ROUND 3 GAME 4 RECAP | Sidorov sends series home tied with overtime winner in Game 4
Moose Jaw, SK – The Eastern Conference Final has been nothing short of pure cinema.
The Saskatoon Blades gutted out a 5-4 overtime win at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Wednesday in Game 4 against the Warriors, evening the best-of-seven series 2-2.
Anaheim Ducks prospect Egor Sidorov was the overtime hero, scoring his league-leading 13th goal of the playoffs and fourth game-winner, also the most in the WHL. It was the fifth game-winning goal of the 6-foot sniper’s postseason career, setting a new all-time franchise record for anyone in a Blue and Gold sweater. Sidorov has 19 points in 13 games this postseason, the most on Saskatoon.
11 different Blades recorded at least a point, including Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky who finished the night with a goal and two assists. The 5-foot-9 sniper has a career-high six goals and 16 points in 13 games. NHL drafted stars Tanner Molendyk and Alexander Suzdalev also found the back of the net, along with captain Trevor Wong who scored his fourth goal of the postseason.
Rookie netminder Evan Gardner came up with big saves when it mattered most, stopping 33-of-37 shots to improve to 9-2 in the playoffs.
Saskatoon improves to 4-1 in overtime these playoffs, and Game 4 marked the first time the team who opened the scoring walked away with the win.
Lisowsky struck 14 seconds into the game for Saskatoon, giving the Blades a 1-0 lead for the third time this series. The Port Coquitlam, BC product put home a lonely puck sitting in the Warriors crease for his sixth goal of the postseason.
Brandon Lisowsky shocks the Moose Jaw crowd with a goal just 14 seconds into the game 🤯@MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/DgovNk6qGb
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 2, 2024
Wong struck less than one minute later with his fourth of the postseason to make it 2-0 Blades. The pending WHL graduate has 12 assists as well in 13 games these playoffs. Fellow overager Easton Armstrong assisted on the tally, giving him two assists in as many games back from his four-game suspension.
A WILD START.
Trevor Wong makes it 2-0 less than two minutes in! pic.twitter.com/WjNA7bOiAO
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 2, 2024
Suzdalev made it 3-0 Saskatoon 8:32 into the game with a deflection. The 20-year-old winger has four goals and six assists in 13 games this postseason. Lisowsky picked up his second point of the evening with a helper on the goal.
Alexander Suzdalev gets the deflection on the point shot for his 4th goal of the playoffs 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ozoXzI5NqN
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 2, 2024
The Warriors responded with back-to-back goals under five minutes apart to bring the hosts back within one. Pittsburg Penguins prospect Brayden Yager scored his ninth of the postseason, followed by Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus’ tenth of the playoffs and first of the series.
Molendyk regained the Blades two-goal lead before the end of the period. The 6-foot blueliner’s third of the playoffs sent the Blades into first intermission up a pair.
Molendyk puts one in from distance 🚨🚨🚨@PredsNHL pic.twitter.com/UGUkns1aSW
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 2, 2024
Yager and forward Rilen Kovacevic got two goals for the Warriors in the middle frame to send it to the final 20 minutes tied for the fourth time this series.
Neither team found the back of the net in the third, sending Wednesday’s game to a third overtime of the series.
Sidorov found himself all alone in front of Moose Jaw goalie Jackson Unger and scored his league-leading fourth game-winner of the postseason. Sidorov’s fifth career playoff game-winner set a new all-time franchise record.
Egor Sidorov comes in clutch and has the Blades rolling, rolling, rolling back to Saskatoon!!!@AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/sUjfjsk5JD
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 2, 2024
What’s Next
The Eastern Conference Final returns to SaskTel Centre Friday for Game 5 of the best-of-seven series.
Puck drop is 7:00pm.