GAME DAY PREVIEW: Blades looking to rebound in Red Deer
The Saskatoon Blades will look to shake off their special teams’ woes from last night as they head into Red Deer this evening to open a four game season series with the Rebels. Tonight marks the third game in four nights on the road for the Blades, who have gone 1-1 so far on the trip.
The Blades enter tonight’s contest with a less than flattering 2-5-0-0 record, but the schedule for the first seven games hasn’t exactly been friendly. Playing seven games the Blades have only faced four opponents; Calgary once, Regina twice, Medicine Hat twice, and the undefeated Swift Current Broncos twice.
It won’t be any easier tonight against a tough group in Red Deer. The Rebels should be well rested having last night off and coming in with a 5-3-0-0 record. All that without their starting goaltender, Riley Lamb, who is out indefinitely with an upper body injury.
A familiar face on the other side will need some extra attention tonight from Saskatoon. Mason McCarty, who was traded to Red Deer on draft day for a 2017 2nd round pick (Braden Plaschewsky), currently leads the Rebels in goals (8) and points (14).
As for the blue & gold, there shouldn’t be any reason to completely re-invent the game plan. There were two glaring factors in last night’s loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers, and if they’re improved even by the slightest this evening the Blades should have as good of a chance as any to come away with two points.
- Discipline – The Blades surrendered FIVE power play goals last night on 7 penalty kills.
- Big guns – Braylon Shmyr & Cameron Hebig were limited to just 5 combined shots on goal and were held off the scoresheet. A big factor in that was the amount of time played short-handed, but if the Blades are going to be successful, the big guns need to be firing every night.
Game time is 7:00pm at the Enmax Centrium in Red Deer. Tune in live to the official voice of the Blades, 92.9 The Bull FM. The pre-game show with Les Lazaruk begins at 6:30pm. Fans can also stream the game on WHL Live.
Download & view the full game notes: game notes at RD Oct14
The next Blades home game is on Wednesday, October 18th, when the Vancouver Giants come to town. Click here for tickets or call 306.975.8844 to book your group night or experience package!
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