GAME 36 | Blades begin 2024 welcoming Wheat Kings
WHL REGULAR SEASON | GAME 36 | Saskatoon Blades (24-8-2-1) vs Brandon Wheat Kings (19-12-4-1)
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Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (24-8-2-1) ring in the new year with an afternoon tilt at SaskTel Centre against the Brandon Wheat Kings (19-12-4-1). The Blue and Gold are 0-2 against the visitors this season. Their latest setback against Brandon came Friday on the road in a 3-2 shootout loss.
Tonight marks the return of forward Jayden Wiens to SaskTel Centre after going to Brandon in a trade prior to the 2023-24 season. The Carrot River, SK native produced 43 goals and 84 points in 166 games with the Bridge City.
Saskatoon’s earned at least a point in their last 12 games going 9-0-2-1 during that stretch. Sitting at 51 points through 35 games, the Blades remain __ points ahead of the Medicine Hat Tigers for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Who to Watch
Defenceman Nicholas Andrusiak recorded his first point as a Blade in Friday’s loss to Brandon. The Tisdale, SK product earned the secondary assist on captain Trevor Wong’s goal in the second period. Andrusiak was acquired by the Blades from the Red Deer Rebels on Dec. 12th and has one assist and a +8 rating in four games since coming over. In 21 games total, the 5-foot-10 blueliner has four assists.
19-year-old netminder Austin Elliott gave everything he had in Friday’s defeat. The sophomore goalie turned aside 35-of-37 shots and stopped 6/7 shootout attempts. Elliott’s nine wins shy of 50 in his WHL career with a 15-4-2-1 record this season.
Leaving 2023 behind, but not saves like this pic.twitter.com/seUsNSYuJz
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 30, 2023
Toronto Maples Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky, Anaheim Ducks draft pick Egor Sidorov, and captain Trevor Wong all come into tonight on eight-game point streaks. Wong earned third-star honours Friday with a goal and an assist. The 20-year-old veteran leads the Blades in points with 57 (8G, 49A) and leads the WHL in assists. Sidorov sits second in WHL goals with 33, four back of Prince George Cougars forward Zac Funk.
SHEESH, TREVOR 🥵 pic.twitter.com/fPHWQ3cZCV
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) December 30, 2023
