RECAP: Blades storm back to beat Hurricanes in overtime
photo: Cindy Adachi
Chase Wouters scored his 5th goal of the season with just six seconds remaining in overtime Wednesday night to complete the comeback for the Saskatoon Blades in a 2-1 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The win is the 3rd straight for Saskatoon, improving to 6-7-1-0 on the season.
Wouters from Ramsay & Hájek!!! Blades comeback to win 2-1 in Lethbridge!!!#RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/T9XGxdjBPd
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) November 2, 2017
Scoring first was a key factor heading into this one for the Saskatoon Blades but they didn’t manage to succeed in that category. The home side made it 1-0 at the 6:55 mark of the opening period thanks to Josh Tarzwell’s 2nd of the season. However the score didn’t tell the tale of the effort in the first period as the Blades held a 14-9 advantage on the shot clock.
The second period it became apparent this contest was going to be a battle of the tenders; two veterans used to seeing plenty of rubber in Stuart Skinner and Ryan Kubic. Each team posted 15 shots in the middle frame but neither were able to light the lamp.
Lethbridge ramped up the pace in the final 20 minutes, but Ryan Kubic was a wall stopping another 11 shots in the 3rd. With the penalty kill doing their job for Saskatoon it was time for the power play to cash in. Midway through the period Chase Wouters criss-crossed with Mark Rubinchik who then ripped a wrist shot through traffic going high blocker side on Skinner to tie the game. Rubinchik’s equalizer was the first of his WHL career in his 77th regular season game. Wouters and Machado picked up the assists on the tying goal.
The 1st of his career! Mark Rubinchik ties the game on the power play!! 1-1 midway through the 3rd period.
🍏 Wouters, Machado#RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/vygqTLmAam
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) November 2, 2017
60 minutes and 66 combined shots weren’t enough to finish this one meaning fans in Lethbridge were treated to some free 3-on-3 action and it did not disappoint. Both teams exchanged blows going back and forth on odd-man rushes but the goaltenders were set on stealing the spot light.
Finally in the dying seconds with possession in the Lethbridge zone Gage Ramsay, Libor Hájek, and Chase Wouters cycled the puck along the wall in an effort to cross up the Canes defenders. Then, with an open lane Gage Ramsay hit Wouters on the tape in the slot, and the kid from Lloydminster made no mistake going up high over a sprawling Stuart Skinner to complete the comeback and win the game with just 6 seconds left on the clock.
Wouters earned 3rd star honours for his 2 points behind the birthday boy Stuart Skinner who made 34 saves in the loss for 2nd star. And for the 3rd straight game, Blades netminder Ryan Kubic was named 1st star after an exceptional performance with 35 saves. The Blades went a perfect 5/5 on the penalty kill and improved their power play percentage going 1/3.
For the 3rd straight game, your 1st ⭐️… with 35 saves, say it with us:
KOOOOOOOOOBS!!! pic.twitter.com/yJD78fVf6K
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) November 2, 2017
Saskatoon now sits just one game below .500 and 2 points out of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Blades will have the day off tomorrow before meeting in Medicine Hat on Friday night with the Tigers.
The next Blades home game is Friday, November 10th for Salute our Veterans & Forces Night versus the Swift Current Broncos. Click here for tickets or call 306.975.8844 to book your group night or experience package!