GAME 6 PREVIEW | Harvesting win top of mind for Blades in Brandon
Key Players, Notable Stats, How to Watch and More
Harvest is in, and the Saskatoon Blades are hoping to extract a win on the road at Assiniboine Credit Union Place at 3:00pm CT against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Today’s matinee is the first of eight battles this season between the two East Division heavyweights.
Saskatoon went 4-4-0-0 in eight games against the Wheat Kings last year. A pair of those victories came on the road in overtime. The Blades have loved playing the villain in Brandon throughout the past five years, sporting an 11-2-1-1 record in that span. Sunday’s contest is the return of Blades forward Dominik Petr to Brandon after being acquired by the Blue and Gold in the summer via trade. The Czech centre spent two seasons with Brandon and scored 32 goals and 60 assists for 92 points through 122 games.
Last time out
Saskatoon returned to the win column Friday at home in front of 8,000+ fans at SaskTel Centre. The Blades improved to 2-0 on home ice after a 4-2 victory against the Red Deer Rebels. The visitors went up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play, but a pair of powerplay goals in the second period from forwards Hunter Laing and Rowan Calvert put the Blades in front 2-1. 2008-born forwards Zach Olsen and Triston Mitchell-McElhone added another two goals for the Blades in the final frame to secure the win. Special teams were the difference in the contest as the Blades went 2/4 on the man-advantage and 2/2 on the penalty kill.
The good guys
Calvert’s powerplay goal in Friday’s win gave him a point in every game so far this season. The 20-year-old alternate captain leads the team with five goals and six points in five games this season. Rookie forwards Dustin Willhöft and Ben Bowtell recorded their first career Western Hockey League (WHL) points on Friday. Willhöft collected a pair of primary assists, while Bowtell registered the secondary helper on Olsen’s game-winning goal. Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner improved to 2-1-0-0 between the pipes with a 22-save performance. The Fort St. John, BC native has a 1.80 goals against average (GAA) and 0.935 save percentage (SV%) in three appearances.
The Opposition
The Wheat Kings are desperate for their first win of the season. Brandon was blanked 5-0 at home last night at the hands of the Edmonton Oil Kings, dropping their record to 0-3-1-0. The Wheat Kings 25 goals against are the most in the Eastern Conference and second in the WHL behind only the Vancouver Giants with 29. Reigning WHL Player of the Week Chase Surkan is leading the way offensively for the Wheaties with four goals and three assists in four games.
Milestone Watch
Rowan Calvert is five points away from 100 in his WHL career
Dominik Petr is four points away from 100 in his WHL career
Jack Kachkowski is five games away from 100 in his WHL career
Tristen Doyle is seven games away from 200 in his WHL career
Evan Gardner needs four more wins for 50 in his WHL career
Watch & Listen
Fans can watch tonight’s game for FREE on Victory+ TV. Click HERE to make your free account today.
Voice of the Blades Les Lazaruk will have the call on 600 CJWW. Coverage begins at 2:45pm CT with the pre-game show hosted by Lazaruk.
