Camp Update: Day 2 Wrap
Day two of Saskatoon Blades training camp has come to a close with each of the four teams having played twice on Sunday. Team Holtby is out in front heading into the final day of camp on Monday with a 2-0 record, both Clark and McLellan have a win and a loss each and Team Gulutzan is 0-2.
Braylon Shmyr finished the day with 3 goals but it’s rookie sensation Kirby Dach leading the way with 4 tallies after the first two scrimmages.
While it can be easy to spot the returning veterans there was one line that had people talking on Sunday; Kalen Szeto, Kyle Crnkovic, and Cal Caragata. All three youngsters were drafted in the Spring but only Crnkovic has celebrated his 15th birthday. Caragata’s birthday is next month while Szeto doesn’t turn 15 until October. Szeto and Crnkovic are easily the smallest players at camp standing at just 5’4″ and 5’6″ respectively, but their speed and skill makes them extremely elusive. Add in the ruggedness of Caragata who already stands at 6’0″ and 188lbs and you’ve got a recipe for one of the most exciting lines of 2002 born players in Western Canada.
As for the big guys, Evan Fiala and Jackson Caller played together and rekindled their chemistry from last season. “We roomed together on the road for the last few weeks of the season last year, so we got to know each other better and it really helps on the ice,” said Fiala who has been enjoying himself, but isn’t happy to be on the team that’s 0-2. Fiala also commented he feels a little more pressure on himself heading into this season knowing it’s his final season of junior and he will be looked to for his leadership.
The final day of camp begins at 9:00am on Monday with Team Clark going up against Team Gulutzan. The 3rd place game goes at 3:00pm and the final game for the Kirkness Cup is set for 3:45pm at SaskTel Centre.
The Saskatoon Blades open the 2017-18 WHL regular season at home on Friday, September 22nd versus the Swift Current Broncos. Game time is 7:00pm at SaskTel Centre.
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