
Game Preview: Blades Aim to Take out Hitmen
January 11, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
Calgary Hitmen (20-16-3-1) at Saskatoon Blades (26-12-5-0)
Date | Time | Place Friday, Jan. 11th | 7:00 p.m | SaskTel Centre
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Next Home Game Saturday, Jan. 12th vs Portland
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Tonight is Video Game Night! Arrive early to try out all the games on the concourse from classics like Ms. Pacman to new favourites like Fortnite and NHL19 on PS4 and Xbox. Doors open at 6:00pm
Tonight...
The Blades welcome one of the hottest teams in the WHL in the Calgary Hitmen, who are on a 5-game winning streak. Saskatoon enters having won 5 of their last 6 games and looking to extend their 4-0 record on home ice in 2019. Newly acquired forward Ryan Hughes who was acquired yesterday from Portland is expected to make his debut along with Cyle McNabb who was acquired on Monday from Kootenay.
The last game...
Kyle Crnkovic (4), Josh Paterson (14), Chase Wouters (8), and Eric Florchuk (11) scored for the Blades in a 4-3 victory over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds on Tuesday night. Crnkovic also had 2 assists for his first career multi-point game. Dorrin Luding made 33 saves for his 5th win of the season. Meanwhile, the Hitmen are coming off a 3-2 shootout win on Wednesday in Moose Jaw.
Head to head...
Tonight is the 4th and final meeting of the season between the Blades and Hitmen; Saskatoon leads the season series 2-0-1-0. Kirby Dach leads the series scoring with 3G-3A, Josh Prokop leads the Hitmen with 2G-2A. Dorrin Luding is 1-0-1-0 with 1 SO in the series... Carl Stankowski has the victory in goal for Calgary.
Who's hot...
Rookie Kyle Crnkovic has 9 points in his last 9GP including 4pts in his last 2 outings. Gary Haden has 32 points in 30 games since joining the Blades and 10 points in his last 8GP. Max Gerlach is on a 9-game point streak with 7G-4A. Captain Chase Wouters has 7 points in his last 6 games.
Nolan Maier was named the WHL Goalie of the Week on Monday. Last week, Maier posted a .932SV% and a 1.66GAA. The 18-year-old Hlinka-Gretzky gold medalist has won his last 4 starts. Last season as a 16-year-old rookie, Maier had 23 wins... he's already at 21 this season.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2019
- Close Game Decided in the Third Period - Portland Winterhawks
- Kastelic Scores in OT to Lift Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- WHL Announces Five-Game Suspension for Blazers' Faith - WHL
- Cougars Solidify Blue-Line - Prince George Cougars
- Game Preview: Blades Aim to Take out Hitmen - Saskatoon Blades
- Game 42 vs Regina - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland at Prince Albert - Game #42 - Portland Winterhawks
- Broncos Put 'C' on Nagel and Name Leadership Group - Swift Current Broncos
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, January 11 at Saskatoon - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Head to Medicine Hat for Final Meeting of 2018-19 with Tigers - Regina Pats
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