Hebig The Hero
February 20, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
SASKATOON, SK - After what was probably their biggest win in a very long time, a classic Saturday matchup between the Saskatoon Blades and the Prince Albert Raiders. Thought it wasn't a blow out game by any means, it still was fun and exciting to watch.
The Blades got on the board early. Less than four minutes in to be exact. Nolan Reid let point let the shot go and Logan Christensen didn't give up on the play and kept jabbing away at Rylan Parenteau and the puck eventually crossed the line giving the Blades a 1-0 lead early in the game.
A very back and forth first period for both teams as the exchanged good quality chances back and for th leaving the Raiders to lead the shots in the first period 11 to 7.
Heading into the second period the Blades looked to add to their lead but didn't play the way in their own zone the way they did 24 hours ago. It was all Raiders in the second period as they dominated in the offensive zone generating seven shots on net.
The Blades only generated a few good quality scoring chances coming from the top line of Cameron Hebig and Ryan Graham.
Prince Albert got on the board themselves with less than four minutes into the third as Jesse Lees sent a long stretch pass to Lane Bensmiller who tied the game at one on a high glove shot that beat Hamm.
After the Prince Albert goal it was all back and forth hockey as both teams got glorious opportunities to put the game away but Brock Hamm continued to stand on his head making the big saves the team needed.
It was a real nail biter in the dying stages of the third period as Saskatoon pushed hard to generate as SaskTel Centre held it's breath in hopes for a miraculous goal.
With the score tied the game concluded in the best way possible, in overtime!
In the extra frame, Ryan Graham on the rush on his off wing, dished it to a wide open Cameron Hebig on the one timer that would end the game as the Blades earned their third straight win.
"Grahamer (Ryan Graham) went off the wall, cut to the middle and took it wide, he had two guys on him and he made a nice pass out front and I was all alone and all I had to do was just had to shoot it in," says Hebig describing his overtime winner.
"It was a lot different game than last night in Swift Current but it was more of a playoff type game just two teams grinding it out. I thought there were way too many turnovers early on and that's why we ended up playing in our own zone a lot. But the one thing we did in our zone was play good defensively. We didn't give up a lot of shots and kept everything on the outside and Hamm made the saves when he needed too," added Bob Woods on the teams play through 60 minutes.
The Blades will have a day to prepare for the Kinsmen Team Up For Respect Game at 11:30 a.m. against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Monday.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2016
- Hebig The Hero - Saskatoon Blades
- Oil Kings Bounce Back in Moose Jaw - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Prince Albert drops overtime decision to rivals - Prince Albert Raiders
- Game Day: Blazers Get Rematch with Royals After Friday Night Loss - Kamloops Blazers
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, February 20 vs Lethbridge - Calgary Hitmen
- Saturday Night in Swifty - Swift Current Broncos
- Game 59: February 20 vs. Portland - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Bear Takes a Bite out of Chiefs - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Tri-City blanks Everett - Everett Silvertips
- Sarthou, Americans Blank Everett 2-0 on Pink Ice Night - Tri-City Americans
- Rebels Drop a 3-1 Decision in Prince George - Red Deer Rebels
- Blazers Dropped 4-1 By Royals - Kamloops Blazers
- Hockey Hounds Game Worn Jersey Draw - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rockets Outlast Giants 6-5 - Vancouver Giants
- Royals Down Blazers - Victoria Royals
- Blazers Dropped 4-1 By Royals - Kamloops Blazers
- Rockets Race Back for 6-5 Win over Vancouver - Kelowna Rockets
- Kelowna slips past Vancouver - Kelowna Rockets
- A Heartfelt Performance - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Wheat Kings Top Oil Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Goals Galore In Series Finale Against Broncos - Saskatoon Blades
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