GAME 7 PREVIEW | Blades eye third straight win, visit Oil Kings
WHL REGULAR SEASON | GAME 7 | Saskatoon Blades (4-2-0-0) @ Edmonton Oil Kings (3-4-0-1)
|
Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (4-2-0-0) visit Rogers Place Wednesday for a matchup against the Edmonton Oil Kings (3-4-0-1). Both sides met for the first time one week ago at SaskTel Centre where the Blades emerged victorious 5-3.
Saskatoon’s feeling good after a 6-1 thumping against the Regina Pats at home Saturday outshooting them 51-15. Rookie forwards Zach Moore and William James recorded their first career WHL point with assists on defenceman Tanner Molendyk’s opening goal of the game.
2022-23 CHL All-Rookie Team netminder Austin Elliott saw his record jump to 3-0-0-0 stopping 14-of-15 shots in Saturday’s victory. The Strathmore, AB product sits at a .908 save-percentage and 1.96 goals-against-average.
Who to Watch
The Blades made two blockbuster trades throughout Tuesday. The club began the day acquiring right-shot defenceman Grayden Siepmann from the Calgary Hitmen in exchange for defenceman Fraser Leonard and three picks. The 5-foot-11 blueliner is ranked fourth amongst all 2004-born defencemen in points with 18 goals and 70 points in 151 career WHL games.
Saskatoon then traded for 6-foot-3 forward Easton Armstrong from the Wenatchee Wild for two draft picks. The Los Angeles, CA product is red hot to start the season with nine points (6G, 3A) in four games. Armstrong’s scoring touch is a bonus with his big frame and looks to be a dangerous option up front for the Blue and Gold.
For full details on the Siepmann trade, click HERE
For full details on the Armstrong trade, click HERE
No goalie is safe when Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky is around. The Port Coquitlam, BC product potted two goals against the Pats, including the game-winner in the first period. Hats rained down for Lisowsky last week vs Edmonton after he earned his fourth career hat-trick. The 5-foot-9 sniper boasts six goals and nine points in six games, both good for the team-lead.
Sidorov just wanted to help with the celly 😂 pic.twitter.com/WgfWaa2vOH
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) October 8, 2023
The Blades are seeing scoring throughout their lineup. 2005-born forwards Lukas Hansen and Jordan Keller each have three goals and two on the powerplay this season. La Salle, MB native Tyler Parr is averaging a point-per-game with six points, earning second-star honours vs Regina with a goal and an assist. Nashville Predator’s prospect Tanner Molendyk was the game’s first start scoring a goal and an assist, good enough for six points (2G, 4A) in four games this year.
Willy James first @WHL assist comes on a BEAUTY from Molendyk 🥵@PredsNHL pic.twitter.com/ImJtIWfj1q
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) October 8, 2023
"In a Parrzy world" 🎵 pic.twitter.com/B6sOJg5yX9
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) October 8, 2023
Boys are just ripping them tonight 🎯 pic.twitter.com/9zYOdyks3M
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) October 8, 2023
Go to the 🥅 and good things happen… just ask Lukas Hansen pic.twitter.com/pDKGr7aMTv
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) October 8, 2023
