
Wild Knock off East's Top Team Tuesday with 4-2 Win Over Saskatoon
November 22, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release
WENATCHEE, Wash. - The newest team in the Western Hockey League may well be its toughest to play against in its home building as well.
The Wenatchee Wild won their ninth consecutive home game on Tuesday, earning a 4-2 defeat of the Saskatoon Blades to knock off the top team in the WHL's Eastern Conference. The Wild also held one of the league's most dangerous power play units scoreless on three chances, and stayed even through the first 20 minutes against the league's most effective first-period team.
The first lead of the night lasted just 18 seconds - at 14:45, Charlie Wright threw a shot down the slot past Brendan Gee to get Saskatoon in front, but Matthew Savoie caught a rink-wide pass from Kenta Isogai and tossed a wrister past Austin Elliott to tie the game with 4:57 left in the period. The Blades took the lead back on the penalty kill at 2:27 of the second period, when Misha Volotovskii finished a 2-on-1 chance off a Wenatchee turnover at the blue line.
The third period belonged entirely to the Wild - with just 1:33 off the clock, Jonas Woo roped a shot to the top corner of the net in transition to even the game at 2-2 before Evan Friesen tucked a shot into the top of the net from along the goal line for the lead at the 5:20 mark. Conor Geekie jogged the puck into the empty net for the final two-goal margin with 1:21 remaining.
"I thought we got a lot better as the game went on," said Wenatchee assistant coach Andrew Sarauer. "Our start seemed to be a little slow - that seems to be a theme around our team, but they stuck with it and found a way to beat a really good hockey team. Saskatoon played with a lot of pace tonight and were moving pucks. Their defense was jumping up all night, and we got out-chanced pretty significantly early, but give our guys credit. It was a big win."
Gee made 30 saves to earn his third consecutive victory, while Savoie earned a goal and an assist, just two nights after collecting his 200th career point in WHL play. Ashton Cumby and Briley Wood had two assists each, while Woo notched his second goal since his 17th birthday on Sunday. Elliott finished with 32 saves for the Blades, dropping to 11-4 for the year, but the Saskatoon penalty kill came through on all four of its chances.
Wenatchee finishes its three-game homestand Friday against the Spokane Chiefs, presented by Les Schwab, with the opening puck drop at Town Toyota Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tickets for that game and all home regular-season contests are on sale now at 509-888-7825, or by visiting the team office at Town Toyota Center. Updated news and information on Wild hockey are always available through the team's website and on the team's social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Western Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2023
- Oil Kings' Comeback Falls Short Against Brandon - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Four-Goal First Pushes Wheat Kings Past Edmonton - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Shootout Heroics Help Hawks Hold off Royals 4-3 - Portland Winterhawks
- 350 WHL Graduate Players Awarded WHL Scholarships - Kelowna Rockets
- Firkus Attracting National Attention with Strong Start - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Winterhawks Call up G Justen Maric - Portland Winterhawks
- WHL Scholarship Program Invests in Academic Pursuits of 350 Graduate Players for 2023-24 - WHL
- Tyler Palmer Pledges Faith Food Bank Donation for Holiday Season Saves - Everett Silvertips
- Royals Sign Ryan Tamelin to WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement - Victoria Royals
- Game Day Hub: November 22 vs. Victoria - Portland Winterhawks
- Preview: Oil Kings vs. Brandon Wheat Kings - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Chiefs Host Giants in Thanksgiving Eve Matchup - Spokane Chiefs
- Rockets End Losing Streak - Kelowna Rockets
- Game Day Preview: Game 23 vs Regina - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Blades Can't Hold off Wild Comeback - Saskatoon Blades
- Wild Knock off East's Top Team Tuesday with 4-2 Win Over Saskatoon - Wenatchee Wild
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.
Other Recent Wenatchee Wild Stories
- Wenatchee Wild Hire Ethan Goldberg as Assistant Coach, Complete 2025-26 Coaching Staff
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Hiring of Eric Williams as Goaltender Coach
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Signing of German Defenseman Rolsing to Scholarship & Development Agreement
- Wenatchee Wild Defenseman Tait Named to Hockey Canada U17 Summer Development Camp
- Wenatchee Wild Announce Signing of Import Draft Selection Capos to Scholarship & Development Agreement

