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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Four Unanswered Sink Blades against Raiders

December 27, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


PRINCE ALBERT - It's a cliche, but one that has proven to be a key component to Blades success and downfalls this season

After seven days off due to the Holiday break, the Blades came into tonight's action against the Raiders with fresh legs and a fresh mind. The hosting Raiders were not in the giving spirit however, as four 3rd period goals sunk the Blades and give the Raiders a 6-2 win.

"We were more than excited to play," said 20 year old, Connor Gay. "I don't know what happened in the 3rd. The first couple goals went in and it just took a toll on us."

In a game which the Blades couldn't seem to find the momentum needed to stick with the rival Raiders, Saskatoon did manage to stick with the home team for the first 40 minutes. An early goal by Brendan Guhle gave the Raiders the lead which held until the last minute of the first period. Connor Gay extended his point streak to eight games with a nice backhand past 16 year old goaltender Ian Scott, with an assist, Nick Zajac also extended his point streak to seven games.

The second period saw much of the same from both teams. The physical play picked up, seeing both teams trade heavy blows, ringing the loud boards at the Art Hauser Centre.

"We had a lot of guys that were banging and crashing," said Gay.

"They're a hard team to play against," added rookie winger Cam Hausinger. "Especially in their barn, they come out hard, and their fans push them a lot which pushes them and motivates them to play harder." Hausinger added.

Matteo Gennaro extended the Raiders lead just under seven minutes into the 2nd as a bouncing puck rebounded off the Winnipeg draft pick and in. The Blades stayed resilient however, tying the game up just over seven minutes later on an unusual play which saw leading scorer Cameron Hebig centre a puck from behind the net which banked off a couple players before finding the back of the net off of captain Nick Zajac.

The Raiders acme out flying in the final frame, a pace which the Blades couldn't match and saw the Raiders take the lead once again early on a goal by Sean Montgomery. Montgomery would double the lead just a couple minutes later on the powerplay. A third unanswered goal from the Raiders just short of the mid way point of the period would put the game out of reach for the Blades.

"I think in that 3rd period it's just a matter of focus," added Gay. "Coming into the 3rd period, it's the biggest period, it's the biggest period. We can regroup and be ready for Tuesday."

As mentioned by Connor Gay, the Blades next game comes Tuesday as they travel to Regina to face the Pats for the 4th time in December. The Blades know that they will have to live by the cliche of "playing a full 60 minutes" in order to be successful going forward.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2015


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