GAME 56 RECAP | Suzdalev erupts for three points, Blades beat Wheat Kings for 11th straight win
Brandon, MB – The Saskatoon Blades won what head coach Brennan Sonne deemed, “The War at Westoba” 5-2 against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Monday.
Four major penalties, a ten-minute misconduct, and 13 minor penalties were assessed, mostly all in the second period.
Washington Capitals prospect Alexander Suzdalev led the way offensively for Saskatoon with two goals and an assist. The 6-foot-3 winger’s first of the night ended a 15-game goalless drought and gives him 17 points (6G, 11A) in 19 games.
Alternate captain Charlie Wright collected his 100th career point with a secondary assist on forward Brandon Lisowsky’s powerplay goal in the first period. Wright has 15 goals and 85 assists in 244 career WHL contests. A 20-year-old veteran, Wright has five goals and 31 points in 56 games this season.
Rookie netminder Evan Gardner improved his record to 17-5-0-2 with a 23-save performance.
It’s 11 straight victories for the Blue and Gold who remain first in the WHL with a 42-9-2-3 record.
A good start was top priority for the Blades after a couple games of lacklustre play in the opening 20 minutes. Sidorov potted his team-leading 43rd goal of the season 49 seconds into the game to give Saskatoon a early 1-0 lead. Captain Trevor Wong dished his WHL leading 73rd helper on the goal, tying his career-high of 86 points set last year in a full 68 games.
Egor Sidorov wastes no time getting on the board 🔥@AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/gBJ6OhRNOh
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) February 19, 2024
Lisowsky extended the Blades’ lead to two with his 10th powerplay goal of the season just over six minutes into the first. The Port Coqruitlam, BC product has 33 goals and 66 points in 56 games this season and extended his point streak to six games (4G, 4A).
Lisowsky with the wicked one-timer on the power play 🚨@MapleLeafs | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/BFrMu6Idtd
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) February 19, 2024
Rookie forward Brady Turko scored his first WHL goal about six minutes later to bring the Wheat Kings within one. Despite allowing the final goal of the period, the Blades dominated play in the first 20 minutes.
Fellow rookie Jaxon Jacobson potted his fourth goal of the season just under halfway through the second.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten scored the Blades’ second powerplay goal of the game near the halfway mark of the game to make it 3-2. The Vancouver, BC product has 19 goals and 40 points in 31 games.
Fraser Minten with a perfectly placed shot 🎯@MapleLeafs | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Fr1FGPqP5f
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) February 19, 2024
Suzdalev potted an insurance marker 10:43 into the third for his fifth goal of the season. The 19-year-old sniper added another goal into a Brandon empty net to complete the 5-2 victory.
SUZDALEV ONLY SCORES BIG GOALS@Capitals | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Y1QhVtUICM
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) February 19, 2024
What’s Next?
The Blades and Wheat Kings meet for a rematch Friday at SaskTel Centre, kicking off a three-game homestand for the Blue and Gold.
Puck drop is 7:00pm.
