Team photographer Steve Hiscock won’t need a gallery to remember the Saskatoon Blades 2-1 victory Friday at SaskTel Centre against the Spokane Chiefs.
The 63-year-old photographer was honoured throughout the game for his 20th season as the club’s photographer. Tributes from past and present players, Steve-themed events spread throughout the night, and a ceremonial puck drop with Hiscock in front of the camera instead of behind it made the night all the more special.
Saskatoon’s snapped a two-game skip thanks to goals from captain Ben Saunderson and Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk. Saunderson netted his first season goal late in the second period to tie the game 1-1. The Carberry, MB product was named the 63rd captain in franchise history on October 1st and leads all Blades defenceman in points with nine (1G, 8A) in seven games. Friday marked Molendyk’s season debut after returning from the Predators earlier this week. The 19-year-old blueliner scored the game-winning goal just over halfway through the third for his first point of the season.
Columbus Blue Jackets prospect Evan Gardner stopped 20-of-21 shots for his second win of the season. The sophomore Blade improved to 2-1-1-0 with a .882 save percentage (SV%) and 3.48 goals-against average.
The Blades hold sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with a 5-1-1-0 record and 11 points.
Saskatoon factored on the scoresheet first but not in the way you’d think. Hometown boy Berkly Catton scored for the Chiefs 3:43 into the second on a man-advantage to make it 1-0. The Seattle Kraken prospect scored a goal and two assists on Dec. 16, 2022, against the Blades at SaskTel Centre in his rookie season, the last time Spokane was in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) alumnus has two goals and five assists in six games this season.
Saskatoon chipped away at the game’s second star Dawson Cowan who made several major stops for the Chiefs throughout the game. The 19-year-old goalie suffered his first loss of the season after allowing two goals on 36 shots. Saunderson got the Blades’ first goal of the night with less than five minutes remaining in the frame. A scramble at the front of Spokane’s crease led to a rebound right onto the tape of Saunderson, tying the game 1-1. The 6-foot-1 defenceman has a goal and two assists in his last two games. The Blades found their stride heading into the final 20 minutes, outshooting the Chiefs 13-5 in the middle frame.
The Bridge City Bunch suffocated the Chiefs in the third, allowing just one shot through the final 20 minutes. Saskatoon added another 13 shots in the third, one being Molendyk’s game-winning goal.
What’s Next?
The Blades begin the second half of their four-game home-stand tomorrow night against the Moose Jaw Warriors. It’s the first meeting between the two Saskatchewan clubs since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final where the Warriors defeated Saskatoon 3-2 in overtime.
