GAME 17 RECAP | Gardner stands tall, but Blades fall short against Rockets
Kelowna, BC – Goalie Evan Gardner was the best player on the ice for the Saskatoon Blades in Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place.
The Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick nearly stole two points for the Blue and Gold, making 33 saves as the Blades got outshot 35-15. The Fort St. John, BC product’s performance earned him second star on the evening. Gardner’s record fell to 7-4-1-0 in his sophomore season, carrying a .909 save percentage (SV%) and 2.82 goals against average (GAA).
The Bridge City Bunch remain first in the Eastern Conference with a 11-4-1-1 record and sit 1-2-0-1 on their five-game BC road trip.
Langley, BC’s own Grayden Siepmann scored the opening goal of the game 7:54 into the first period to put the Blades up 1-0. The 20-year-old blueliner demanded the puck at the point and ripped a shot past Rockets netminder Jari Kykkanen. Siepmann’s third of the season marked the sixth consecutive game Saskatoon’s opened the scoring. The last time the Blades failed to draw first blood was October 19 on the road against the Red Deer Rebels.
The Blades went to the man-advantage just over halfway through the first, but it was the Rockets who found the back of the net. Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall buried his seventh goal of the year, moving his team-leading point total to 27 (7G, 20A). Saskatoon had difficulty finding their legs through the first 20 minutes, outshot 12-4 by period’s end.
Gardner was a major reason the Blades didn’t surrender a goal in the second period. The 6-foot-2 backstop turned aside 12 shots from all over the ice. Saskatoon showed desperate defence on their third penalty kill of the game, not allowing a goal while the puck stayed in their end for the full two minutes. After 20 minutes to recharge in the dressing room, it was still the Rockets who dominated the game in the third period.
Utah Hockey Club prospect Tij Iginla finally penetrated the brick wall Gardner with 4:08 remaining in the game. The son of NHL legend Jarome Iginla potted his tenth of the year, while Cristall collected his second point of the night with an assist. Saskatoon didn’t muster much push back, outshot 11-1 in the third period.
What’s Next?
The Blades conclude their BC road trip tomorrow night at Sandman Centre against the Kamloops Blazers.
Puck drop is 6:00pm CT.
