GAME 13 PREVIEW | Blades begin U.S. road trip against league’s top Silvertips
Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More
The Saskatoon Blades (9-3-0-0) begin their U.S. Division road trip against the league’s top Everett Silvertips (9-0-1-0). Friday’s 8:00pm MT puck drop comes to you from Angel of the Winds Arena in Washington State. Tonight marks the first of six games in nine nights for the Blue and Gold. All games will be played in three separate back-to-back instances.
Saskatoon enters tonight’s contest after collecting four out of a possible six points in last weekend’s three-in-three. After dropping the opening game at home against the Moose Jaw Warriors 6-2 on Friday, the Blades responded with an 8-5 thriller against the Warriors on the road the next night. In a battle between first and second place of the Eastern Conference on Sunday, the Blades earned a 4-3 win against the Edmonton Oil Kings at SaskTel Centre.
A new face joined the Bridge City Bunch on their drive to Everett in 2009-born defenceman Luke Dumas. The Blades signed the right-handed shot to a Western Hockey League (WHL) Scholarship and Development Agreement on Thursday. Dumas is expected to be with the club for the entirety of the U.S. trip.
Standings
Exercise demons?
The hosts have had the Blades’ number for more than a decade. Saskatoon’s last victory against the Silvertips came on Oct. 14, 2011 in Everett. The Blades are 0-8-3-0 in that span after losing in overtime last season at SaskTel Centre.
The good guys
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner picked up his 50th win of the season in Sunday’s win against Edmonton. The Fort St. John, BC native became the 13th goalie in franchise history to collect 50 WHL wins. 2008-born forwards Cooper Williams and Zach Olsen, along with 2007-born defenceman Brayden Klimpke were named to NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Rankings on Monday. Williams received a “B” rating, indicating a second or third-round player. Olsen and Klimpke each received a “C” rating for a fourth or fifth-round pick.
The opposition
The Silvertips are atop the WHL Standings with a 9-0-1-0 record. Everett’s won seven straight games outscoring teams 35-14 in that span. Four players are above double-digit points along with three NHL drafted talent in forwards Carter Bear (DET), Julius Miettinen, and defenceman Tarin Smith (ANA).
Milestone watch
Rowan Calvert is one point away from 100 in his WHL career
Hunter Laing is three games away from 150 in his WHL career
Watch & Listen
Fans can watch tonight’s game for FREE on Victory+ TV. Click HERE to make your free account today.
Voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk and Blades Communications Manager Tanner Chubey will have the call on 600 CJWW. Coverage begins at 7:45pm MT with the pre-game show.
