GAME 27 RECAP | Blades’ comeback bid falls short in overtime loss to Hitmen
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades extended their point streak to five games after Saturday’s 5-4 overtime loss at SaskTel Centre against the Calgary Hitmen.
The Bridge City Bunch found themselves down a pair of goals heading into the final 20 minutes of play and scored back-to-back powerplay goals to force overtime for a third straight game. Saskatoon finished the night 3/5 on the man-advantage and killed 2/3 penalties.
Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk reminded everyone why he was invited to Team Canada’s World Junior Hockey Championship selection camp next week. The 19-year-old blueliner recorded a goal and three assists in the loss, earning him second star of the game. Saturday marked Molendyk’s final game before heading to Ottawa for the selection camp, putting him at 21 points (4G, 17A) in as many games.
20-year-old Blades sniper Brandon Lisowsky extended his point streak to five games with two goals and an assist. The left-handed shot scored the game-tying goal in the third period, giving him five goals and four assists on his current stretch. Lisowsky’s first goal of the night moved him to seventh all-time on the Blades’ goal scoring list with his 135th career WHL goal. The Port Coquitlam, BC native sits at 136 in his career, two shy of sixth-place Josh Nicholls.
The Blades remain 11-0-2-1 on home ice, suffering their last regulation loss at SaskTel Centre on March 1, 2024 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Saskatoon’s 38 points give them a five-point lead on first place in the Eastern Conference over the second-place Medicine Hat Tigers.
Hitmen defenceman Carter Yakemchuk was charged with a slashing penalty 47 seconds into the game to send Saskatoon to their first powerplay of the night. Not much was generated in the first minute of the man-advantage, but Molendyk put the Blades up 1-0 in the final 30 seconds of the powerplay. The silky-skating blueliner finished off a give-and-go with Lisowsky for his fourth goal of the season. Molendyk ended a 14-game goalless drought with the opening goal.
Is this the Krusty Krab?
NO, THIS IS TANNER MOLENDYK SCORING A GREAT GOAL!@PredsNHL pic.twitter.com/KK3q1gzgKx
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 8, 2024
Calgary forward Oliver Tulk responded with 4:51 remaining in the opening 20 with his 14th goal of the year. The 19-year-old forward has goals in eight straight games (9G, 8A). Linemate Ben Kindel extended his career-high point streak to 11 games with an assist on the goal, marking the beginning of his first-star performance on the night.
Lisowsky’s 14th goal of the year came 46 seconds into the middle frame to make it 2-1 Saskatoon. Bethune, SK’s own Ben Riche had the primary assist on the goal, giving him points in five straight games (2G, 5A)
Watch out, Mr. Krabs! Brandon Lisowsky's got the secret formula tonight 😏 pic.twitter.com/vR7MSlY14y
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 8, 2024
The ice tilted heavily in favour of the Hitmen as they scored three unanswered goals by the end of the period. Yakemchuk scored his tenth goal of the year right after a Calgary powerplay had expired. The Ottawa Senators prospect scored 6:16 into the second, tying the Hitmen at 2-2.
Kindel scored back-to-back even strength goals within the next four minutes to give the Hitmen a 4-2 lead. The NHL draft-eligible forward set a new career-high in goals after his first tally of the night.
Blades forward Hudson Kibblewhite returned to the lineup after missing the last seven games due to an upper-body injury. The Vernon, BC product worked in the batting cages while he was away because he swatted a powerplay goal in mid-air 6:40 into the third to bring the Blades within one. The 2007-born centre has four goals and two assists in 20 games this season.
Can you feel it now, Mr. Kibbs? 😏 pic.twitter.com/lvVCzWadyW
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 8, 2024
Lisowsky tied the game with 4:58 remaining in regulation with another powerplay goal. For a third consecutive game, the Blades were headed past 60 minutes.
Brandon Lisowsky with the game-tying goal on the power play 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xU9qpdHFNl
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 8, 2024
Unlike the Blades’ previous two games that extended beyond regulation, Saturday’s didn’t require a shootout. Kindel completed the hat-trick 29 seconds into overtime to give the Hitmen an extra point in the standings.
What’s Next?
The Blades begin a three-game road trip Tuesday at Co-op Place against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Puck drop 8:00pm CST.
