Crnkovic Nets a Pair, Reclaims Scoring Leader
February 20, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
CALGARY, AB - Kyle Crnkovic did it again.
The Chestermere, AB product had three points on Sunday afternoon, netting two goals and one assist to help the Saskatoon Blades defeat the Calgary Hitmen 4-1 at Scotiabank Saddledome.
The win comes less than 24 hours after falling to the nations best Edmonton Oil Kings 9-1.
All three of Crnkovic's points came in the third period, proving to be the difference maker with the contest being tied heading into the final frame. Crnkovic's three point performance pushes him back into first place in league scoring with 73. Arshdeep Bains of the Red Rebels now sits in second with 71.
Tristen Robins had a goal and an assist while Trevor Wong lit the lamp for the Bridge City Bunch. Brandon Lisowsky, Tanner Molendyk and Egor Sidorov also found the scoresheet for the Blades, each netting an assist.
Blades netminder Ethan Chadwick was stellar in net, stopping 23 shots to earn his fourth win of the year and to help Saskatoon improve to 27-18-1-1 on the campaign.
Hitmen goaltender Ethan Buenaventura made 31 saves in the loss as Calgary falls to 18-22-5-2 on the year.
Compared to last night in Edmonton, it was much different first period for Saskatoon as the blue and gold were firing on all cylinders. The Blades piled on the pressure in the offensive zone, creating scoring chances and forcing turnovers.
Eventually, Saskatoon's continuous offensive pressure resulted in the games first goal.
Calgary's Carter Yakemchuk coughed up the puck on the blue line and Lisowsky was there to send a no-look pass to Wong who was left alone in front. The Blades center made no mistake, scoring on a beautiful backhander to extend his point streak to seven games.
Tempers flared towards the end of the period with Calgary's Blake Allen battling it out with Blades Vaughn Watterodt in an attempt to get something going for the Hitmen. Watterodt took Allen down in a short tilt.
The fight sparked some life in the Hitmen heading into the second. Calgary scored the lone marker in the period only five minutes in thanks to Zac Funk potting his 16th of the year.
The tie was broken midway through the third with Saskatoon power play unit going to work.
Crnkovic shot a pass to Molendyk on the point whose shot was blocked, but Robins was there to put away the loose puck to put the Blades back on top.
From there, it was all Kyle Crnkovic.
The Blades alternate captain netted two goals in two minutes, including a short-handed breakaway.
The first was set up by Sidorov who dropped the puck off for Robins. He then fed Crnkovic at the top of the left circle who put it past Buenaventura, scoring his 31st of the year and pushing him back into first place in the league learders in points.
The second was a breakaway beauty.
Crnkovic forced a Hitmen turnover and took it up the right side boards and made it look easy, going wide side on the Calgary netminder.
The Blades continue there five-game road-trip on Wednesday night in Brandon to take on the Wheat Kings at 7:00P.M.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2022
- Crnkovic Nets a Pair, Reclaims Scoring Leader - Saskatoon Blades
- Saskatoon Says Goodbye to Hitmen with 4-1 Win - Calgary Hitmen
- Preview: Americans at Rockets - Kelowna Rockets
- Chiefs Close out Road Trip against Portland Sunday - Spokane Chiefs
- Game #47 Preview: Blades at Hitmen - Saskatoon Blades
- Americans Down Chiefs in Overtime - Tri-City Americans
- T-Birds Fly Past Winterhawks - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Thrilling Third-Period Rally Lifts Rebels over Top-Ranked Ice - Red Deer Rebels
- Guenther's Four Pushes Oil Kings Streak to Five - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Game Day Hub: February 20 vs Spokane - Portland Winterhawks
- Another 3-2 Setback Sends Cougars to Weekend Skid - Prince George Cougars
- Tigers Host Hurricanes - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Sweeping Our Way out of Swift Current - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Rockets Sneak past Cougars Again - Kelowna Rockets
- Giants Bounce Back with a Thrilling Overtime Victory in Kamloops - Vancouver Giants
- Red Deer Rallies past ICE 3-2 - Winnipeg Ice
- Portland Loses to Seattle for First Time in Three Months - Portland Winterhawks
- Silvertips Clinch Playoff Berth with 3-1 Home Win over Victoria - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Force Overtime, But Fall 4-3 to Rival Tri-City Americans - Spokane Chiefs
- Silvertips Defeat Royals 3-1 in Tight Saturday Night Contest - Victoria Royals
- Blades Topped by Oil Kings, Refocus for Hitmen Tomorrow - Saskatoon Blades
- Warriors Score Solid Win in Prince Albert - Moose Jaw Warriors
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