ROUND 3 GAME 1 RECAP | Blades rally late to force overtime, fall in Game 1 to Warriors
Saskatoon, SK – Saskatoon Blades forward Egor Sidorov’s late third period tally forced overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but it was the Moose Jaw Warriors who stole a 4-3 victory at SaskTel Centre on Friday.
The Anaheim Ducks prospect netted a pair of goals in the contest, including the game-tying goal with 1:27 left in the third to make it 3-3. Sidorov’s got three consecutive multi-goal games this postseason, amassing eight total in that span. The reigning WHL Player of the Week leads the league in goals this postseason with 12 and leads his club in points with 16 in ten games.
Blades alternate captain Charlie Wright opened the scoring minutes into the game to jolt nearly 9000 Bridge City Faithful in attendance. The pending WHL graduate leads Saskatoon’s back end with three goals and seven assists in ten games this postseason.
Rookie netminder Evan Gardner saw his impressive 16-game win streak come to an end after allowing four goals on 26 shots. The NHL draft-eligible goalie’s record drops to 7-1 this postseason.
Saskatoon’s eight-game win streak snapped at the hands of the Warriors, but the Blades don’t have to wait long to get their revenge. Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final is back at SaskTel Centre tomorrow night.
Powered by the energy of a deafening barn, Wright got the Blades on the board just over three minutes into the game. The Olds, AB product hesitated on his shot from the point and managed to put it between the legs of Warriors forward Martin Rysavy and netminder Jackson Unger. Wright leads all Blades defencemen in points this postseason with three goals and seven assists in ten games.
Charlie Wright goes five-hole on not one, but two Warriors! pic.twitter.com/gj6x2A2vKW
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 27, 2024
The Blades outshot the Warriors 15-7 by the end of 20 minutes, leaving the period with a 1-0 lead. Things may have been different though had it not been for a ten-bell save by Gardner late in the frame.
Evan Gardner see puck, Evan Gardner stop puck 🔥#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/DLLEpJIygS
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 27, 2024
Sidorov potted his first goal of the night 1:59 into the second, giving Saskatoon a 2-0 lead. The 6-foot sniper went for a skate with the puck on the near wall and floated a shot through traffic near the Warriors blueline. Sidorov leads the Blades in points with 15, two ahead of second-place Trevor Wong.
Sidorov scores anytime, anywhere 😤@AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/9oRMH5nig7
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 27, 2024
Moose Jaw responded instantly as forward Brayden Schuurman netted his third of the postseason.
20-year-old forward Atley Calvert tied the game for the Warriors just under halfway through the game with goal number four of his playoffs. Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk collected his second assist of the night, extending his league lead to 21 in ten games. The contest remained tied heading into the final 20 minutes.
Buffalo Sabres prospect Matthew Savoie took the wind out of SaskTel Centre’s sails, giving the Warriors a 3-2 lead with 4:52 remaining in the game. The 2004-born forward extended his point streak to 25 games with the goal, giving him eight tucks and six assists in nine games these playoffs.
Sidorov wasn’t going down without a fight, tying the game with his league-leading 12th playoff goal with 1:27 left on the clock. The roof blew off SaskTel Centre as the Beasts of the East were headed to overtime for a crucial series-opening game.
TALK ABOUT CLUTCH!!!!!!!!@AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/OSijCANmli
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) April 27, 2024
Just over halfway through the extra frame, Saskatoon product Brayden Yager scored the game-winner for Moose Jaw as family and friends in attendance cheered.
What’s Next?
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final gets underway tomorrow night at SaskTel Centre. Fans are invited to a tailgate party outside of the arena at 5:00pm, featuring beer gardens, burgers, and live music. Puck drop is slated for 7:00pm with a guaranteed $50,000 50/50 jackpot.