ROUND 3 GAME 5 | Blades take 3-2 series lead after overtime thriller at home
Saskatoon, SK – Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten recorded a pair of goals, including the overtime winner, to help the Saskatoon Blades win Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final 5-4 against the Moose Jaw Warriors. More than 11,000 fans packed SaskTel Centre to root on the Blue and Gold, and they were not disappointed.
It was a perfect first two periods for the Blades, going up 4-0 after 40 minutes. Four unanswered goals by the Warriors in the third made things a little dicy, but Minten came through in the extra frame for a second time this series. The Vancouver, BC product scored the game’s opening and closing goal, giving him three goals and one assist this series. Minten has eight goals and six assists in 14 playoff games this year, coming up clutch in the biggest moments during this run.
Anaheim Ducks prospect Egor Sidorov scored his league-leading 14th goal of the playoffs in the first period, giving him a team-best 20 points in 14 games. Alternate captain Charlie Wright earned second star on the evening with a goal and an assist, giving him a the most points amongst Blades defenceman this postseason with four goals and eight assists in 14 games. Fellow Leafs property Brandon Lisowsky picked up his seventh goal of the playoffs, giving him 17 points in 14 games. The Port Coquitlam, BC native has three goals and three assists this series.
Washington Capitals prospect Alexander Suzdalev whipped up three assists, owning nine total with four goals in 14 games this postseason. Pending WHL graduate Easton Armstrong also picked up a pair of helpers, giving him four assists in his last three games.
Rookie netminder Evan Gardner collected his tenth win of the playoffs stopping 39-of-43 shots.
The Blades are one win away from their first WHL Final appearance since 1994. Pushing Moose Jaw’s back against the wall, Saskatoon can advance to the final Sunday with a victory in Game 6 at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
Minten opened the scoring for Saskatoon under three minutes into the game to make it 1-0. The 6-foot-2 centre was in all alone in front after linemate Alexander Suzdalev threw a shot on netminder Jackson Unger.
HOW YA DOING, #BladeCity!!??@MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/v3RPcB79AH
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 4, 2024
Sidorov made it 2-0 Saskatoon after he scored his league-leading 14th goal of the playoffs just over halfway through the first. The 19-year-old winger has 20 points in 14 games this postseason and put the Blades up a pair heading into first intermission.
Won't find a better shot than this one from Egor Sidorov@AnaheimDucks pic.twitter.com/CbtiAqZF1u
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 4, 2024
Wright scored his fourth of the postseason on a four-minute powerplay to make it 3-0 Saskatoon.
Chucky blows the roof off of @SaskTelCtr!!!!!@TheWHL pic.twitter.com/CjIIN7lmME
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 4, 2024
Lisowsky scored his seventh of the playoffs with under six minutes remaining in the second to give Saskatoon a 4-0 lead. Wright earned his second point of the night with a primary assist on the goal. The Blades went into intermission with a 4-0 lead, the first time this series it wasn’t tied after 40 minutes.
Fans: "SHOOT!"
Lisowsky and Wright: "Say no more"@MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/39nitXGZMv
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 4, 2024
The Warriors responded with four unanswered goals in the third to force a fourth overtime in five games this series. Forward Brayden Schurrman scored his fourth goal of the playoffs 49 seconds into the third to kickstart the comeback. Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus potted his 11th of the postseason under four minutes later to bring the Warriors within two. Captain Denton Mateychuk scored back-to-back goals to make it 4-4.
It looked like a second overtime was bound to happen, but Minten potted his second of the game and second overtime winner of the series to give the Blades a 3-2 series lead.
Bow down to Fraser Minten 🙌@MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/A8ehBG42c9
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) May 4, 2024
What’s Next?
The Blades can punch their ticket to the WHL Final on Sunday with a win in game 6 at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.
Puck drop is 2:00pm.