Pats, Blades renew East Division rivalry on Access TV
Saskatoon Blades (10-6-2-0) at Regina Pats (4-12-0-0)
Saturday, November 3 – Brandt Centre 7:00 p.m. (Mountain)
Channels: Access7 SD, Access 70 HD, WHL Live
The Saskatoon Blades and Regina Pats renew acquaintances for the first time in the 2018-19 Western Hockey League Regular Season on Access TV tonight!
Separated by roughly 250 kilometres, the teams from Saskatchewan’s two largest cities always provide for an entertaining matchup when they meet.
Despite the Blades missing the playoffs and the Pats finishing as one of the top teams in the division last season, the tide was already turning to favour the Blades last year. In the eight-game season series between the two clubs, the Blades won five of the matchups, though the Pats won two of the final three meetings to salavage some late-season points against their rivals to the north.
While the division has been dominated by the Prince Albert Raiders, the Blades have been close behind them as well, holding down second place for the majority of the season and recently regaining that spot after a brief time in third. Still, there’s no question the Blades are a team on a mission this season and are poised to make their return to the WHL Playoffs.
2019 NHL Draft prospect Kirby Dach has been better than what most might have expected him to be this season, leading his team in scoring and placing third in the league with 29 points (11G-18A) through his team’s first 18 games. The ‘A’ rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting in their ‘Players to Watch’ List will represent Team WHL at the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Series following Saturday’s performance where he’s hoping to make a strong offensive impact as well.
Posting a strong start as well has been defenceman Dawson Davidson, who will make his second trip back to the Brandt Centre after being traded from the Pats to the Blades at the WHL Trade Deadline last year. Davidson presently sits third in WHL defensive scoring this season, behind only first round NHL Draft selections Ty Smith (New Jersey Devils) and Alexander Alexeyev (Washington Capitals). After Davidson however, it appears to be slim picking on offensive contributions after Davidson, though Brandon Schuldhaus has impressed with with seven points (2G-5A) in 13 games since being acquired from the Warriors.
The drop-off in offence is a similar conundrum for the Pats. The top talent of Nick Henry (Colorado Avalanche), Jake Leschyshyn (Vegas Golden Knights), and Aaron Hyman have kept the Pats going steady. While the Blades are resting comfortably as the third place team in the Eastern Conference, the Pats have some early-season ground to make up already.
The road back to the WHL playoffs isn’t yet insurmountable though. Of the four teams between them and a wild card spot, the Calgary Hitmen, Kootenay ICE, Lethbridge Hurricanes and Moose Jaw Warriors have all gone through their own fair share of early-season defeats. Add in the competitive season series between the Pats and Warriors and things could get might brighter in the short term in the Queen City.
One are the Blades will be looking to expose the Pats on is the penalty kill. With the 20th-ranked power play this season, the Blades have the second-worst man advantage of any team current in the playoff spot. Against the 22nd-ranked penalty kill in the league, the Blades will have an opportunity to succeed and find their rhythm.
What this season series will ultimately boil down to is a look at drafted NHL talent against those soon to be there. How will Dach separate himself from the likes of Leschyshyn and Henry. Can Maier, ranked by NHL Central Scouting this season, win the duel against Max Paddock, who was himself ranked last season and earned some NHL interest at the San Jose Sharks camp in the off-season.
Be sure to catch the two talent-loaded teams as WHL on Access action comes at your Saturday night from the Brandt Centre!
Saskatoon Blades
Record: 10-6-2-0, 22 points – Second in Central Division
Head Coach: Mitch Love
Leading scorers: C Kirby Dach (11-18-29), D Dawson Davidson (4-16-20), RW Max Gerlach (10-9-19)
Leading Goaltender: Nolan Maier (14 GP , 8-5-1-0, 2.96 GAA, 0.905 SV%, 1 SO)
Power play: 20th – 19.5%
Penalty kill: 5th – 81.7%
Injuries/Unavailable: D Seth Bafaro (upper body, day-to-day), D Jake Kustra (lower body, 5-to-7 weeks)
We're in Regina tonight!
📝 https://t.co/4uyqRvSdTg#BladeCity pic.twitter.com/DXAMEDNGqU
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) November 3, 2018
Regina Pats
Record: 4-12-0-0, 8 points – Fifth in East Division
Head Coach: Dave Strutch
Leading scorers: RW Nick Henry (6-15-21), C Jake Leschyshyn (7-10-17) and D Aaron Hyman (4-10-14)
Leading Goaltender: Max Paddock (13 GP, 3-10-0-0, 4.17 GAA, 0.873 SV%)
Power play: 19th – 19.7%
Penalty kill: 22nd – 67.4%
Injuries/Unavailable: F Robbie Holmes (lower body, indefinite), F Koby Morriseau (upper body, indefinite), F Logan Nijhoff (upper body, indefinite)
GAME DAY PREVIEW: Pats continue homestand against Saskatoon Saturday!
Details here: https://t.co/4sYqL6UJt6#JoinTheRegiment pic.twitter.com/hhc1Llfo3r
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) November 3, 2018
Season Series
Nov. 3 – Saskatoon at Regina*
Jan. 4 – Regina at Saskatoon
Jan. 18 – Regina at Saskatoon*
Jan. 19 – Saskatoon at Regina
Feb. 1 – Saskatoon at Regina*
March 1 – Regina at Saskatoon*
* Indicates WHL on Access broadcast
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