WHL Saskatoon Blades

Fasko-Rudas' Hat-Trick Powers Blades to OT Victory

Published on January 29, 2020 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon, SK - Two minutes and twenty seconds was all it took for Martin Fasko-Rudas' second career hat trick to flip Tuesday night's narrative against the Victoria Royals as the Blades snatched two important points from the British Columbian visitors in overtime.

The Blades' trailed by two goals following the first two periods of the game, but a natural hat-trick scored within 2:20 in the third period flipped the game on it's head with the Blades' going from down 2-0 to up 3-2 in a mere matter of moments.

"I have to thank my teammates for the great passes and great help... it was a hell of a job from the team, the guys," said Fasko-Rudas of his hat-trick and the comeback win post game.

Victoria, in a perfect act of irony, would strike back soon after through former Blade Gary Haden in his return to Saskatoon - sending the game to overtime.

Saskatoon, and Chase Wouters, had other plans in mind. Rushing into the Royals' defensive end, Kyle Crnkovic took the puck wide on the left wing before dishing it back in the slot to Wouters. There, Wouters picked his shot and struck truly for his fifth game winning goal of the season, 10th power play tally of the season & 21st overall goal for the year - ending the game 4-3 for the Blades just 36 seconds into overtime.

Crnkovic finished his evening with three assists, including the primary assist on the GWG. Scott Walford ended his night with two assists, extending his points-streak to six games (1G-9A).

In addition to the game-winner, Wouters notched an assist for a multipoint night, while Radek Kucerik & Caiden Daley each finished their evening with an assist too - for Daley the assist was his first point as a Blade.

Reliable rookie netminder Koen MacInnes stopped 28 of 31 shots faced for his ninth straight start.

Saskatoon finished the night outshooting Victoria 32-31, marking the seventh straight game Saskatoon has outshot their opponents.

The boys next play on Friday, January 31st, in Moose Jaw against the Warriors. Puck drop is at 7pm and can be listened to live on 98 COOL FM or tuned into at WHLlive.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2020


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