GAME 9 RECAP | Lisowsky nets overtime winner against Regina, Blades win third straight
Saskatoon, SK – It wasn’t a perfect victory, but it was a paw-fect one as the Saskatoon Blades downed the Regina Pats 4-3 in overtime Tuesday at Sasktel Centre.
The Blades hosted their annual Pucks and Paws game where fans can bring their furry friends to cheer on the Blue and Gold with them. No one had more dog in them than 20-year-old forward Brandon Lisowsky, who scored the overtime winner for his first goal of the season. The former Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick has appeared in three games since returning from Leafs and Toronto Marlies camp, finding the back of the net after regulation to extend the Blades’ win streak to three. Lisowsky has a goal and an assist in his three games back.
19-year-old netminder Logan Cunningham walked away with the win in his Blades debut. The former Edmonton Oil King and Victoria Royal turned aside 23-of-26 shots to begin his tenure with the Blades 1-0-0-0. The Sherwood Park, AB native was invited to Blades training camp in August and earned himself a spot on the roster.
The Blades finished their four-game home-stand 3-0-1-0 and improved to 7-1-1-0 on the season. In regards to points-percentage, Saskatoon is first in the WHL.
Things started well for a man known to the Blades organization but no longer with them. Former Blade and Saskatoon native Zach Moore opened the scoring for Regina 6:18 into the game. The former second-round (34th overall) pick of the Blades has three goals and and one assist in nine games, giving the Pats a 1-0 lead early in the game. Moore was sent to Regina December 31, 2024 in a deal that brought Washington Capitals prospect Alexander Suzdalev to the Blue and Gold.
Third-year winger Rowan Calvert netted the Blades’ first goal of the game for a second straight contest. The Moose Jaw, SK product deflected a Tanner Molendyk point-shot on the powerplay 8:51 into the opening frame. Calvert’s fourth powerplay tally on the season ties his career-high set last season in 68 games, and extended his point streak to seven games (6G, 3A). In nine games this year, Calvert boasts seven goals and four assists.
Right on his tail for the team-lead in scoring is 19-year-old forward Ben Riche. The Bethune, SK product netted his sixth of the season 13:06 into the first to give the Blades a 2-1 lead. Riche intercepted a Pats breakout pass fresh out of the box after serving a two-minute minor penalty for slashing. The former Victoria Royal crossed Regina’s blueline with speed and ripped it top corner against goalie Kelton Pyne. The left-handed speedster finished the evening with one goal and an assist, giving him the team-lead in points with six goals and seven assists.
The lone goal in the second came just over halfway through the frame courtesy of Pats forward Cole Temple. The NHL draft-eligible winger has two goals and three assists in seven games this season. Former Blade John Babcock earned the secondary helper in his first game against his former team, setting up a 2-2 game heading into the final 20 minutes.
Another former Blade in defenceman Dayton Deschamps scored just over halfway through the third to give Regina a 3-2 lead. The former Saskatoon Blazer was also involved in the deal with Moore last December. Deschamps first career WHL goal put the Blades on their heels with time dwindling down in the game.
Veteran forward Tyler Parr tied the game with 34 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. The La Salle, MB product has two goals and eight assists in seven games this season.
Lisowsky’s heroics came 3:27 into overtime, with the primary assist going to the Blades second-round (120th overall) pick in the 2024 CHL Import Draft, David Lewandowski. It was the Düsseldorf, German native’s first WHL point in just his second career game.
What’s Next?
The Blades hit the road for a two-game swing across Alberta. Saskatoon visits Rogers Place Thursday at 7:00pm CT to take on the Edmonton Oil Kings, and follow it with a 7:00pm CT game Saturday against the Red Deer Rebels at the Peavey Mart Centrium.
