Blades Strike Out In Brandon
Brandon, MB – The Saskatoon Blades put forth a better effort against the Brandon Wheat Kings Saturday night, but a few costly mistakes resulted in a 6-3 loss. Saskatoon is now 9-14-1 with 19 points on the season and still clinging to the 2nd wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, just one point up on the Calgary Hitmen.
Brandon jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first period, with all three goals coming at even strength. A tough start yet again for the Blades, who have only managed one win this season when surrendering the first goal of the game. However, the visiting Blades didn’t deflate and managed to get on the scoreboard before the first intermission. Former Wheat King, Braylon Shmyr, buried his 7th of the season leaving Saskatoon trailing by just two goals after twenty minutes and outshooting the Wheaties 13-11.
In the second period, the Blades power play went to work as Bryton Sayers stepped into a slap shot from the right side point beating Jordan Papirny high blocker side to cut the deficit to one. Sayers’ 3rd of the season gave the Blades some momentum. Jordan Henderson was hit below the goal line in the Blades zone minutes later, and took exception. The newest d-man for the Blades went toe-to-toe with Brandon’s Rylan Bettens in a spirited bout, with the decision unanimously going to the veteran Henderson. The momentum quickly shifted back in favour of Brandon when Ty Lewis netted his 14th of the year to make it 4-2. Yet again the Blades would respond. With under two minutes to go in the second, Lukus MacKenzie drove hard to the net taking a pass from Wyatt Sloboshan to bury his first of the season.
The game felt within in reach for Saskatoon as they trailed by only one goal after 40 minutes of play. Instead the Wheat Kings put the game out of reach in the third period adding two more goals for the eventual 6-3 final. Saskatoon will have to find some answers quickly as they prepare for their 4th straight game against a divisional opponent, trying to avoid a 4th straight loss. The Blades will visit the Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday night, before setting up a two game home stand next weekend against Brandon and Medicine Hat on Friday and Saturday.
