GAME 66 PREVIEW | Top spot in East Division up for grabs as Blades visit Wheat Kings
WHL REGULAR SEASON | GAME 66 | Saskatoon Blades (36-22-3-4) @ Brandon Wheat Kings (36-22-4-3)
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Tonight
It’s a battle for first place in the East Division as the Saskatoon Blades (36-22-3-4) visit Westoba Place to take on the Brandon Wheat Kings (36-22-4-3).
Both squads are tied for second place at 79 points, one back of the first-place Prince Albert Raiders. Tonight’s each team’s third-last game of the regular season and both their game in-hand over Prince Albert. Saskatoon’s final two games of the year are a weekend home-and-home series against the Raiders, while the Wheat Kings have two games against the Regina Pats.
Tonight’s the eighth and final meeting of the regular season between the two clubs. Saskatoon is 3-4-0-0 in the season series but 2-1-0-0 on the road. The Bridge City Bunch are coming off back-to-back shutout victories over the weekend. First was a 3-0 win on the road against the Swift Current Broncos, followed by a 4-0 victory at home Sunday against the Regina Pats.
2008-born centre Cooper Williams was named WHL Rookie of the Week on Monday. The 2008-born centre recorded three goals, four assists, and a +6 rating across four games last week. In 34 games since the Christmas break, Williams has 14 goals and 19 assists for 33 points. The Blades second pick of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft is third in WHL rookie scoring with 20 goals and 35 assists in 65 games.
Alternate captain Rowan Calvert is expected to dress in his 200th career WHL game tonight. The third-year Blades has 23 goals, 28 assists, and 51 points in 61 games this season, all career highs. In 199 career games, Calvert has 38 goals and 49 assists for 87 points.
Sophomore goalie Evan Gardner was named WHL Goaltender of the Week on Monday. The Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick went 3-0 with back-to-back shutouts, sporting a .964 save percentage and 1.00 goals against average through that span. Gardner’s seven career shutouts is tied for the third-most in franchise history alongside Braden Holtby. Gardner’s 23-save shutout Sunday against Regina marked earned him a new career-high in wins with 22.
