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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Maier Collects 9th Career Shutout in 3-0 Win over Broncos

April 14, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


REGINA, SK - Nolan Maier has rewritten the record book again.

The veteran goaltender recorded his record-tying ninth career shutout, helping the Saskatoon Blades (13-2-2-0) capture a fourth straight victory by beating the Swift Current Broncos (3-13-1-0) 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon.

Maier, who set a new franchise record for most career victories as a Blade earlier this season, is now tied with Andrey Makarov for most shutouts as a Blade. The Yorkton, SK product stopped all 27-shots fired his way in his division-leading 10th victory this season. He's one win back of Sebastian Cossa of the Edmonton Oil Kings for the league lead.

Saskatoon reclaimed first place of the East Division with the win - two points up on the Brandon Wheat Kings. They'll return tomorrow afternoon as the home team against the Regina Pats before wrapping up their season series against the Broncos on Saturday night.

The Blades, who are 3-0 against the Broncos this season, received a pair of goals from Blake Stevenson and a single marker from captain Chase Wouters.

Stevenson struck twice in the opening period of play with goals that looked fairly similar. Both markers involved a pass from the left-wing corner, followed by a one-timer past Broncos netminder Isaac Poulter.

The first tally came off a goal-line feed from Wyatt McLeod who found Stevenson breaking free of three Broncos defenders to reach the front of the net.

Less than two minutes later, Stevenson rang the puck along the boards for Evan Patrician behind the net, who returned the pass to Stevenson in front for a one-touch snap-shot into the cage.

Saskatoon outshot Swift Current 17-7 in the first period and took a 2-0 lead into the 1st intermission.

Rookie defenceman Ben Saunderson, who returned to action after missing time with an upper-body injury, collected his first career point in the 2nd period. The Carberry, MB product fired a high shot over the Broncos net that ricocheted off the glass and onto the stick of Chase Wouters. The captain easily tapped home his seventh of the year, giving Saunderson the primary assist.

Despite lacking the efforts of leading scorer Tristen Robins, who's out with a lower-body injury, the rest of the team stepped up, especially Maier.

The netminder continues to prove his place as one of the best league's best. Over the last three games, The 2001-born goaltender has stopped 89 of 94 shots, earning three victories and a sensational .948 save percentage.

Neither team capitalized on the powerplay, with the Blades held scoreless on one chance, and killing off two penalties.

Not much time for rest for the Blue & Gold, with their next contest coming tomorrow afternoon against the Regina Pats (4:00pm MT).

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