GAME 38 PREVIEW | New-look Blades visit Rebels for third meeting of the year
WHL REGULAR SEASON | GAME 38 | Saskatoon Blades (21-12-2-2) @ Red Deer Rebels (15-18-2-2)
|
Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (21-12-2-2) hit the second contest of a four-game road trip when they visit the Peavey Mart Centrium to challenge the Red Deer Rebels (15-18-2-2).
The Blades started their road trip with a 4-2 win Saturday at the Moose Jaw Events Centre against the Warriors. It marked the Blades fourth win in six games since returning from the Christmas break, outscoring opponents 23-20. Saskatoon’s lost both meetings this season against the Rebels. It was a goaltender’s duel October 19 in Red Deer as the Rebels earned a 2-1 victory. The Blue and Gold squeaked a point out of the Rebels at home December 4 in a 5-4 shootout loss.
Every point’s crucial for the Blades who are in a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Conference at 46 points alongside the Medicine Hat Tigers and Calgary Hitmen. Seven points is all that separates the top spot in the East from the eighth and final playoff spot.
Who to Watch
17-year-old wingers Kazden Mathies and Hayden Harsanyi, along with 17-year-old defenceman Jack Kachkowski are expected to make their Blades debut tonight. Mathies, a Martensville, SK native, was acquired by the Blue and Gold yesterday via trade from the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick. The 5-foot-11 winger has five goals and seven points in 31 games this season with Seattle. Harsanyi and Kachkowski both came to Saskatoon later in the day in a blockbuster deal with the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Bethune, SK product Ben Riche dished a helper in Saturday’s win against the Warriors. The 19-year-old centre extended his point streak to eight games, scoring six goals and eight assists in that span. Riche leads the Blue and Gold in scoring with career highs in goals (23), assists (30), and points (53) in 34 games.
Alternate captain Tyler Parr was named Saturday’s first star after a two-goal performance. The La Salle, MB product scored the opening goal of the night against Moose Jaw and iced the game with an empty netter late in the third. Parr has two goals and two assists in his last three games, adding to his career-high in goals (14), assists (22), and points (36) in 35 games.
