GAME 32 RECAP | Blades erupt in third period with five goals to beat Warriors
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades five unanswered goals in the third period lifted them to a 5-2 victory Friday at SaskTel Centre against the Moose Jaw Warriors.
It took a little bit longer than some hoped, but 20-year-old forward Brandon Lisowsky sent the stuffies soaring with his first career Teddy Bear Toss goal 6:18 into the third. The Port Coquitlam, BC product scored two goals within 16 seconds and finished with an assist to be named the game’s first star. Lisowksy is the first Blade to reach 20 goals this season and has 37 points in 26 games. The 5-foot-9 sniper’s pair of goals also tied him for fifth on the Blades’ all-time goal scoring list with 141 alongside Perry Ganchar.
19-year-old winger Rowan Calvert picked up a goal and an assist, including his team-leading tenth powerplay tally of the year. It was the 5-foot-11 forward’s first game back in the Blades’ lineup since December 7 after dealing with an upper-body injury. Calvert has 13 goals and 16 assists in 28 games this season.
Sophomore netminder Evan Gardner returned to the win column with 28 saves. The Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick’s record improved to 14-7-2-0.
Saskatoon reclaimed their spot atop the Eastern Conference with the win, sitting 18-10-2-2 on the season.
Warriors forward Ethan Semeniuk kept the bears in hibernation with his third goal of the season 8:10 into the opening frame. Neither side capitalized on their lone powerplay opportunity in the first, keeping Moose Jaw up 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Moose Jaw doubled their lead in the second thanks to NHL draft-eligible forward Lynden Lakovic. The 6-foot-4 winger potted his 17th goal of the year with 20:07 remaining in the frame to put the Warriors up 2-0 heading into the third.
Lisowsky brought the Blades within one 6:18 into the final 20 minutes with his 19th goal of the year. It was the first time the fifth-year Blade has been on the ice for a Teddy Bear Toss goal in his career. Lisowsky followed his first of the night with another goal 16 seconds later to make it 2-2.
Add "Teddy Bear Toss Goal" to the impressive resume of Brandon Lisowsky! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Qlg0Aqgf4k
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 28, 2024
And just like that… Brandon Lisowsky is tied for 5th on the Blades' all-time goal scoring list!@TheWHL pic.twitter.com/dktlkKTETR
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 28, 2024
2006-born defenceman Morgan Tastad gave the Blades their first lead of the night 8:57 into the final frame. The Loreburn, SK product’s first of the season is his fifth point in 28 games this year.
Morgan Tastad's first of the season comes at a CRUCIAL time! pic.twitter.com/7FJvZYIVE7
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 28, 2024
Calvert cashed in on the powerplay less than three minutes later to give the Blades a 4-2 cushion.
Bubble Calvert is UNMATCHED 😤 pic.twitter.com/EwCGhkbHPM
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 28, 2024
Bethune, SK’s own Ben Riche made it 5-2 Saskatoon with an empty net goal 3:23 left in the game. The Blades’ leading scorer finished with a goal and an assist, giving him 19 goals and 43 points in 31 games.
What’s Next?
The Blades head south on Highway 11 to the Brandt Centre for their third meeting of the season against the Regina Pats.
Puck drop is 6:00pm CST.
