RECAP: Blades roll into 2018 with 5th straight victory
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades rang in the new year in style, winning their 5th straight game after doubling up on the Swift Current Broncos 4-2 Monday afternoon. Saskatoon now holds an 8 point lead over the Prince Albert Raiders who are in Regina tonight to take on the Pats. Regina sits 2 points behind the Blades, giving Saskatoon sole possession of the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Blades opened the scoring at 9:42 of the first period via their fourth line of forwards. Tyler Lees battled the puck along the wall before slipping it off to Dryden Michaud who banged it home for his second goal of the season. Mark Rubinchik also earned an assist on the play.
Michaud with a one-time to put the Blades in front 1-0!!
🍏 Lees, Rubinchik
9:42 | 1st#RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/L3g1Xvldma
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 1, 2018
However, the Swift Current Broncos managed to tie up the game 1-1 before the first intermission. An awful turnover from behind the Blades net landed right on the end of Ethan Regnier’s stick in the slot where he was able to snipe truly and level the score unassisted at 14:11. Like Michaud, Regnier’s goal was also his second of the season.
Saskatoon retook the lead at the 7:49 mark of the second period. Braylon Shmyr and Evan Fiala charged into the offensive zone with a 2 on 1 advantage. Fiala rushed to the net while Shmyr set up the shot. Then, instead of shooting, Shmyr released the puck toward Fiala’s stick where The Captain tipped the puck in to set the score at 2-1 Blades. Unfortunately, less than a minute later the Broncos scored another unassisted goal via Kole Gable who tied the game at 2-2 for the second intermission.
5:36 into the third period and Josh Paterson continued his goal streak, now with 8 goals in his last 5 games. On the power play, Cameron Hebig took control and released a heavy shot which Broncos’ net minder Logan Flodell gloved down but failed to control. The Blades’ pounced on the spilled puck and it was Paterson who managed to knock it in and give Saskatoon the 3-2 lead. Both Cam Hebig and Jackson Caller earned assists on the play.
Nolan Maier won his 8th straight start making 20 saves while his counterpart and former Blade Logan Flodell earned 2nd star honours making 38 saves in the loss.
Josh Paterson extended his point streak with a goal and an assist giving him 8 goals and 3 helpers in his last 5 outings. Braylon Shmyr did the same adding a goal and an assist to give the veteran 15 points in his last 5 games, while their sophomore centreman Chase Wouters got in on the action with one assist for 7 points in his last 3 contests.
The Blades will now have a few days to practice and prepare for a 3 game in 3 nights weekend beginning on Friday night at SaskTel Centre when they welcome the Red Deer Rebels.