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WHL Saskatoon Blades

De La Gorgendiere, Blades Top Raiders 3-2

December 17, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


PRINCE ALBERT, SK - He threw his head back, raised his arms, and roared to the rafters of the Art Hauser Centre.

It was clear this goal meant a little more for Aidan De La Gorgendiere.

The captain scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, leading the Saskatoon Blades to a gritty 3-2 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders in enemy territory on Saturday night.

De La Gorgendiere's shot came from the. high slot, torpedoing through a mesh of sticks, gloves, bodies, and legs before bobbling its way into the cage behind Tikhon Chaika, silencing one of the rowdiest buildings in the WHL.

It's his first game-winner and second goal of the season. Trevor Wong and Brendan Lee also found the scoresheet, both of which in the first period, helping push the Blades to a 15-12-1-0 record.

The two Highway 11 rivals will close out the home-and-home series on Saturday at SaskTel Centre in the Blades annual Teddy Bear Toss stanza.

Nolan Maier made 31 saves to earn his 12th win of the season, matching his mark from the 2021 Hub Season in Regina. It's also his franchise-record 103rd victory of his career.

Chaika turned aside 25 of 28 in the loss.

Saskatoon struck twice in the second period less than two minutes apart.

After Sloan Stanick banged home a rebound to give the Raiders an early lead, Brendan Lee took a pass from Tristen Robins in the slot and bounced a shot over the pad of Tikhon Chaika.

Moments later, Wong partially cut-off a pass, giving Brandon Lisowsky enough time to narrowly keep it in the zone. Lisowsky returned the favour to Wong, who snuck a low shot between the wickets of the Raiders netminder.

Saskatoon went into the first intermission leading 2-1, with Maier making 13 saves.

Scoring was scarce in the second period, but as to be expected with the Highway 11 Rivalry, there was plenty of physical play. Post-whistles routinely turned into scrums, minor checks, and face washes dished from either side.

Captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere stuck up for rookie Lukas Hansen near the end of the period, whacking the hands of a Raiders defender, skirting a fine line while avoiding a penalty.

Saskatoon pressured for their third goal with time winding down, but Chaika was there to rob several point-blank chances, including a golden opportunity in front for alternate captain Kyle Cnrkovic.

Prince Albert held a 23-21 edge in shots, but it was the Blue & Gold heading into the second intermission leading 2-1.

The Raiders drew even on the powerplay approaching the four-minute mark of the third. Reece Vitelli tipped a high shot from Ozzy Wiesblatt that found a hole low on Maier.

It remained tied until the Blades captain worked wonders with his long, pinball-ish snapshot, which came with just 3:21 to play.

From there, it was all Maier down the stretch, making several key stops in the final seconds, including a cross-ice one-timer from Carson Latimer with the net empty.

Saskatoon will now turn their attention to Saturday night in a quest for a home-and-home sweep against Prince Albert. The puck drops at 7:00pm, with doors to SaskTel Centre opening at 6:00pm.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2021


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