GAME DAY PREVIEW: Blades roll into the Hat for tilt with Tigers
The Saskatoon Blades (2-4-0-0) will bring some momentum with them into Medicine Hat this evening for their second meeting of the year with the Tigers (4-3-0-0). Medicine Hat took the series opener back on September 29th, so the Blades will be looking to even things up tonight.
Saskatoon is feeling good after a big 6-4 win on Wednesday night in Regina over the Pats. Braylon Shmyr and Cameron Hebig each put up four points in the victory, but they weren’t the only bright spots. Seth Bafaro registered his first career WHL goal, which came on the man advantage. The power play goal gives the Blades one in each of their last two games; something that was absent in the first four.
Josh Paterson picked up an assist for his first point on the season, which is hopefully a sign of things to come. Paterson put up 37 points as a sophomore last year and is expected to take on a bigger role this year.
Libor Hájek also lit the lamp in the win; his first of the season and 8th of his career. With the departure of Bryton Sayers on the Blades blue line after graduating last season, getting two goals from the backend in a single game is a nice compliment to the Blades offense.
In goal, Ryan Kubic returned after missing two games due to injury to make 27 saves for his second win of the season. As a result of Kubic’s return, 16-year-old Nolan Maier was returned to the Yorkton Terriers of the SJHL after making his WHL debut last Saturday in Regina.
Saskatoon will prepare for their second game without two of their centremen. Logan Christensen is sidelined for 6-8 weeks with an upper body injury sustained in practice on Monday. Kirby Dach is inching closer to day-to-day status and will be assessed next week. The rookie pivot suffered an upper body injury last Saturday in Regina as a result of a hit-from-behind from Lane Schioler who received a 2 game suspension on the play.
The Tigers on the other hand will be short-handed up front. Max Gerlach (7pts in 6 games) is out with an upper body injury and Zach Fischer left the team earlier in the week. Fischer, 20, scored 34 goals last season with the Tigers.
The puck drops tonight at 7:30pm in Medicine Hat and fans can tune in live to the the official voice of the Blades, 92.9 The Bull FM. The pre-game show with Les Lazaruk begins at 7:00pm.
Download & view the full game notes: game notes at MH Oct13
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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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