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WHL Saskatoon Blades

Suzdalev Scores Hat-Trick In Home Debut, Blades Tune Out Giants 7-2

January 10, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Saskatoon Blades News Release


Saskatoon Blades' Rhett Melnyk and Brayden Klimpke on game night
Saskatoon Blades' Rhett Melnyk and Brayden Klimpke on game night
(Saskatoon Blades)

WINNING WEDNESDAY: Saskatoon Blades fans couldn't have asked for a better home debut from Washington Capitals prospect Alexander Suzdalev. The 19-year-old sniper scored a hat-trick and an assist in his second game of the season to lift the Blades to a 7-2 victory against the Vancouver Giants at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday.

The man known as "Suz" was acquired by the Blades in a blockbuster trade on Dec. 31st from the Regina Pats. In two games this season, Suzdalev has three goals and five points and is showing exactly why he is a great addition to an already deep Saskatoon club.

Toronto Maple Leafs' draft pick Brandon Lisowsky picked up his 100th career WHL goal in the contest in game 198 of his career. The 5-foot-10 winger's scored all of them in a Blue and Gold sweater and has earned every ounce of success he's received. Fellow Leafs' property Fraser Minter dished three helpers in his first game back since returning from the World Junior Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden where he captained Team Canada.

Rookie netminder Evan Gardner moved to double-digit wins in the season with a 20-save performance.

The Blades remain first in the Eastern Conference with a 27-8-2-2 record and are 14-1-1-0 on home ice.

NEXT GAME: The Blades finish their three-game home-stand with a weekend doubleheader at SaskTel Centre.

First is the club's Hockey Gives Blood game Saturday, Jan. 13th against the Victoria Royals at 7:00pm. Don't be late for puck drop because we'll have dozens of minor hockey goalies skate onto the ice prior to the game for Goalie Night!

Kids Takeover presented by SaskTel is the following afternoon at 4:00pm against the Regina Pats.

Check out the Saskatoon Blades Statistics




Images from this story

Saskatoon Blades' Rhett Melnyk and Brayden Klimpke on game night
Saskatoon Blades' Rhett Melnyk and Brayden Klimpke on game night
   



Western Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2024


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