GAME 3 PREVIEW | Blades looking to rally as series shifts to SaskTel Centre
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINAL | Game 3 Moose Jaw Warriors @ Saskatoon Blades Warriors lead 2-0
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Tonight
The series shifts north, as the Saskatoon Blades welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors into SaskTel Centre for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Final.
Saskatoon is looking to get back into the series after dropping the first two contests by a combined score of 10-4 at Mosaic Place, first falling 5-1 last Friday before a 5-3 setback the next night.
Draft-eligible forward Brandon Lisowsky collected a pair of goals in Game 2, including the game-tying marker in the second period to make it 2-1.
Lisowsky is one of three players to have lit the lamp against the Warriors this series, joining Minnesota Wild prospect Josh Pillar and Rosetown, SK’s Vaughn Watterodt.
Following tonight’s game, both squads will reconvene at SaskTel tomorrow for Game 4.
Should the series continue beyond four games, Game 5 will take place in Moose Jaw on Friday, followed by Game 6 in Saskatoon on Saturday.
Game 7 is tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday.
Who to Watch
Draft-eligible forward Brandon Lisowsky netted a pair of goals in Game 2 to earn third-star honours. The former first-round draft pick is coming off a historic year, netting 33 markers — the most by a 17-year-old Blade since the mid-1990s. Lisowsky is ranked 87th by NHL Central Scouting among North American skaters as he enters his first post-season.
Playoff type goal for Lisso pic.twitter.com/iBTe4VxZn1
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 24, 2022
Forward Jayden Wiens picked up a pair of assists in last Saturday’s loss, helping set up Vaughn Watterodt for the Blades’ go-ahead marker in the second, along with Lisowsky’s second goal late in the third. Playing in his first post-season, the Carrot River, SK product is coming off the best regular season of his career, scoring 19 goals with 23 assists for 42 points.
Defenceman Tanner Molendyk collected his second assist of the playoffs last Saturday, placing him into a three-way tie for top spot in team scoring. The rookie blue-liner is the only Blade to find the scoresheet in both playoff games so far, and is coming off an impressive regular season with 18 points (3G-15A).
Touch of Gold
Ahead of tonight’s game, Team Canada gold medalist Emily Clark will be on hand to take part in a ceremonial puck-drop. She’ll also be signing autographs in the first intermission, so be sure to bring some of your Team Canada merch to the game!
Clark, born and raised in Saskatoon, helped Team Canada capture gold with an emphatic victory over Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
A golden touch 🥇
Saskatoon’s very own Emily Clark of Team Canada will be dropping the puck ahead of Game 3 tomorrow night.
🎟️ | https://t.co/DVJZEp6HUw pic.twitter.com/I2JmfEwIWo
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 25, 2022
COMPLETE MEDIA NOTES PACKAGE
Stick around after the game for Les Lazaruk’s post-game show, located on the concourse! Broadcast live on 600 CJWW Radio, Les welcomes players and coaches into the lounge to discuss how the game unfolded, the out-of-town scoreboard, and provides in-depth analysis of the team!
Playoff Merch!
We’re unveiling a new clothing line for the 2022 WHL Playoffs!
Stop by The Frozen Pond, located in SaskTel Centre, and check out the new selection we have.
*psst… our previous location on Idylwylde Drive is moving to a new place! So in the meantime, The Frozen Pond is moving back to the rink*
Think you know who’ll score our first goal tonight? Look for our First Goal Prediction Contest, brought to you by Boston Pizza, on all of our social media platforms and the Blades Official App! Good luck!
