ROUND 1 GAME 4 RECAP | Blades eliminated from 2025 WHL Playoff after Game 4 loss against Hitmen
Saskatoon, SK – The Saskatoon Blades season came to an end Wednesday at SaskTel Centre after a 6-2 loss against the Calgary Hitmen in Game 4 of their Round 1 best-of-seven series.
It was a season where many pegged the Blue and Gold to not even make the postseason. Not only did they throw everything they had at the Hitmen through Round 1, they were the second-youngest team in the postseason while doing it at an average age of 17.9. Not to mention, the Blades were one win away from and East Division banner in the final game of the regular season.
Rookies David Lewandowski, Hayden Harsanyi, Zach Olsen, and Brayden Klimpke all recorded a point in the loss, showcasing the bright future on display for the team. It was also an emotional send-off for 20-year-old captain Ben Saunderson and fellow overage blueliner Grayden Siepmann. Both men hugged on the ice following the game, followed by Saunderson taking a lap for one last goodbye to Blade City.
With one of the youngest teams in the WHL and plenty of potential for returnees on the roster, the future of Blades hockey is brighter than ever.
Neither side found the back of the net in the opening 20 minutes. A big reason for the empty scoresheet was the Blades penalty-kill going 3/3.
Hitmen forward David Adaszynski kickstarted three unanswered goals for the visitors in a 6:19 span. The 2005-born centre opened the scoring 38 seconds into the second period with his second of the postseason. NHL draft-eligible forward Ben Kindel potted his second goal of the series less than a minute later to extend the Hitmen’s lead to two. Not long after, Ottawa Senators prospect Carter Yakemchuk made it 3-0 Calgary with his first goal of the postseason and second point of the night.
Blades rookie winger Zach Olsen brought life back into SaskTel Centre with his first goal of the playoffs under halfway through the game. Less than a minute later, Blades centre Hayden Harsanyi put the Blades within a goal with his first of the postseason.
Now that's what we like to see!!! pic.twitter.com/NAE1d0pmR4
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 3, 2025
Harsanyi keeping the momentum going pic.twitter.com/P9TemyWMLc
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 3, 2025
Kindel quickly killed the Blades comeback bid with his second of the night 11 seconds later. The Blades headed to the dressing room down a pair after 40 minutes.
Hitmen forward Oliver Tulk scored to make it 5-2 Calgary with 10:34 left in the game, followed by Kindel’s hat-trick goal into the empty-net late into the game.
