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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Nhl Returnees Come Up Big In Blades' 3-2 Overtime Win Vs Tigers

September 30, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon Blades celebrate win
Saskatoon Blades celebrate win
(Saskatoon Blades)

Medicine Hat, AB - Defenceman Tanner Molendyk scored a goal and an assist lifting the Blades to a 3-2 win in overtime Saturday vs the Medicine Hat Tigers at Co-op Place.

Drafted by the Nashville Predators 24th overall at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Molendyk's game-tying goal with under five minutes left in the game set the stage for the Blades to complete the comeback. Sophomore netminder Austin Elliott stopped 29-of-31 shots in his first start of the season. The overtime hero was none other than forward Egor Sidorov who potted his first goal of the year on an impressive drive to the crease.

It was all three men's first game since returning from their respective NHL training camps.

The Blades now boast ten straight wins against the Tigers and handed them their first loss of the season. Saskatoon sits 2-1-0-0 in the young season, tied for the least amount of games played in the Eastern Conference.

Forward Egor Sidorov rejoined his postion on a line of Trevor Wong and Brandon Lisowsky after spending the first chunk of the season at Anaheim Ducks camp. The line put up several good chances early on the powerplay in the first period but couldn't sneak one past netminder Evan May. The Tigers had chances of their own, but goalie Austin Elliott looked dialled early in his first start of the season after being away at Predators training camp.

Medicine Hat forward Tomas Mrsic broke the deadlock with a shorthanded breakaway goal 4:10 into the middle frame. Highly-touted rookie Gavin McKenna notched his sixth assist of the season on the tally, giving him a team-leading seven points.

Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky tied the game 1-1 just over ten minutes later with his first goal of the season. Lisowsky carried the puck in on a two-on-one alongside Wong and it ultimately ended up back on his stick after some broken passing and into the net. The 5-foot-9 is looking to build of a career-high 38 goals and 70 points in 65 games last year with Saskatoon, and is expected to be one of the top producers offensively in the WHL this season. Wong's assist comes in his 200th career WHL game and his 121st with the Blades, the rest coming prior with the Kelowna Rockets.

The tie was short-lived as Tigers forward Shane Smith scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season just 15 seconds later. Saskatoon was awarded a powerplay with about 20 seconds left in the period, setting them up for a man-advantage coming out from the dressing room down 2-1.

With time ticking down in the third, Molendyk came through clutch to tie the game. The McBride, BC product streaked into the zone late and Wong set him up with a perfect pass from behind the net. It's Molendyk's first goal in his first game back, and looks to be the top blueliuner on the back end offensively for the Blades this year.

Overtime was needed, and this time it was Sidorov who answered the bell. The 6-foot sniper took a pass from Molendyk before dropping his shoulder and driving to the net to finish off a gorgeous overtime goal. Sidorov led the Blades with 40 goals last year in only 53 games, and more big things are yet to come for the Belarusian star. Captain Wong earned the secondary assist finishing his night with three total.

What's Next?

The Blades head up the road for a matinee matchup Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome vs the Calgary Hitmen.

Puck drop is 2:00pm CT.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics




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Saskatoon Blades celebrate win
Saskatoon Blades celebrate win
   



Western Hockey League Stories from September 30, 2023


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