GAME 39 PREVIEW | Seniors Night at SaskTel Centre

GAME 39 PREVIEW | Seniors Night at SaskTel Centre

Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More

We’re celebrating the fans who have cheered us on for decades.

It’s Senior’s Night inside SaskTel Centre as the Saskatoon Blades go head-to-head with the powerhouse Edmonton Oil Kings at 7:00pm. Make sure to grab your bingo card as soon as you enter the doors. Play along throughout the game for a bingo for a chance to take your card to the ticket table and be entered to win a prize.

The real entertainment is during first intermission as we welcome the Saskatoon 65+ Hockey League for a game. These gentlemen show you’re never too old to love the game of hockey. Hitting the ice with the Blades for the national anthems will be our Al Anderson Senior Blade!

{BUY TICKETS}

Tonight’s the first game post trade deadline for both sides. It was a quiet deadline for the Blue and Gold. Saskatoon’s lone trade came minutes before the January 8 deadline, acquiring a pair of Western Hockey League (WHL) draft picks in exchange for 2006-born defenceman Tyrone Sobry.

“We felt Kaden Allan and Jack Lavallee as promising young 2008 D needed the playing time as they are a big part of our future,” said Blades General Manager and President Colin Priestner, “It was an absolute pleasure to have Tyrone on the Blades this year, he’s a fantastic kid who deserves the chance to play every night like he will get in PG!”

This evening’s contest marks the third of four meetings between the Blades and Oil Kings this season. The season series is tied 1-1. Both sides have scored 12 goals and collected their win on home ice. The Blades have won four straight games, outscoring opponents 15-5. Saskatoon’s latest victory came in 5-1 fashion at home on Saturday against the Brandon Wheat Kings.

Don’t miss tonight’s battle between two of the best squads in the Eastern Conference!

Standings

By the power vested in Vert

Alternate captain Rowan Calvert scored a pair of powerplay goals in the win against Brandon on Saturday. The 20-year-old winger notched both goals within a minute of each other in the second period. Calvert leads the team in goals with 21 in 38 games, tacking on 11 assists as well. The Moose Jaw, SK product’s ten powerplay goals are tied for the fourth most in the WHL.

Back in business

17-year-old rookie forward Ben Bowtell scored the opening goal in the 5-1 win over the Wheat Kings. The Yorkton, SK native snapped a 28-game goalless drought with the tally. Bowtell has two goals and two assists in 35 games, two points coming in his last three games.

Gardfather

Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner has won four consecutive starts. Gardner was named first star on Saturday against Brandon after stopping 35 of 36 shots. The 6-foot-1 netminder has a 15-8-2-1 record with a .903 save percentage, 2.82 goals against average, and two shutouts.

The good guys

Calgary Flames draft pick Hunter Laing leads the team in scoring with 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 35 games. Calvert has the most goals on the team at 21, a team-leading ten coming on the man-advantage. Second-year defenceman Jordan Martin has the best +/- at +8. Gardner has a 15-8-2-1 record between the pipes with a .903 SV%, 2.82 GAA, and two shutouts.

The opposition

Contrary to the Blades, Edmonton’s trade deadline was flooded with movement. The Oil Kings struck five deals since returning from the Christmas break. Notable adds include:

• F Jaxon Fuder (’06)
• D Austin Zemlak (’05)
• F Aaron Obobaifo (’07)
• D Carter Sotheran (’05)

Notable players out include:

• F Joe Iginla (’08)
• D Parker Alcos (’06)
• F Niko Tsakumis (’05)

The Oil Kings sit third place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-7-3-1 record. Edmonton has a +58 goal differential. Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Miroslav Holinka leads the team in scoring with 25 goals and 32 assists for 57 points in 35 games. Not far behind is 5-foot-10 forward Lukas Sawchyn with 18 goals and 35 assists for 53 points in 38 games. The Oil Kings enter tonight winners of six straight.