GAME DAY PREVIEW: Blades hope to keep rolling against Rebels
| Red Deer Rebels (10-20-6-2) at Saskatoon Blades (19-17-2-1) |
| Date | Time | Place | Friday, Jan. 5th | 7:00 p.m | SaskTel Centre |
| Tickets | Click here |
| Video Stream | WHL Live |
| Radio | 92.9 The Bull FM | Pre-Game Show w/ Les Lazaruk @6:30pm |
| Mobile App | Apple | Android |
| Live Stats | Click Here |
| Next Home Game | Saturday, January 6th, 7:00pm vs Kootenay ICE |
| Social Media | @BladesHockey  | Facebook  | Instagram  |
Tonight – The Saskatoon Blades will try to extend their season best win streak to 6 games hosting the Red Deer Rebels for the first time this season at SaskTel Centre. The Blades come into this game red hot having gone 8-2 in their last 10, and trailing the Regina Pats by just 2 points in the Eastern Conference standings, also having 2 games in hand over the Pats.
The opponent – It’s been a rough year for the Rebels who will look to snap a 5 game winless skid tonight. Red Deer has only one win in their 10 games (1-4-3-2) but have been known to squeak out points in extra time. The Rebels are coming off a 6-3 loss on Wednesday at home to Moose Jaw where they allowed a staggering 69 shots on goal, so needless to say their effort can only improve from their last outing. Expect this team to play with a little anger tonight.
For Saskatoon – The Blades have to prepare for this one just like any other and not come in over confident. Saskatoon does have 2 games in hand over the Regina Pats and trail them just 2 points in the standings, so if the Blades can get a win tonight and again tomorrow against team’s below them in the standings, they should jump back into the first wild car spot.
The lineup – The line of Chase Wouters, Braylon Shmyr, and Josh Paterson has combined for 34 points over the Blades 5 game winning streak so it’s likely they stick together. Hájek is still away at the World Juniors so the 6 d-men will remain, too. In goal, Ryan Kubic is back to a clean bill of health but after 3 days of rest and winning his last 8 starts, look for Nolan Maier to get another shot. With that said, tonight marks the first of 3 games in 3 nights so it’s almost certain Kubic will come back in at some point regardless of the outcome.
Injury Report:
F Caleb Fantillo – lower body, 2-4 weeks
F Kirby Dach – upper body, day-to-day
Download & view the full game notes » game notes vs RD jan5
