Gardner Named WHL Rookie of the Week for Second Time this Month
February 20, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
Saskatoon Blades goaltender Evan Gardner
(Saskatoon Blades)
Saskatoon, SK - Saskatoon Blades netminder Evan Gardner has been named Western Hockey League (WHL) Rookie of the Week for his performance between Monday, February 12th and Sunday, February 18th. It's the second time the Fort St. John, BC product received the honour this month.
The NHL draft-eligible goalie recorded a 16-save shutout in his lone start during the week on Friday, February 16th against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at ENMAX Centre. The performance earned the 6-foot-2 goalie second star of the game as he collected his third shutout of the season, tied for second most in the league.
Although not taken into consideration for this week's award, Gardner also stopped 23-of-25 shots in the team's 5-2 victory Monday at Westoba Place against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The 18-year-old sports a 17-5-0-2 record with a 1.89 goals-against-average (2nd in WHL) and a .929 save-percentage (1st in WHL).
The Blades have won 11 straight games, and Gardner has contributed to five of them. Saskatoon are ranked first in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) with a 42-9-2-3 record and sit first in the WHL with 89 points, 11 up on the second-place Everett Silvertips.
The Bridge City Bunch begin a three-game homestand Friday, February 23rd at SaskTel Centre in a rematch against Wheat Kings. Their barn has been the toughest place to play in all of Canada with a home record of 23-1-1-0.
Puck drop is 7:00pm.
Images from this story
 Saskatoon Blades goaltender Evan Gardner |
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