Broncos battle back to beat Blades in season opener
SASKATOON, SK – A lacklustre third period left the Saskatoon Blades on the losing end of a 5-2 contest Friday night in their home opener against the Swift Current Broncos. The Blades held a 2-1 lead heading into the final frame, but a pair of quick goals combined with two late empty-netters sealed the deal.
A night of festivities celebrating the legacy of Blades Alumni, the return of the ‘Pacman’ jersey and honouring former Blade captain Bruce Gordon was soured when the Broncos’ game winning goal came as a result of the puck taking a strange carom off the Zamboni door.
The evening started as planned as the Blades’ took advantage of a large, supportive crowd, opening the scoring at 13:46 mark of the first courtesy of a booming Caleb Fantillo slap shot in the high slot. Mark Rubinchik and Lukus MacKenzie each chipped in with assists.
🚨GOOOOAAALLLL!!!🚨 Fantillo with a one-timer and we're up 1-0!!
🍏 – Rubinchik
🍎 – MacKenzie #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/Pt8zY5DX8i— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 23, 2017
The Broncos were unable to answer in the 1st but levelled the score less than a minute into the 2nd period through Glenn Gawdin, with assists going to Sahvan Khaira and Tyler Steenbergen. Not content with an even scoreboard in front of a home crowd, Brad Goethals scrapped in front of the Broncos’ net, managing to push the puck in for a goal at 11:37 in the second period. He was assisted by Gage Ramsay and Evan Fiala.
🚨GOAL!!!🚨 Brad Goethals first as a Blade and we're back in front 2-1 with 8:23 left in the 2nd!!
🍏 – Ramsay
🍎 – Dach#RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/gMucVUnbfA— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 23, 2017
The rivalry began to surface in the back half of the second period, with Swift Current Broncos’ captain Gawdin receiving a 10 minute misconduct penalty while Blades’ captain Fiala and assistant captain Libor Hájek each served time for roughing.
Yeah… we don't like each other pic.twitter.com/BSW44CQtNJ
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) September 23, 2017
The bumpy end to the 2nd period drained the life out of the Blades’ bench as the 3rd period saw the ice tilt in favour of the visitors. First Riley Stotts tied the game at 3:43 in the 3rd, assisted by Steenbergen. Next, at 12:21, Connor Chaulk took the lead for the visitors in the aforementioned ‘Zamboni door’ bounce incident which set him up nicely to score. Wrapping it up, Gawdin and Artyom Minulin scored a pair of empty net goals, at the 17:50 and 19:55 marks respectively.
Goaltender Ryan Kubic (.900SVS%) earned 3rd Star honors in his Saskatoon Blades debut, Bronco’s debutant goaltender Joel Hofer (.920SVS%) took 2nd Star honors while his teammate Glenn Gawdin (2G) was awarded the 1st Star of the night.
The Saskatoon Blades will now remain idle until next Friday night when they take on the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon. Puck drop is at 7:00pm local time.
BOXSCORE
Click here for tickets or call 306.975.8844 to book your group night or experience package!
Get the Blades APP! iTunes | Android Market
Follow us! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat (SaskBlades)