GAME 14 PREVIEW | Blades begin B.C. road trip against Giants
WHL REGULAR SEASON | GAME 14 | Saskatoon Blades (10-2-1-0) @ Vancouver Giants (7-4-2-0)
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Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (10-2-1-0) begin their five-game B.C. road trip at the Langley Events Centre against the Vancouver Giants (7-4-2-0).
Thanks to back-to-back wins last week, Saskatoon enters tonight atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 10-2-1-0 record. The Blue and Gold’s latest victory came Saturday at Westoba Place in Brandon, MB, defeating the Wheat Kings 4-3 in overtime. Saskatoon’s won three consecutive meetings against the Giants, outscoring the hosts 11-4 in that span. Washington Capitals prospects and former Blades forward Alexander Suzdalev led the way in last year’s tilt against Vancouver at SaskTel Centre, scoring a hat-trick in a 7-2 Blades victory.
Who to Watch
19-year-old forward Ben Riche enters tonight on a six-game point streak (5G, 6A). The 5-foot-9 speedster recorded two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in Saturday’s win against the Wheat Kings. It’s familiar territory for Riche, who played in the B.C. division with the Victoria Royals last season. The Bethune, SK product was acquired by the Blades in May in exchange for overage forward Vaughn Watterodt. Riche is top ten in WHL scoring with nine goals, 12 assists, and 21 points in 13 games this season.
WHL seniors Brandon Lisowsky and Grayden Siepmann are set for their final go-around of their home province. Lisowsky, a Port Coquitlam, BC native, is on a six-game point streak with four goals and six assists. The 20-year-old sniper finished with a goal and two assists in Saturday’s victory against Brandon, giving him ten points on the year. Siepmann dished three helpers in Brandon, giving him two goals and seven assists in 13 games this year. The Langley, BC native is four points shy of 100 in his 217-game WHL career.
