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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Blades Youngsters Earn Win in Pre-Season Opener

August 31, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Prince Albert, SK - The Saskatoon Blades earned a 5-3 win in Prince Albert on Thursday night in the annual "Young Guns" rivalry game against the Raiders. Both Saskatoon and Prince Albert iced several of their 15 and 16-year-old prospects in what was a feisty affair.

Several young Blades registered their first WHL pre-season points including 2018 draft picks Colton Dach and Marek Schneider each with an assist. Schneider admitted playing in his hometown for his first WHL pre-season game helped ease the nerves. Both Colton Dach and Marek Schneider have older brothers in the league in Kirby Dach and Braden Schneider (Brandon Wheat Kings) who won gold together with Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Colton and Marek mentioned seeking advice from their older brothers prior to Thursday night's game, which appeared to help the young Blades prospects.

Majid Kaddoura got into two pre-season games last year, but found the scoresheet this time around chipping in with 2 assists. Braden Plaschewsky, a 2nd round pick in 2017, also picked up his first pre-season point in the WHL with a first period goal-- a wrist shot off the stick-side post from the high slot.

The final milestone of the night wasn't on the ice; Mitch Love earned his first (pre-season) win as a head coach in the Western Hockey League.

Riley McKay, Tristen Robins, and Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen (power play) all scored for the Blades. Michael Farren added an empty netter with under two minutes to play to seal the Blades victory.

In goal, 16-year-old Koen MacInnes stood tall turning aside 36 of 39 shots faced. MacInnes was also tasked with plenty of penalty kill time but managed to keep the Blades 5/7 on the night. Saskatoon's power play was 1/3.

Next up for the Blades is a pair of games in Regina against East Division opponents Moose Jaw on Friday and Swift Current on Saturday. Game times are 3:00pm.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from August 31, 2018


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