WHL Saskatoon Blades

Gardner Steals Show with First Shutout, Blades Win 2-0 vs Hitmen

Published on October 15, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon Blades' Evan Gardner and Lukas Hansen celebrate win
Saskatoon Blades' Evan Gardner and Lukas Hansen celebrate win
(Saskatoon Blades)

Saskatoon, SK - Evan Gardner earned his first career shutout while forward Egor Sidorov's powerplay goal in the first period secured a 2-0 win Saturday over the Calgary Hitmen at SaskTel Centre.

The Lake Country, BC netminder stopped everything in his path, finishing with 32 saves on the evening. In his first four career starts, Gardner has notched his first career WHL win and shutout, both on home ice. The 6-foot-2 goalie improves to 2-2-0-0 on the season.

Sidorov's recorded a point in all six games since returning from Anaheim Ducks training camp, owning ten points (5G, 5A) on the season.

The Blue and Gold are winners of four straight games, the last two coming on back-to-back shutouts.

After going 2/21 on the powerplay in their first three games, the Blades powerplay came into tonight 7/19 in their last four. 6-foot sniper Sidorov made it five straight games with a goal on the man-advantage, putting Saskatoon in front 1-0 just over halfway through the opening frame. The goal extends the Vitebsk, Belarus product's point streak to six games, and captain Trevor Wong's assist extends his point streak to seven games. Nobody on either side found the net for the remainder of the first sending the Blades to the dressing room outshooting the visitors 11-6.

Action went back-and-forth in the middle frame but neither team found the back of the net, setting up a dramatic third period at SaskTel Centre.

The Hitmen threw everything they had at the Blades in the final 20 minutes but Gardner morphed into a brick wall to secure the shutout. Forward Vaughn Watterodt iced the frame with an empty-net goal in the dying seconds, keeping the Blades undefeated on home ice this season.

What's Next?

The Blades get right back to work tomorrow night at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert vs the Raiders.

Puck drop is 6:00pm CST.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics

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Saskatoon Blades' Evan Gardner and Lukas Hansen celebrate win
Saskatoon Blades' Evan Gardner and Lukas Hansen celebrate win
   



Western Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2023


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