WIN COLUMN | Lisowsky’s pair powers Blades to opening victory
REGINA, SK — The 2021 campaign begins with a heavy dose of Brandon Lisowsky.
The Saskatoon Blades 1st round pick from 2019 tallied his first two career goals, including the insurance marker late in the third period, powering his team to a 4-2 victory over the Swift Current Broncos to open the 2021 season in Regina’s Hub Centre.
Saskatoon’s record is off to a 1-0-0-0 start to their 24-game schedule, with the Broncos dropping to 0-1-0-0. The Blades will look for a second victory in as many days on Sunday, playing as the home team against the host Regina Pats at the Brandt Centre.
In what was Saskatoon’s first game in 368 days, the crew overcame deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 to eventually stage a flurry of offense in the third period.
Saskatoon maintained most of the pressure through the first period, outshooting the Broncos 13-6 while also killing off penalties by Chase Wouters and Blake Stevenson with ease. The lone goal of the frame came on Swift Current’s first shot on goal — Raphael Pelletier snuck a seeing-eye snapshot past a screened Nolan Maier to give his team a 1-0 lead.
Plenty of time left 😏 pic.twitter.com/olartQVEVF
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 13, 2021
Lisowsky’s first career tally was one for the highlight reel. Caiden Daley dug the puck out of the corner and slipped it to Wouters near the bottom of the circle. A quick pass found Lisowsky parked in front, who snapped home a one-timer past Isaac Poulter to tie it up 1-1.
What a way to score your first career WHL goal! Brandon Lisowsky buries one for @BladesHockey & it's 1-1 in the #SubwayWHLHub! pic.twitter.com/6MVBmkUMHl
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 13, 2021
Lisowsky’s marker, tallied at 6:41 of the second period, was followed up by Broncos rookie Josh Davies, who also scored his first career goal, five minutes later. Davies was parked to the side of Maier during a goal-mouth scramble when the puck bounced its way free, allowing the youngster to whack it home.
That first goal feeling.
Congrats @BrandonLisowsky 👏 pic.twitter.com/kmfNu498cl
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 14, 2021
Saskatoon held a 29-21 shot advantage after 40 minutes of play.
Needing a third period comeback to avoid dropping their first match of the season, Saskatoon answered the bell. Returning forward Kyle Crnkovic was fed a beautiful saucer pass from draft-eligible Colton Dach to the front of the net, chipping home his first of the season over Poulter’s shoulder.
The goal, coming 6:18 into the final frame, was followed up by Tristen Robins first of the year. Robins, who spent time in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda last month, was parked in front of the net when newly acquired defenceman Wyatt McLeod unloaded from the high slot. McLeod’s shot appeared to careem off Robins’ foot and find the lower right side of the net, giving the Blades their first lead of the game.
Lisowsky’s second of the night came thanks to a gritty effort from Wouters to keep the puck in the offensive zone. Wouters muscled the puck to an unguarded Lisowsky in tight who chipped it top shelf to give the Blades some breathing room at 4-2.
Blades starting netminder Nolan Maier put together a strong performance with 23 saves, while Poulter stopped 36 of 40 shots fired his way.
Lisowsky, who finished the night on a line with Wouters and alternate captain Caiden Daley, earned first star honours with his two-goal performance. Wouters was named the game’s second star with two assists, with Pelletier rounding out the three. Blades defenceman Rhett Rhinehart deserves an honourable mention with two assists and a +2 rating.
Neither team capitalized on powerplay opportunities, with Saskatoon successful on five penalty kills and held scoreless on the man-advantage twice.
368 days later, we're back in the win column 😎
1-0 to start 2021. pic.twitter.com/JhzmT012Ip
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 14, 2021
Next up, Saskatoon takes on the Regina Pats on Sunday at 4:00pm in their home opener before resting on Monday and Tuesday.
