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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Nash, Hurricanes Sneak Past Blades 4-3

October 30, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


SASKATOON, SK - Jayden Wiens first two goals of the campaign wasn't enough as the Saskatoon Blades were handed just their second regulation loss of the season, falling 4-3 to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Speedy forward Kyle Crnkovic also scored for the Blades, who slip to 7-2-1-0 on the season, while defenceman Charlie Wright collected two assists.

Crnkovic's goal - his 50th of his impressive career - extended his point streak to 10 games.

Nolan Maier took the loss, stopping 30 shots, while Bryan Thomson earned the victory for the 'Canes with 24 saves.

Ty Nash scored twice for the Hurricanes, who improve to 5-3-0-0 on the season. Justin Hall added a goal and an assist, and captain Jett Jones rounded out Lethbridge's scoring.

Saskatoon will look to rebound on Saturday in Medicine Hat, facing the Tigers for the second time this season.

It took Jayden Wiens just 93 seconds to open the scoring with his first of the year, and another six minutes afterwards to collect his second.

The Carrot River, SK product beat Thomson low through the five-hole after a long shot from Charlie Wright hit a cluster of bodies in front. That was quickly followed by a nifty set-up from Egor Sidorov, who fought off a 'Canes defender before one-arming a pass to Wiens in the slot.

Wiens sniped a low shot past the Lethbridge netminder, scoring for the second time in a game for the first time in his WHL career.

Jett Jones cut the lead in half at the 14:41 mark of the first. The Hurricanes captain scooped up a rebound in the low slot, turned, and flung his second of the season past the right pad of Maier.

But Kyle Crnkovic had the answer with his 50th career goal just over two minutes later. Sophomore forward Brandon Lisowsky kicked the puck up to his stick, and sent a cross-ice pass to Crnkovic in the slot for a one-timer.

Saskatoon led 3-1 after 20, and held a narrow shot advantage 11-10.

Lethbridge capitalized on two quick opportunities in the second period, leading to Ty Nash's first two of the season and a tie game. The Scottsdale, AZ product finished off a pretty pass in front to draw the 'Canes within one.

50 seconds later, Alex Thacker sent Nash a perfect pass to the slot and he made no mistake on his second of the season.

With just under a minute to go, Hayden Smith caught a burst of speed and split the Hurricanes defense. The 2020 draft pick sent a tight shot high, which bounced back dangerously in front of Thomson near the goal line. Tyler Parr poked at the rebound which may have crossed the line, but after a brief review, it was deemed no goal.

Both teams went into the second intermission locked 3-3.

Lethbridge took their first lead of the game 1:11 into the third. Chase Pauls sent Justin Hall in on the right side, who went under the left arm of Nolan Maier to make it 4-3.

Saskatoon pressed in the final five minutes, and pulled Maier with a little over a minute to go, but Thomson shut the door on several chances down the stretch to earn his fourth victory of the season.

A quick turnaround for the Blades as they head next door to Medicine Hat for a Saturday night showdown against the Tigers. Game time from Co-Op Place is 7:00pm, and can be heard on 600 CJWW Radio, with Les Lazaruk's pregame show beginning at 6:30pm.

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