WHL Saskatoon Blades

Game Preview: Playoff-Clinched Blades Head to Regina

March 7, 2020 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon Blades (32-24-2-3) at Regina Pats (21-33-5-2)

Date | Time Saturday, March 7th | 7:00pm CST

Place Brandt Centre, Regina, SK

Video Stream WHL Live

Radio 98 COOL FM | Pre-Game Show w/ Les Lazaruk @ 6:00pm CST

Mobile App Apple | Android

Next Home Game Wednesday, March 18th vs. Regina - Winning Wednesday

Social Media @BladesHockey| Facebook | Instagram

Official Viewing Party Shoeless Joe's Sports Grill Saskatoon

Tonight...

Fresh off a playoff-clinching victory in front of a strong crowd at the Sasktel Centre, the Saskatoon Blades travel southbound to Regina to wrap up a home-and-home series against their East Division rivals. Kyle Crnkovic one-timed the game-winner from the right circle last night, propelling the Blades to a 2-1 OT victory. It's the Blades fifth win in seven games, and second consecutive against the Pats.

https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/1236179831772958720

Head to head...

Neither team holds a sizable advantage over the other, with the Blades bringing a 2-0-1-1 with them on the road. Saskatoon has outlasted Regina in two straight games, including a 6-3 double-up on February 21st in Regina. Both of the Pats wins over the Blades have come after regulation, with a 4-3 overtime victory on home-ice on January 26th to open the season series, followed by a 3-2 win via shootout on February 5th in Saskatoon. The Blades penalty kill has been nearly unbeatable against Regina this season, going 15/16 in the season series.

Playoff race...

Officially with an 'x' next to their name, the Blades can now focus on gaining momentum and jostling for position in the East Division. They remain two points back of the Winnipeg ICE, who hold one game in hand, and seven behind the Brandon Wheat Kings. Prince Albert continues to lead the pack, with an 11 point advantage over Saskatoon. The Blades also hold two games in hand over Calgary for the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot, however the Hitmen have a six-point lead over Toon Town.

Crank that!

Kyle Cnkovic provided the exclamation point to a night full of excitement and energy. Wearing a powder blue HNIC jersey, the left-winger found a small hole under the glove of Pats goaltender Spencer Welke to seal a 2-1 overtime win last night. It's the 18-year-old's second game-winner of the season and fourth goal in eight games.

https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/1236391926955479041

Up next...

Saskatoon hits the road for a three-game road trip next week, beginning in Moose Jaw on Tuesday, and wrapping up with stops in Winnipeg and Brandon on Friday and Saturday. Their next home game comes on March 18th, closing out the season-series against the Pats, which is also the final Winning Wednesday contest of the season.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2020


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