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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Patrician Nets Pair; Blades Regain Division Lead

March 22, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


REGINA, SK - It was a night worth celebrating for the Saskatoon Blades.

Rookie defencemen Tanner Molendyk and Pasha Bocharov collected their first career points, and Evan Patrician scored twice to lead the Blades to a 3-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors on Sunday night at the Brandt Centre.

The win pushes Saskatoon ahead of the Warriors for top spot in the East Division, now boasting a 4-0-1-0 record - the only team in the Hub Centre undefeated in regulation. It also comes on a special day for two members of the Blades family, with room attendant Bobby Kirkness and team photographer Steve Hiscock celebrating their 60th birthdays.

Patrician, who was acquired by the Blades at the trade deadline in January 2020 from Vancouver, was named the game's first star for his performance. Second star of the night Nolan Maier collected his 83rd career victory, and now sits two back of the franchise record held by Tim Cheveldae.

Tristen Robins also scored for Saskatoon, and sits tied with Patrician for the team lead with three goals on the campaign. This was the first career multi-goal game for Patrician, who scored the game-winner and insurance markers.

A scoreless opening period saw Saskatoon create plenty of scoring chances, outshooting the Warriors 10-5. It would take nearly 37 minutes for the Blades to finally solve Warriors rookie 'tender Brett Mirwald, and it would come on the penalty kill.

Robins forced a giveaway near his own blueline, creating a shorthanded breakaway. The San Jose Sharks prospect made a beautiful move to the backhand and lifted the puck under the left arm of Mirwald - Saskatoon's first shorthanded goal of the season. It was also Robins' first shorthanded tally of his career.

Less than two minutes later, Molendyk, playing in his third career game, fed Bocharov along the blueline, who took a shot from the high slot. The puck slipped it's way through a barrage of defenders before Patrician tipped home the Blades second tally of the affair.

Jagger Firkus cut the Blades lead in half at the 3:46 mark of the third period, but Patrician restored the two-goal lead with 10 minutes to go. Colton Dach, eligible for this year's NHL entry draft, set up Patrician for a hard one-timer from the slot which found its way past the glove-hand of Mirwald.

For a second straight game, the Blades were perfect on the penalty kill going 7-for-7.

A quick turnover for the Blue & Gold as they prepare for the lone East Division opponent they have yet to see, the Brandon Wheat Kings, on Monday at 8:00 p.m.

MISMATCHED ON PURPOSE

Saskatoon joined the three other East Division teams in action today in celebrating and recognizing World Down Syndrome Day. All four teams who hit the Brandt Centre ice donned mismatched socks to help raise awareness for those with Down syndrome.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2021


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