GAME 40 RECAP | Harsanyi scores again, Blades fall 4-1 to Hitmen
Calgary, AB – Forward Hayden Harsanyi scored his second goal in as many games with the Saskatoon Blades in a 4-1 loss to the Calgary Hitmen Friday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
The 5-foot-10 centre scored the Blades’ lone goal on his 18th birthday to give him two goals and an assist in two games with the Blue and Gold. Harsanyi was acquired by the Blades Monday from the Medicine Hat Tigers along with defenceman Jack Kachkowski and five WHL Prospects Draft picks. Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk and 2005-born forward Misha Volotovskii went the other way in the deal. Harsanyi has three goals and four assists in nine games this season, missing 32 due to a lower-body injury.
Friday marked the end of the Blades four-game road trip, going 2-2 away from home. Sophomore netminder Evan Gardner was handed the loss after 29 saves on 33 shots. The Blades remain in second place of the Eastern Conference with 22-14-2-2 record, good for 48 points.
Hitmen forward Oliver Tulk opened the scoring 3:49 into the game with his 21st goal of the season. Linemate Ben Kindel extended his franchise-record point streak to 22 games with an assist on the goal.
San Jose Sharks prospect Carson Wetsch made it 2-0 Hitmen with his 17th goal of the season with 5:04 remaining in the first. The Calgary captain has 31 points in 38 games this season.
Offence eluded the Blades through the opening 20, heading to intermission down a pair and outshot 13-4.
Hitmen forward Brandon Gorzynski made it 3-0 Hitmen just over halfway through the game with his seventh goal of the year. The Scottsdale, AZ native finished the game with a goal and an assist, giving him 24 points (7G, 17A) in 38 games.
The Blades were outshot 10-5 in the second period as they found themselves down three heading into the final 20 minutes.
Harsanyi brought the Blades within a pair 3:44 into the final frame. The former 16th overall pick of the Tigers ripped a shot past 20-year-old netminder Daniell Hauser.
2 goals and 1 assist in two games since joining the Bridge City Bunch 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LK1boIZVVD
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 11, 2025
Tulk added his second point of the night 12:52 into the third to make it 4-1 Calgary. The game’s first star finished with two goals and an assist, giving him four goals and four assists in three games against Saskatoon this year. The final shots on goal were 33-13 for the Hitmen.
What’s Next?
The Blades return home Wednesday for their lone meeting of the season against the Portland Winterhawks.
Puck drop is 7:00pm CST.
