GAME 22 PREVIEW | Blades, Warriors write next chapter in rivalry in Moose Jaw
WHL REGULAR SEASON | GAME 22 | Saskatoon Blades (14-5-1-1) @ Moose Jaw Warrioes (4-13-3-1)
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Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (14-5-1-1) look for their fourth straight win when they invade the Moose Jaw Events Centre to take on the Moose Jaw Warriors (4-13-3-1). Saskatoon went 3-0 on last week’s home-stand with wins against the Edmonton Oil Kings, Tri-City Americans, and most recently the Medicine Hat Tigers on Tuesday. Offensive contributions came from up and down the lineup for the Blades as they handed the Tigers a 5-3 loss at SaskTel Centre. The Blades went 2/3 on the man-advantage while surrendering two powerplay goals on the Tigers two attempts.
Tonight’s the second meeting of the year between last season’s Eastern Conference Final combatants. The Bridge City Bunch shutout the Warriors 2-0 on October 12 at SaskTel Centre. Saskatoon holds a four-point lead of first place in the Eastern Conference over the second-place Tigers.
Who to Watch
20-year-old defenceman Grayden Siepmann picked up his 100th career WHL point with an assist Tuesday against Medicine Hat. The Langley, BC product has 21 goals and 79 assists in 225 games.
20-year-old sniper Brandon Lisowsky is tied for ninth on the Blades’ all-time goal-scoring list with 131 tucks alongside Brent Ashton. The former Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick netted the game-winner Tuesday against the Tigers to hit double-digit goals on the season. Lisowsky owns 131 goals, 114 assists, and 245 points in 242 career WHL games, all with Saskatoon. In 15 games this season, Lisowsky has ten goals and assists.
Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick Evan Gardner improved to 10-4-1-0 on the season after Tuesday’s win against the Tigers. The Fort St. John, BC product turned aside 31 of 34 shots to pick up his third straight win. Gardner’s 2.56 goals against average (GAA) and .918 save percentage (SV%) are both second amongst WHL goaltenders. The 6-foot-1 netminder’s lone shutout of the year came on October 12 against the Warriors.
