GAME 41 PREVIEW | Blades begin home-and-home versus Broncos
Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More
The Saskatoon Blades welcome the Swift Current Broncos to SaskTel Centre to begin a weekend home-and-home series. It’s Country Night presented by Richardson Pioneer. The Blades lead the eight-game season series 3-0, outscoring Swift Current 11-4. Saskatoon’s dropped back-to-back contests heading into tonight’s four-game homestand finale. The Blue and Gold’s latest result was a 3-1 loss at home on Wednesday against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Tonight marks the beginning of ten games in 19 days for the Bridge City Bunch.
Standings
Ranked
The trio of Cooper Williams, Zach Olsen, and Brayden Klimpke have cracked NHL Central Scouting’s Midterm Rankings.
Williams ranked 42nd amongst North American skaters. The 2024-25 Western Hockey League (WHL) Rookie of the Year finalist is second in team scoring this season with 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points in 37 games. The 17-year-old centre has 91 points (34G, 57A) in 105 career WHL games. Williams was listed as a “B” rated prospect in Central Scouting’s preliminary rankings, indicating a second or third round pick.
Behind Williams at 43 is fellow Calgary, AB product Olsen. The 6-foot-1 winger set a new career-high in scoring this season with 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points in 38 games. Olsen put the league on notice with a four-goal game on December 9 on the road against the Moose Jaw Warriors. The right-handed shot was named first star in the 9-3 win, becoming the first Blade to record four goals in one period since the internet era began. The performance also marked Olsen’s first career hat-trick.
Klimpke is slotted at 79. The 2007-born defender leads the team in assists with 26 in 39 games, adding three goals along with them. The sophomore blueliner has seven goals and 51 assists for 58 points in 111 career games. Both Klimpke and Olsen were previously given “C” ratings by Central Scouting in their preliminary rankings.
The good guys
Calgary Flames draft pick Hunter Laing leads the team in scoring with 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 36 games. Alternate captain Rowan Calvert has the most goals on the team at 21 and a team-leading ten coming on the man-advantage. Second-year defenceman Jordan Martin has the best +/- at +9. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner has a 15-9-2-1 record between the pipes with a .903 SV%, 2.83 GAA, and two shutouts.
Milestone watch
Captain Tyler Parr is five assists away from 100 in his WHL career
Defenceman Tristen Doyle is eight points away from 100 in his WHL career
Forward Cooper Williams is nine points away from 100 in is WHL career.
Watch and listen
Fans can watch tonight’s game for FREE on Victory+ TV. Coverage begins 15 minutes before puck drop hosted by Tanner Chubey. Click HERE to make your free account today.
Post game
