GAME 65 RECAP | Gardner records second straight shutout, Blades down Pats 4-0 at home
Saskatoon, SK – In case you haven’t heard, the Gardfather is back.
Saskatoon Blades goalie Evan Gardner recorded his second straight shutout on Sunday at SaskTel Centre to help his team to a 4-0 victory over the Regina Pats. The Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick stopped 23 shots after a 22-save shutout Friday at InnovationPlex against the Swift Current Broncos. The Fort St. John, BC native has seven total in his WHL career, tying him for third all-time amongst Blades goalies beside Braden Holtby. Gardner also set a new career-high in wins with 22 after 21 win last season in his rookie year.
Blades rookie centre Cooper Williams continued his torrent pace with a goal and assist in the win. The Calgary, AB native has four multi-point games in his last five outings, scoring four goals and five assists in that span. The 2008-born forward is tied for second in WHL rookie scoring with 55 points (20G, 35A), 33 (14G, 19A) coming in 34 games since the Christmas break.
The Blades are tied with the Brandon Wheat Kings at 79 points for first place in the East Division with three games left in the regular season. Saskatoon is 6-3 in March and winners in five of their last six games.
Rookie forward David Lewandowski lit the lamp first for Saskatoon with 7:02 left in the first period. The NHL draft-eligible winger extended his point streak to four games (2G, 3A) with the only goal of the opening frame. Lewandowski’s fourth game-winning goal of the year gives him 12 goals and 23 assists in 49 games. No goal came until the final 20 minutes of play.
Lewandowski opens the scoring!! pic.twitter.com/c5zWHJ1v7X
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 16, 2025
Williams made it 2-0 Saskatoon 3:04 into the third. The powerplay goal was assisted by Calgary Flames draft pick Hunter Laing, who finished the game with two, and rookie defenceman Brayden Klimpke.
Cooper Williams, 20-goal rookie season 🚨 pic.twitter.com/6XS86jDmkp
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 16, 2025
First-year blueliner Jordan Martin made it 3-0 Blades just under halfway through the final frame. The Abbotsford, BC native has three goals in the month of March, giving him seven total and six assists in 62 games.
Jordan Martin finishes off a beautiful play for his seventh of the season!#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/lQheogUib6
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 17, 2025
Youngster Kohen Lodge gave the Blades a 4-0 lead with 4:52 remaining in the game. The 16-year-old affiliated player (AP) has four goals and two assists in 26 games up with the Blades this season. The goal capped an impressive performance for the Bridge City Bunch, outshooting the Pats 39-23 overall.
We're not making this easy 😤 pic.twitter.com/ruCwUICHIU
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 17, 2025
What’s Next?
The Blades battle for top spot in the East Division on Wednesday at Westoba Place against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Puck drop is 6:00pm CST.
