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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Calvert's Game-Winner Highlights Blades 4-1 Win in Prince Albert

December 28, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


PRINCE ALBERT, SK - Rowan Calvert didn't look a step out of place in his WHL debut, scoring the game-winning goal to lead the Saskatoon Blades to a 4-1 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders on Monday.

The rookie forward lit the lamp midway through the second period, which, at the time, gave the Blades a critical 2-0 lead. Although Prince Albert scored with time winding down in the second, Calvert's marker ultimately proved to be a difference-maker, helping keep the Raiders from mounting a comeback.

The win comes after the Raiders defeated the Blades at SaskTel Centre on Dec. 18 in the last game before the Christmas break. It's also the second straight victory at the Art Hauser Centre for Saskatoon, which improve to 16-13-1-0 on the campaign.

Three defenders - Tanner Molendyk, Spencer Shugrue, and Charlie Wright - also scored for the blue and gold, while Kyle Crnkovic, Pavel Bocharov, and Jayden Wiens each had an assist.

Nolan Maier stopped 23 of 24 shots to pick up win number 13, while Raiders netminder Tikhon Chaika stopped 15 of 18 as Prince Albert falls to 12-15-1-1 on the year.

The Blades opened the scoring late in the opening period after Molendyk showed off tremendous speed and finesse to net his second of the year.

Saskatoon's lead was strengthened to 2-0 thanks to Calvert's quick finish on the side of the net. Wiens found the young forward after muscling the puck free from behind the net.

Not too long after, the Raiders broke the goose egg as Landon Kosior went five-hole on Maier to cut the lead to 2-1. But Saskatoon restored its two-goal lead 6:47 into the third thanks to an intercepted pass by Shugrue, who cut towards the goal and found a hole between the legs of Chaika.

Wright added an empty netter, his first of the campaign, rounding out the scoring for the Blades.

This is the first of four games in six nights for Saskatoon, who are coming off a nine-day break for Christmas. They'll reconvene at SaskTel Centre on Tuesday, hosting the Red Deer Rebels at 7:00pm before hosting Prince Albert in a rematch on Thursday.

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