Blades Dump Ice In Overtime
The Saskatoon Blades won their second straight game on Friday night as they earned a gritty 3-2 overtime win against the Kootenay Ice.
Blades forward Shane McColgan scored the overtime winner for Saskatoon, despite the fact that they were outshot 36-20 in the game.
Saskatoon trailed to start the game as the Ice drew first blood at 10:43 of the opening period when Jordyn Boyd scored his second of the year. But, Saskatoon was able to answer before the period was out as 20 year old Josh Nicholls blocked a shot shorthanded and rushed down ice, scoring on the backhand to make it 1-1 at 15:49.
The shots were 11-5 Ice through 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Blades took the lead for the first time in the game. Once again it was Josh Nicholls doing the scoring. The Blades leading scorer finished off a great passing play as Shane McColgan took a hit in the corner to make a play, getting the puck to Matej Stransky who then fed Nicholls for the goal. Saskatoon led 2-1 through 40 minutes despite being outshot 25-15.
In the 3rd period, the Ice were determined.
They came out firing and eventually got the evening goal. Erik Benoit threw a puck on net from a tough angle and it found a hole in Andrey Makarov to make it 2-2 at 9:11. Neither team would score down the stretch despite some good chances and the game headed to overtime.
Saskatoon would capitalize on their first good chance of the sudden death frame. Shane McColgan picked up the puck off the cycle, walked out of the corner and out-waited the Ice goaltender Wyatt Hofflin, before sliding the puck home for his 2nd straight game-winner.
The goal was assisted by Josh Nicholls, capping a 3-point night for him.
Andrey Makarov made 34 saves in the victory as the Blades move to 7-9-0-0 on the year and stay unbeaten in extra-time.
The Blades will look to carry their momentum in Lethbridge where they take on the Hurricanes tomorrow night. Game time goes at 7:00PM Saskatchewan time.
