GAME 10 PREVIEW | Three-in-three weekend starts at SaskTel Centre for Blades
Merchandise, promos, key players, notable stats, tickets, and more
Saskatoon Blades hockey, SaskTel Centre, Friday night. There is no better combo in the city.
It’s Friday Night Hockey presented by SaskTel as the East Division’s top Blades (7-2-0-0) welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors (4-4-1-0) for a 7:00pm puck drop. Tonight marks the first game of three in as many nights for the Bridge City Bunch this weekend. It’s also the first of six meetings between the Blades and Warriors this season, and the opening game of a weekend home-and-home series between the two. The Blades have a chance to extend their win streak to six games before a rematch against the Warriors tomorrow in Moose Jaw inside Temple Gardens Centre at 6:00pm. Saskatoon finish their three-in-three weekend on Sunday at home against the Edmonton Oil Kings at 4:00pm.
Pop by the Frozen Pond during the game and get our featured composite mini stick. Dangle, snipe, and celly like all your favourite Blades during those intense basement mini stick battles.
Last time out
The Blades’ latest victory on their five-game win streak came Saturday at home in 3-0 fashion against the Kamloops Blazers. It was the first shutout of the season for Saskatoon as third-year netminder Evan Gardner stopped all 32 Blazers shots. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect earned the eighth shutout of his career, moving him into sole possession of third place past former Blades goalie Braden Holtby on the all-time franchise shutout list. Gardner improved to 5-1-0-0 on the season with a .942 save percentage (SV%) and 1.56 goals against average (GAA).
Saskatoon got into penalty trouble but killed all five penalties. All three goals came in the first period for the Blades, who were outshot 32-27 by game’s end. Steady defensive play and Gardner’s goaltending helped the Blue and Gold improve to 6-0-0-0 when leading after 40 minutes.
Standings
New kid on the block
Tuesday marked the first time since 2014 a trade was struck between the Blades and Prince Albert Raiders. Saskatoon acquired hometown defenceman Tyrone Sobry in exchange for a conditional 2029 six-round pick. The 6-foot-2 blueliner played all 87 career Western Hockey League (WHL) games with the Raiders, including four this season where he registered one assist. Sobry is expected to make his Blades debut tonight.
The opposition
After a 3-0 start to their season, Moose Jaw’s dropped five of their last six games. The visitor’s latest loss came in difficult fashion Wednesday at home in a 7-5 loss to the Blazers. Moose Jaw held a 5-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play and allowed five unanswered goals in the third. Warriors Head Coach Mark O’Leary moved into sole possession of second place in Warriors franchise history for most games coached at 357. The 2024 WHL Champion needs just four more games to surpass the all-time leader in Al Tuer.
Milestone watch
Rowan Calvert is two points away from 100 in his WHL career
Tonight marks the 100th WHL game of defenceman Jack Kachkowsk’s career
Tristen Doyle is three games away from 200 in his WHL career
Evan Gardner needs one more win for 50 in his WHL career
Watch and listen
Fans can watch tonight’s game for FREE on Victory+ TV. Coverage begins 15 minutes before puck drop hosted by Tanner Chubey. Click HERE to make your free account today.
Voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk will have the call on 600 CJWW. Coverage begins at 6:45pm with the pre-game show hosted by Lazaruk and colour commentator Jackson Imrie.
Post-game
