GAME 59 PREVIEW | Blades, Vees clash for first time in WHL history
Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More
You all know the drill.
It’s another Winning Wednesday at SaskTel Centre! If your Saskatoon Blades defeat the Penticton Vees in any fashion, every fan in attendance walks home with a FREE ticket voucher to our next home game! You won’t need to wait long to redeem as the next home game is Friday, Feb. 27 against the Prince George Cougars for our Real Canadian Superstore Your Team, Your Jersey Night.
We want to remind fans our Winning Wednesday procedure to receive your free voucher is now completely digital. If the Blades win, stick around after the final horn and scan the QR code on screen to take advantage of the free ticket voucher. Fans will NOT be able to redeem a physical copy at the rink or The FEZ.
The Blades and Vees go head-to-head for the first time in WHL history tonight at SaskTel Centre. The Bridge City Bunch begin the final ten-game stretch of the regular season, with seven of those remaining games taking place on home ice. There are familiar faces on the opposition in former Blades defenceman Morgan Tastad and netminder Ethan McCallum. The Blades can clinch a playoff spot tonight with a win in any fashion against the record-setting Vees, or a Moose Jaw regulation loss to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Saskatoon won back-to-back road contests on the weekend. First was a 5-2 victory Friday against the Red Deer Rebels, followed by an important 3-2 overtime win against the Calgary Hitmen. The Blades finished the four-game road trip 2-1-0-1.
Standings
Kaz comes up clutch
Martensville, SK native Kazden Mathies scored the game-winner in Saturday’s overtime win against Calgary. The former Seattle Thunderbird secured two goals and an assist across the weekend back-to-back. Mathies has 18 goals and 14 assists for 32 points in 58 games, shattering his career-highs from last season (8G, 6A).
Gardfather
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner won both games over the weekend, stopping 53 of 57 shots. The Fort St. John, BC native cracked 20 wins for the third consecutive season after Friday’s win against Red Deer. Gardner’s registered and .900+ save percentage in four straight contests, lifting him to a 21-14-3-2 record.
The good guys
Edmonton Oilers draft picks David Lewandowski leads the team in scoring with 15 goals and 41 assists for 56 points in 48 games. Alternate captain Rowan Calvert has the most goals on the team at 25 and a team-leading 13 coming on the man-advantage. Second-year defenceman Jordan Martin owns the best +/- at +10. Gardner has a 21-14-3-2 record between the pipes with a .905 SV%, 2.93 GAA, and three shutouts.
Milestone watch
Captain Tyler Parr is two assists away from 100 in his WHL career
Forward Hunter Laing is ten games away from 200 in his WHL career
Forward David Lewandowski is five point away from 100 in his WHL career
Defenceman Tristen Doyle is six games away from 250 in his WHL career
Defenceman Isaac Poll is ten games away from 100 in his 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
