BLADES DOMINANT 3rd LEADS THEM TO VICTORY
Divisional games are becoming more and more important for the Saskatoon Blades. Mid-way through the season, and coming into tonight, Saskatoon sat five points behind the Edmonton Oil Kings for the 2nd wildcard spot.
“You have to stay in the mix,” said Head Coach and GM Bob Woods. “Letting Swift Current beat us the other night, that was one we hated to see go. To win the next two…it definitely helps us, we have to stay there.”
A back and forth period started the game as both teams tried to feel each other out. With Tanner Faith in the box for kneeing, the Blades got just the start they were looking for as Bryton Sayers snapped a shot from the far point that got past Warriors goaltender Willms. After recording two goals on Friday, Sayers has certainly found his groove.
“It’s definitely feeling really good,” said Sayers. “It’s really nice being back on this team” he added.
The 2nd period brought about a more free flowing and fast paced game after both team seemed to work out kinks in the 1st. It was the Warriors who found it sooner however, McNulty would capitalize on a Graham hooking penalty. Just over 10 minutes later, the Warriors would strike again when Saskatoon native, Jesse Shynkaruk slid through the Blades defence and tipped the Hunt centring pass past Hamm.
The Blades showed their determination after going down 2-1. Sloboshan would score a highlight reel goal, working from the corner out front and out waiting Willms before roofing it past the sprawled goaltender.
.@TheWHL plays of the week, look out! We’ve got a contender for top spot! pic.twitter.com/XBBILm4WpK
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 3, 2016
Moose Jaw would retake the lead late in the 2nd however, when Dryden Hunt, the 2nd leading goal scorer in the league, ripped one past Hamm on the man advantage.
Heading into the 3rd period, the Blades trailed 3-2.
After some wise words from Bob Woods, the Blades come out in the 3rd with a purpose, controlling the play in all facets. The tying goal came four minutes into the 3rd, off the stick of Sayers, his 2nd of the game, and 4th in his past two games.
“He’s everything we knew he was, the energy, heart and soul,” said Coach Woods. “He’s finally getting comfortable. We’re happy to have him.”
“Everything I did last game was the exact same thing to a tee today and it worked out.” said Sayers, who is quickly becoming one of the Blades top defencemen.
Just past the 10 minute mark of the 3rd period, Saskatoon took the lead when Connor Gay scored a beautiful backhand, setup by Cameron Hebig. That goal extended his point streak to a league leading 12 games.
Making it the longest point streak in the WHL this season in style! #gayzer pic.twitter.com/40hDDRyToO
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 3, 2016
The always humble Gay was quick to deflect all the attention away from himself.
“Just playing with good players,” said Gay. “They’re helping me out, I’m helping them out and it’s been working right now.”
Barely a minute later, the Blades struck again, this time on a goal by rookie centre, Josh Paterson, who chipped a loose puck up and over Willms to give the Blades total control with the score 5-3.
Mason McCarty would seal the deal for the Bridge City Bunch with the empty netter in the dying seconds, capping off a phenomenal 3rd period which saw the team outshoot Moose Jaw 14-4.
“That’s the way we have to play on a consistent basis to win hockey games in this league,” said Woods. “There’s no secret recipe for us, we know they way we have to play and how we have to do it and when we do were tough to play against us.”
“3rd period we came out and did what we had to do.” he added.
“If we just keep playing the way we can, there’s no stopping us.” said Connor Gay
Certainly that rings true for the Blades, who have proven that a full 60 minute effort at the top of their game is good enough to beat the best teams in the league.
They will be put to the ultimate test on Wednesday when they welcome to Memorial Cup hosting Red Deer Rebels to town who are coming off a 10-0 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings.
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