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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Lee's Two-Point Night Powers Blades to Victory over Oil Kings

September 18, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


SASKATOON, SK - Three goals in the third period earned the Saskatoon Blades an opening night exhibition victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday at SaskTel Centre.

In what was their first game on home ice in 560 days, Saskatoon skated to a 4-3 victory over the defending Central Division champs to jump out to a 1-0-0-0 preseason record.

These two teams will clash once more on Saturday afternoon (4:00pm) at SaskTel Centre to wrap up their exhibition series.

Blades rookie netminder Austin Elliot stopped 27 of 30 shots to earn the victory in his exhibition debut, while Edmonton's Colby Knight made 20 saves in defeat.

Keagan Slaney of the Edmonton Oil Kings earned the game's third star. Evan Patrician, who notched the game-winner took second star honours.

Brendan Lee's two point effort earned the new Blade a game's first star.

COMPLETE BOXSCORE

It took Jacob Boucher 8:12 into the second period to break the scoreless tie, cutting below the net and catching Elliott off-guard before wrapping it around and in. Boucher leads the Oil Kings in pre-season goals, having netted a pair of third-period markers against Red Deer last weekend in a 5-3 victory.

The lead didn't last long, however.

Brendan Lee's pre-season Blades debut got off to a hot start, lifting a quick backhand over the shoulder of Oil Kings netminder Colby Knight after Kyle Crnkovic caught Lee with a breakaway pass.

The former Everett Silvertip was traded to Saskatoon in exchange for netminder Koen MacInnes during the off-season, and is expected to fill a big offensive hole in the Blades lineup this season.

https://twitter.com/BladesHockey/status/1439056110405787651

Goals won't come any easier for Kobe Verbicky moments after Lee tied the game. After stripping several forwards from the puck behind Elliott's net, Josh Paulhus's clearing attempt ricocheted off Verbicky's skate and into an open cage, giving the Oil Kings a lucky 2-1 lead.

A fast-paced third period started off with a pair of Blades goals to give the home team its first lead of the game. Last year's leading rookie scorer Brandon Lisowsky staved off a check in tight to snap home his first of the preseason, tying the game 2-2. Less than two minutes later, Paulhus made up for his second-period blunder by one-timing his first preseason tally from the low slot.

8:18 into the final frame, Brendan Kuny tied the game with his second the preseason after Keagan Slaney set him up in the slot.

Arguable the most critical point of the game came Boucher took a high-sticking penalty, giving Saskatoon a partial two-man advantage. Blades head coach Brennan Sonne called a 30-second timeout and hashed out the game-plan which ultimately led to the game-winner.

After circling the attacking zone for several seconds, Aidan De La Gorgendiere's point-shot deflected right on the stick of Evan Patrician, who wasted no time dishing home the winning marker into a yawning cage.

Saskatoon and Edmonton will now turn their attention to Saturday's afternoon matinee, which begins at 4:00pm MT.

TICKETS CAN BE FOUND HERE

2021-22 season ticket memberships are now on sale for as low as $17 per game for adults, and $5 for children. Single-game tickets are also now on sale, and can be found HERE for purchase.

Be sure to contact one of our ticket associates by calling/texting (306) 975-8844, or shoot us an email at info@saskatoonblades.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 18, 2021


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