The Saskatoon Blades improved to 7-0-1-0 on home ice this season after a 3-2 victory against the Edmonton Oil Kings Friday at SaskTel Centre.
Blades forward Ben Riche led the way offensively with two goals and an assist in the club’s first game on home soil since October 23 against the Seattle Thunderbirds. Riche leads the Blades in goals (14), assists (16), and points (30) in 19 games. It’s the second straight two-goal game for the 19-year-old centre, giving him five goals in his last four outings.
Sophomore netminder Evan Gardner picked up his eighth win of the season after stopping 28 of 30 shots. The Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick is 8-4-1-0 on the year with a 2.65 goals against average (GAA) and a .914 save percentage.
The victory ties Saskatoon for first place in points amongst the WHL’s Eastern Conference with 26 alongside the Swift Current Broncos. The Blue and Gold improved to 12-5-1-1, six points back of the WHL’s top Everett Silvertips.
Riche scored his first of two goals in the opening frame 9:09 into the contest. The Bethune, SK product one-timed a puck from the slot past the high-glove of Oil Kings goalie Alex Worthington. Riche entered the game leading the Blades in goals, assists, and points, adding to those totals in his 19th game of the season. Captain Ben Saunderson and NHL draft-eligible forward David Lewandowski collected the helpers on the goal.
The speedy winger made it 2-0 Saskatoon just under seven minutes later with his 14th goal of the season. Rookie forward Zach Olsen picked up the secondary assist in his first taste of action since October 25 against the Brandon Wheat Kings, returning from an upper-body injury.
The Oil Kings responded with a pair of goals themselves in the second period. Brothers Lukas and Gracyn Sawchyn connected on Edmonton’s first goal of the night just over halfway through the middle frame. Lukas Sawchyn’s second goal of the season gives him 13 points in 19 games, while his brother has nine goals and 14 assists in 16 outings.
Their teammate Roan Woodward tied the game 2-2 less than four minutes later with goal number seven on the year. The stage was set for an intense finish in the Blades first game home in nearly a month.
Saskatoon regained the lead 6:45 into the third thanks to forward Tyler Parr’s eighth goal of the season. The La Salle, MB product picked the blocker corner perfectly from near the goal line to give him six goals in his last eight games. Parr’s got 19 points in 17 games this season, while Riche picked up his third point of the night with a secondary assist.
Gardner made some crucial saves after the Oil Kings pulled their netminder for the extra attacker, helping the Blades back to the win column after a two-game skid.
What’s Next?
The Blades hit the midway point of their three-game home-stand tomorrow night against the red hot Tri-City Americans.
Puck drop is 7:00 p.m.
