GAME 50 PREVIEW | Blades look to make ground on Hitmen
Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More
The Saskatoon Blades (25-20-3-1) try to close the gap in the Eastern Conference standings when they welcome the Calgary Hitmen (25-13-6-1) to SaskTel Centre. Tonight’s game is presented by Cavendish Farms and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
The Blades have 54 points and trail the Hitmen by three with 18 games remaining on the season. The Blades have played four more games than Calgary but have two more games against the Hitmen to gain ground. The Blades are coming off a weekend split against the conference’s top Prince Albert Raiders. The Blades won 4-0 Saturday on the road and lost 3-1 at home on Sunday.
Standings
Gardner’s got it
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner was named first star in Sunday’s loss after stopping 45 of 47 Prince Albert shots. In the home-and-home series against the Canadian Hockey League’s (CHL) top ranked team this past weekend, Gardner notched a shutout while stopping 74 of 76 shots across two games. In 37 appearances this season, Gardner has a 19-11-2-1 record, .911 save percentage (5th in the WHL), 2.68 goals against average, and three shutouts (T-1st in the WHL).
Let Lew cook
Edmonton Oilers draft pick David Lewandowski has lit the lamp in four straight games. The 18-year-old winger netted the lone goal in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders for his 12th of the season. Lewandowski has four goals and two assists on his current four-game point streak. The sophomore Western Hockey League (WHL) winger leads the team in scoring with 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points in 39 games.
The good guys
Lewandowski leads the team in scoring with 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points in 39 games. Alternate captain Rowan Calvert has the most goals on the team at 23 and a team-leading 12 coming on the man-advantage. Second-year defenceman Jordan Martin and forward Hayden Harsanyi own the best +/- at +10. Gardner has a 19-11-2-1 record between the pipes with a .911 SV%, 2.68 GAA, and three shutouts.
Milestone watch
Captain Tyler Parr is five assists away from 100 in his WHL career
Defenceman Tristen Doyle is four points away from 100 in his WHL career
Forward Cooper Williams is three 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
