ROUND 1 GAME 3 RECAP | Armstrong’s hat-trick gives Blades 2-1 series lead
Prince Albert, SK – Forward Easton Armstrong’s hat-trick, capped off by the game-winner, secured a 4-3 overtime victory for the Saskatoon Blades at the Art Hauser Centre against the Prince Albert Raiders. The Game 3 win was crucial in the best-of-seven Round 1 series presented by Save-on-Foods, as the Blades lead the series 2-1.
Armstrong opened the scoring early in the first period, adding another before the first 20 minutes expired. The Denver, CO product’s overtime heroics came 23 seconds into overtime on the man-advantage, giving him four goals and five points in the series. After the first five Blades powerplays were unsuccessful, Armstrong struck on the most important one.
Rookie netminder Evan Gardner wasn’t overly busy between the pipes but stopped 18-of-21 shots to improve to 2-0 this postseason. The reigning WHL Player of the Month won Game 2 at SaskTel Centre after a 31-save performance.
The Blades have their first lead of the series with Game 4 back inside the Art Hauser Centre on Wednesday.
Saskatoon’s opened the scoring in all three games so far this series, tonight it was Armstrong who put the Blades in front 1-0. The 6-foot-3 winger collected the puck off a Raiders turnover at the blue line and tucked it glove side past goalie Max Hildebrand 5:56 into the first. Armstrong showcased some silky mitts to silence the near sold out Art Hauser Centre.
Easton Armstrong with the steal and the snipe to take the lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oLd0Gd2107
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 3, 2024
Armstrong’s second goal of the frame came just before the halfway point of the period, giving Saskatoon three consecutive games with a 2-0 lead to start. Both Armstrong’s tallies came unassisted, giving him three goals and four points in Round 1. Outshooting the Raiders 16-4 after 20 minutes, it was all Saskatoon heading into intermission.
Armstrong puts another one into the back of the net 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/zFiYYAwCTu
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 3, 2024
Despite outshooting Prince Albert 10-8 by the end of the second, Saskatoon surrendered two unanswered goals to make it a brand new hockey game. First was rookie forward Krzysztof Macias with his first career WHL playoff goal after he was sprung after serving a penalty. Next was a powerplay goal 11:32 into the second from NHL draft-eligible forward Ryder Ritchie, giving him two goals and five points this series.
Wong shutdown the Raiders momentum with his first of the postseason with under three minutes left in the period to make it 3-2 Saskatoon. It was the third unassisted goal for Saskatoon as Saskatoon went into the final 20 minutes outshooting Prince Albert 26-8.
The captain gets his first of the playoffs! Trevor Wong goes shelf 😤 pic.twitter.com/RcunWXT9L5
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 3, 2024
Raider forward Aiden Oiring tied the game again for the hosts with his second of the postseason. Oiring’s tally came with just under six minutes left in regulation, forcing overtime in Hockey Town North.
Armstrong wasted little time as he recorded his first career playoff hat-trick with the overtime winner.
Easton Armstrong gets a hat trick and the game winning goal all in one 🧢🧢🧢 pic.twitter.com/8BwwWxcNUv
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 3, 2024
What’s Next?
Both teams return to the Art Hauser Centre for Game 4 tomorrow night at 7:00pm, as the Blades look to go up 3-1 with a chance to end the series Friday at SaskTel Centre.
