half of the season in Brandon on Saturday night. The second half kicks off on Thursday, Dec. 27th at SaskTel Centre when the Blades host the Prince Albert Raiders.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 15, 2018


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