GAME 40 PREVIEW | Blades conclude four-game road trip in Calgary
WHL REGULAR SEASON | GAME 40 | Saskatoon Blades (22-13-2-2) @ Calgary Hitmen (22-11-3-1)
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Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (22-13-2-2) cap off their four-game road trip Friday against the Calgary Hitmen (22-11-3-1) at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The season series sits at 1-1 as both teams captured a win in their opponent’s barn. The Blades handed the Hitmen a 5-3 loss in Calgary on October 2. The Hitmen responded with a 5-4 overtime win December 7 at SaskTel Centre. These clubs, along with the Medicine Hat Tigers, are in a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Conference with 48 points. The Blades have one game in-hand on Medicine Hat, while the Hitmen have two more games to play than Saskatoon.
A 4-2 loss was the fate for the Blades Wednesday at Rogers Place against the Edmonton Oil Kings. The Blades are 2-1 on their road trip thanks to wins prior against the Moose Jaw Warriors on January 4 and the Red Deer Rebels on Tuesday.
Who to Watch
2007-born forward Hayden Harsanyi scored a goal and an assist in his Blades debut Wednesday against Edmonton. The former Tigers first-round pick in 2022 was acquired by Saskatoon Monday in a deal that also brought defenceman Jack Kachkowski and five WHL Prospects Draft picks in exchange for defenceman Tanner Molendyk and forward Misha Volotovskii. Harsanyi missed 32 games prior due to Wednesday due to a lower-body injury, sitting at two goals and four assists in eight games this season.
19-year-old forward František Dej is expected to make his debut with the Blades tonight. The 6-foot-5 centre was signed by the team Wednesday. Dej played 50 games for the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Phoenix last season before returning home this year to the top pro league in Slovakia. Dej also represented Slovakia at the 2025 World Junior Championships earlier this month.
Rookie forward Cooper Williams picked up his first powerplay goal and ninth total Wednesday in Edmonton. The Calgary, AB product has 26 points in 39 games this season, four coming in his last five games.
