Blades beat buzzer twice in comeback victory over Raiders
Warman, SK – The ping off forward Ben Riche’s overtime goal Saturday is still being heard across Warman, SK as the Saskatoon Blades finished their preseason with a 4-3 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders.
Riche’s game-winner was his fourth point of the night, setting up teammates on the prior three goals. The Bethune, SK product was acquired by the Blades in May from the Victoria Royals in exchange for forward Vaughn Watterodt, a pending overage player. A 2005-born centre, Riche finished the preseason with two goals and nine points in four games.
Like they’ve shown all preseason, the Blades are not a team that will go away when the going gets tough. Saskatoon tied the game twice with goals coming in the final minutes of the period. The first came with 0.2 seconds remaining in the second from 20-year-old blueliner Ben Saunderson to make it 2-2. Trailing 3-2 with 18 seconds remaining, second-year forward Hudson Kibblewhite tied the game to bring a sold out Warman Home Centre Communiplex to their feet.
Credit to the Blades’ penalty kill, who shut down all five Raider powerplay opportunities. Saskatoon made the most of their opportunities going 2/5 on the man-advantage with a goal from defenceman Brayden Klimpke in the second and Riche’s overtime winner.
The Bridge City Bunch end the regular season on a high note and finish 1-3-0-1 overall. It’s serious business Friday as the club embarks to Swift Current to open their season against the Broncos.
Blades forward Zach Olsen went to the box for two minutes early in the opening frame, but it was Blades penalty killers Rowan Calvert and Tyler Parr who had the best chances shorthanded. Prince Albert didn’t get discouraged after no powerplay goal as forward Ty Meunier put them up 1-0 with under seven minutes left in the first. Fellow Raider Jonah Sivertson needed 15 seconds to pad the Raiders lead to 2-0. The 2008-born forward leads the Raiders in goals this preseason with five, scoring in back-to-back games against the Blades.
Discipline got away from the Blades early, taking four penalties in a row within the first 22 minutes. A tripping call on Prince Albert defenceman Doogan Pederson 6:33 into the second gave the Blades time to show what they could do with the man-advantage.
2007-born defenceman Klimpke scored his first goal of the preseason to bring the Blades within one. The Calgary, AB product spent several games up with the big club last season due to injuries on the Blades backend and looks poised for a solid rookie season with one goal and five points in four preseason games.
A Blades second period buzzer beater with 0.3 seconds on the clock yesterday wasn’t closer enough as Saunderson tied the game with 0.2 seconds left in the middle frame. The 20-year-old veteran has one goal and two assists in three preseason games.
It looked as if the Raiders would go 3-0 against the Blades in exhibition play as forward Luke Moroz scored with just over two minutes left to make it 3-2. Kibblewhite gave the visitors a taste of their own medicine by tying the game 3-3 with 18 seconds remaining. Overtime was need for a second straight night between the Highway 11 rivals.
A hero yesterday for Prince Albert, rookie Daxon Rudolph went to the sin bin interference. With a 4-on-3 man-advantage, Saunderson fed a pass right in Riche’s wheelhouse who went bardown to end the game.
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What’s Next?
The real fun begins as the Blades and Broncos kick off the regular season with a weekend home-and-home series. The Blades invade Innovation IPlex Friday, Sept. 20, and welcome the Broncos to SaskTel Centre for their Merlin Ford Lincoln the following night. Puck drop for both games is 7:00pm.
The Saskatoon Blades home opener is on Saturday, Sept. 21st at 7:00pm vs the Swift Current Broncos. Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE
