ROUND 2 GAME 1 RECAP | Minten’s three-point night secures Game 1 win for Blades over Rebels
Saskatoon, SK – Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten recorded three points to help the Saskatoon Blades secure a 4-1 victory over the Red Deer Rebels in Game 1 of Round 2 at SaskTel Centre. It’s the first time the Blades have won the opening game of a series since Game 1 in Round 1 against the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2019, when then captain Chase Wouters scored in overtime for the win. The last regulation Game 1 win was in 2011 in Round 1 against the Prince Albert Raiders.
Minten lit the lamp on the opening goal of the game and potted his second of the night on a powerplay goal just over halfway through the game. The 6-foot-2 centre assisted on winger Vaughn Watterodt’s game-winning tally between his two goals, improving Minten to three goals and seven points in six games this postseason.
Watterodt netted his first goal of the 2024 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien, giving him two points in six games.
Rookie netminder Evan Gardner improved his career playoff record to 5-0 after stopping 16-of-17 Red Deer shots. The WHL Rookie of the Year finalist has a .926 save percentage and 1.61 goals-against average in his first run in the postseason.
The Blades have won five straight games in the postseason dating back to Game 2 in Round 1 vs the Prince Albert Raiders.
Minten opened the scoring just under halfway through the first period with his second of the postseason. The 19-year-old centre deflected a Grayden Siepmann point-shot, the first of Siepmann’s two assists on the evening. Minten’s goal marked the sixth time in as many games the Blades opened the scoring in a game. The Blades lead stood at 1-0 heading into first intermission.
Minten gets the Blades first goal of Round 2!#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture | #SASvsRD pic.twitter.com/etkwmIyPay
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 13, 2024
Rebels forward Carson Birnie nodded the game up at 1-1 at the 5:29 mark of the second. The Arcola, SK product has two goals and three points in six games this postseason.
Watterodt regained Saskatoon’s lead 8:59 into the middle frame with his first goal of the postseason. The Rosetown, SK product has two points through six games, and his goal stood as the game-winner in Game 1.
Watterodt fishes in the crease for his first of the postseason!#WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture | #SASvsRD pic.twitter.com/Dn8DTkGOMk
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 13, 2024
Minten potted his second of the night with a one-timer on the powerplay to make it 3-1 Blades. Minten sent the Blades into second intermission with a two-goal lead.
BOW TO MINTEN!!!!@MapleLeafs | #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/W36l1SfGFI
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 13, 2024
Fellow Leafs property Brandon Lisowsky sealed the game with an empty-net goal to make it 4-1 Blades. The Port Coquitlam, BC product has goals in back-to-back games with two goals and five points in six games.
What’s Next?
The Blades look to go up 2-0 against the Rebels after Game 2 on Sunday at SaskTel Centre.
Puck drop is 4:00pm.