The Saskatoon Blades reclaimed their spot atop the WHL’s Eastern Conference after a 2-1 victory Saturday at SaskTel Centre against the Tri-City Americans.
Blades netminder Evan Gardner was near unbeatable between the pipes, stopping 33 of 34 shots. The Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick was named the game’s first star as he improved to 9-4-1-0 with a 2.53 goals against average (GAA) and .919 save percentage (SV%).
2006-born forward Willy James was the hero for Saskatoon in the third period, scoring the game-winner with just over five minutes remaining in regulation. The Calgary, AB’s clutch goal snapped a 12-game pointless drought for the NHL draft-eligible winger. James has four goals and four assists in 18 games.
The Bridge City Bunch remain dominant on home ice with an 8-0-1-0 record. The Blades’ 13-5-1-1 start puts them in first place in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the second-place Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Rookie forward Cooper Williams broke the ice with 2:37 left in the first period to make it 1-0 Saskatoon. The 2008-born forward snapped a four-game pointless drought, with the assists going to fellow rookies David Lewandowski and Zach Olsen. Williams has six goals and 12 assists in 20 games this season, tying him for second in WHL rookie scoring. The Blades headed into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead despite being outshot 14-10.
Americans forward Jake Gudelj tied the game 1-1 3:06 into the second with his ninth goal of the season. The Vancouver, BC product has 17 points (9G, 8A) in 18 games this season.
Goaltenders duelled all night between Gardner and Americans backstop Lukas Matecha. Each netminder traded key saves to keep it a tie game, but James found the icebreaker as time dwindled in the third. The sophomore Blade stripped an American defender of the puck in the slot and fired home the go-ahead goal through traffic. The Blades chewed away the remainder of the clock to hold out for their sixth straight win against the Americans.
What’s Next?
The Blades welcome the projected first overall pick of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Gavin McKenna, and the Medicine Hat Tigers to town on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Puck drop is 7:00 p.m.
