GAME 28 PREVIEW | Blades begin December with road tilt in Brandon
Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More
The Saskatoon Blades (14-11-2-0) embark to Brandon, MB for their third meeting of the season against the Wheat Kings (11-11-1-0). Puck drop from Assiniboine Credit Union Place is set for 7:00pm.
The season series is tied 1-1 with each team earning their win on the road. Saskatoon took the first contest 6-3 on October 5. Former Wheat King and current 20-year-old forward Dominik Petr recorded a pair of goals and assists in the win for Saskatoon. The Blades suffered a 3-2 loss at SaskTel Centre in the last meeting between the two clubs on November 22. The loss marked the beginning of a three-game losing streak for the Bridge City Bunch. Tonight’s a chance to return to the win column against the team who took them out of it a couple weeks ago.
Six different Blades recorded a multi-point game in the team’s 6-5 loss on Sunday at Rogers Place against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Alternate captain Rowan Calvert netted a pair of goals to tie him for the team-lead alongside Hunter Laing at 13. Laing dished two helpers in the defeat, as did Petr and fellow alternate captain Brayden Klimpke. Captain Tyler Parr and Edmonton Oilers draft pick David Lewandowski both recorded a goal and an assist; Parr’s coming short-handed in the third period.
Tonight’s game is one of seven for the Blades before the Christmas break. The remaining two road games prior to the holiday stoppage are next week against the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Blades welcome the Regina Pats, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince Albert Raiders, and the Kelowna Rockets to SaskTel Centre between now and December 17.
Standings
100 for Klim Reaper
Tonight marks Brayden Klimpke’s 100th career WHL game. The NHL draft-eligible defenceman has six goals and 44 assists for 50 points in 99 career games with the Blue and Gold. In 27 games this season, the 6-foot blueliner has two goals and 19 assists for 21 points. Klimpke was rated a “C” prospect in NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary rankings, indicating a fourth or fifth-round pick.
World Juniors bound
18-year-old forwards David Lewandowski and Dustin Willhoft were named to Team Germany’s preliminary roster for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minneapolis, MN. Lewandowski represented Germany at last year’s tournament and leads the Blades in points with 26 (7G, 19A) in 24 games. Willhoft has one goal and four assists in 26 games his rookie season with Saskatoon.
The good guys
Lewandowski leads the team in points with 28 (8G, 20A) in 25 games. Calvert and Laing are tied for the most goals on the team at 13. Second-year defenceman Jordan Martin has the best +/- at +6. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner has a 9-6-2-0 record between the pipes with a .892 save percentage (SV%), 3.09 goals against average (GAA), and one shutout.
The opposition
The Wheat Kings enter tonight averaging 4.65 goals per game. A large reason for their offensive success is their 32.5% powerplay, good for second-best in the entire Western Hockey League (WHL). Brandon’s powerplay in the season series against Saskatoon is 3/4. 2008-born forward Jaxon Jacobson is tied for third in WHL scoring with 38 points (8G, 30A). Seven players are averaging a point-per-game or more this season. The Wheat Kings have gone 14-7-1-0 after starting the season 0-4-1-0.
Milestone watch
Hunter Laing is one point away from 100 in his WHL career
Watch & Listen
Fans can watch today’s game for FREE on Victory+ TV. Click HERE to make your free account today.
Voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk will have the call on 600 CJWW. Coverage begins at 6:45pm CST with the pre-game show.
