ROUND 1 GAME 2 RECAP | Series shifts back to Saskatoon as Blades fall 5-1 in Game 2
Calgary, AB – The Saskatoon Blades fell 5-1 to the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Game 2 of their best-of-seven Round 1 playoff series.
20-year-old defenceman Grayden Siepmann was the lone goal scorer for the Bridge City Bunch, giving him two goals in as many games this series. The overage blueliner scored about halfway through the third period to cut the Blades’ deficit down to 4-1.
Blades goalie Evan Gardner made 33 saves on 37 shots through 40 minutes. Netminder Ethan McCallum came in for relief of the Blades starter to begin the third period, stopping all ten shots against in the final frame.
The series shifts home for the Blue and Gold at SaskTel Centre on Tuesday, April 1 for Game 3, with Game 4 the following night. Puck drop is 7:00pm for both games.
The Hitmen opened the scoring for a second straight game thanks to forward Brandon Gorzynski’s first goal of the postseason. The 2007-born winger put the Hitmen up 10 just over halfway through the first period. The NHL draft-eligible winger added his second point of the series just more than two minutes later with an assist on forward Ethan Moore’s powerplay tally. After zero points in four regular season meetings against Saskatoon, Moore has three goals and one assist in Round 1 against the Bridge City Bunch. Saskatoon found themselves down a pair after 20 minutes of play.
The Hitmen doubled their lead in the middle frame. Captain Carson Wetsch potted his first goal of playoffs 7:34 into the second on the powerplay. The San Jose Sharks draft pick has two goals in seven career WHL playoff games.
Former Moose Jaw Warrior Kalem Parker made it 4-0 Calgary less than five minutes later with his first goal of the postseason. The Clavet, SK native’s goal stood as the final goal of the second.
Siepmann broke the shutout bid for Hitmen goalie Anders Miller just over halfway through the third. Forward Hayden Harsanyi notched his first career playoff assist and second ever point, while defenceman Brayden Klimpke earned his first WHL postseason point with an assist as well.
What’s Next?
The series shifts to SaskTel Centre for Game 3 on Tuesday, April 1 and Game 4 the following night.
Puck drop for both games is 7:00pm.
