Preview: Hurricanes at Blades - December 13th
December 16, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release
OFF THE TOP: The Blades ended two losing streaks on Sunday. First, ending their five game losing streak, second, ending their 15 game losing streak to Regina in a 2-1 SO win. Cameron Hebig scored the tying goal in the 3rd, his 14 of the season. Connor Gay scored the lone goal in the shootout to gives the Blades the victory. Brock Hamm made 31 saves in the win.
HURRICANES vs. BLADES: This is the second meeting of the season between the Hurricanes and Blades. The two teams last played each other on November 21st with Lethbridge picking up the 5-2 win. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-0 1st period lead on goals by Babenko, Folk, and Davis. The Blades managed to bring the game within one by the end of the frame with two goals by Terrell Draude, but the Hurricanes would add one in the 2nd, and one in the 3rd to seal the win. Former Blades, Cory Millete had 4 points (1G-3A) for a 1st star performance.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS: The Blades continued to shake up their roster this week. Earlier, they sent RW - Josh Uhrich to the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a 5th round pick in 2016. On Thursday, the Blades made a pair of trades involving goaltenders, Jake Morrissey was traded to the Vancouver Giants for a 7th round pick in 2016. This move was made to make room for their newest acquisition, 6'6", Nashville Predators prospect, Evan Smith. Smith, a 7th round NHL pick in 2015, was acquired, along with a 5th and 9th round pick in 2016, for a 3rd round pick in 2018.
PENALTY "TROUBLE": After killing off all eight of Regina's power play opportunities on Saturday night, the Blades are now tied for 1st in the league in penalty killing at 84.5%. The PK has been a bright spot for the team, with it being a momentum building aspect of the game.
CRACKING THE LIST: The NHL's Central Scouting service released their updated "Players to Watch" List, Blades import defenceman Libor Hajek made the list with a 'B' rating. This ranking projects HAJEK as a 2nd/3rd round draft candidate. The 2016 NHL draft eligible has 14 points (3g-11a) in 28 games this season for the Blades.
APPROACHING A MILESTONE: Blades captain Nick ZAJAC will play in his 281st career game in the WHL tonight, all with the Blades. He currently sits 12th on the Blades all-time GP list. If Zajac reaches the 300 game plateau (which he is on pace to hit in late January) he will be one of eight Blades to reach the milestone. Zajac has 42 goals, and 77 assists in his WHL and Blades career.
UP NEXT: The Blades travel to Regina on Friday before taking on the Kelowna Rockets at home on Saturday night for their Teddy & Toque Toss game.
MILESTONES/STREAKS:
Cameron Hebig has 13 points (5G-8A) in his past 13 games.
Cameron Hebig is on a 4 game point streak (3G-1A).
Cameron Hebig has scored in 3 straight games.
Cameron Hebig is 2 points away from 100 career.
Nick Zajac is on a 3 game point streak (4A).
Connor Gay is on a 4 game point streak (1G-3A).
Ryan Graham is 4 games away from 200 career in the WHL.
Connor Gay is 5 games away from 200 career in the WHL.
AGE BREAKDOWN:
1995 (3): Nick Zajac, Mitch Wheaton, Connor Gay
1996 (2): Ryan Graham, Bryton Sayers
1997 (7): Brock Hamm, Mason McCarty, Cam Hebig, Nikita Soshnin, Terrell Draude, Wyatt Sloboshan, Evan Smith
1998 (5): Nolan Reid, Luke Gingras, Libor Hajek, Anthony Bishop, Schael Higson
1999 (5): Cameron Hausinger, Josh Paterson, Lukus MacKenzie, Logan Christensen, Jake Kustra
GEOGRAPHICAL BREAKDOWN:
SK (8): Brock Hamm, Terrell Draude, Connor Gay, Cam Hebig, Nolan Reid, Bryton Sayers, Wyatt Sloboshan, Jake Kustra
AB (6): Ryan Graham, Lukus MacKenzie, Mason McCarty, Josh Paterson, Mitch Wheaton, Schael Higson
MB (2): Nick Zajac, Logan Christensen
BC (2): Anthony Bishop, Luke Gingras
AK (1): Cameron Hausinger
CO (1): Evan Smith
RUS (1): Nikita Soshnin
CZE (1) : Libor Hajek
LEADING SCORERS:
Cameron Hebig: 30GP-14G-18A-32PTS
Connor Gay: 28GP-9G-16A-25PTS
Nick Zajac: 30GP-7G-14A-21PTS
Ryan Graham: 30GP-9G-8A-17PTS
Wyatt Sloboshan: 28GP-7G-10A-17PTS
Libor Hajek: 30GP-3G-11A-14PTS
DRAFTED PLAYERS: Mitch Wheaton (DET - 5th, 2013)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PP: 17/126 - 13.5% (21st)PK: 120/142 - 84.5% (T-1st)
Western Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2015
- Whistle Perfect as Rockets Edge Moose Jaw 1-0 - Kelowna Rockets
- Pats Sign Riley Bruce - Regina Pats
- Preview: Hurricanes at Blades - December 13th - Saskatoon Blades
- Wheat Kings Host Blazers Tonight - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Blazers in Brandon for Game Tonight - Kamloops Blazers
- Mark Rassell Clutch in a 2-1 Victory Tuesday - Medicine Hat Tigers
- B.C. Hockey Fans Score Big on Ticket Deals with BCAA and Western Hockey League Partnership - WHL
- Blazers Hold on for 4-3 Win over Pats - Kamloops Blazers
- Tri-City Fends off Portland 6-4 - Tri-City Americans
- Cougars Chase Down T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Oil Kings Drop Third Straight to Medicine Hat - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Rebels Win 4-2 in Cranbrook - Red Deer Rebels
- Winterhawks Fall 6-4 in Tri-Cities Tuesday - Portland Winterhawks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
