ROUND 1 GAME 1 RECAP | Siepmann, Laing score in Game 1 loss to Hitmen
Calgary, AB – The Saskatoon Blades dropped Game 1 of their best-of-seven Round 1 series against the Calgary Hitmen on Friday 4-2 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
A goal from Blades forward Hunter Laing brought Saskatoon within a pair with less than ten minutes remaining in regulation. The Calgary Flames draft pick scored his second career playoff goal in 11 games and 16th as a member of the Blades this season. Former Hitmen defender Grayden Siepmann was the other goal scorer for Saskatoon. The 20-year-old blueliner tied the game 1-1 just over five minutes into the second period with his second career playoff goal.
It was a busy night for Blades goalie Evan Gardner who stopped 40 of 44 shots in the loss. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect’s playoff record is now 10-5.
The Blades trail 1-0 in the series with Game 2 set for 2:00pm Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The Blades had the lone powerplay in the first period, but it was the Hitmen who opened the scoring shorthanded. Forward Ethan Moore was wide open in front of Gardner after a hard forecheck from linemate Tanner Howe to make it 1-0 Calgary. Trailing 18-5 in shots after 20 minutes, the Blades only found themselves down a goal.
Siepmann netted the Blades first goal of the postseason 5:16 into the second to make it 1-1. The Langley, BC native has two career WHL playoff goal after a tally in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final last year with the Blue and Gold. Fellow blueliner Morgan Tastad and Calgary, AB native Willy James recorded the assists on the goal.
Grayden Siepmann from the blueline ties the game up 1-1 pic.twitter.com/Vmt89lJmmn
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 29, 2025
Calgary’s 100-point man Oliver Tulk regained the Hitmen lead with 3:18 left in the middle frame. The 19-year-old forward led the Hitmen in scoring during the regular season with 38 goals and 62 assists for 100 points. In six career playoff games, Tulk has two goals and two assists. The Blades needed a big shift after 40 minutes of play.
Moore made qucik work of the Hitmen’s second powerplay of the game scoring his second goal of the night four seconds into the man-advantage. The Okotoks, AB native scored with 7:58 off the clock in the third. The goal stood as the game winner.
Forward Ben Kindel made it 4-1 Hitmen with less than half a period to play. The Blades need a quick response for any sort of chance, and they got it from Laing.
The 6-foot-6 winger ripped a shot past Calgary netminder Anders Miller 25 seconds later to bring the Blades within two. Calgary, AB native Cooper Williams recorded his first career WHL playoff point with the assist after finishing second in rookie scoring during the regular season with 57 points. The Blades couldn’t find a pair in the remaining time, falling 4-2 to the Hitmen.
What’s Next?
The Blades hope to bounce back Sunday, March 30 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Game 2 against the Hitmen.
Puck drop is 2:00pm.
