For one of the youngest teams in the WHL, the Saskatoon Blades are winning crucial games, and the 2025 WHL Playoffs presented by Nutrien are on the horizon.
The Bridge City Bunch claimed sole possession of first place in the East Division after a 3-1 victory at Westoba Place against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Both clubs were tied for second place before the game with 79 points, one back of the top Prince Albert Raiders. The Blades' weekend home-and-home series against Prince Albert puts destiny in their hands.
NHL draft-eligible forward David Lewandowski scored a pair of goals in the win, extending his point streak to five games (4G, 3A). The Dusseldorf GER winger has 14 goals and 37 points in 50 games.
Blades goalie Evan Gardner continued his incredible run with 33 saves on 34 shots to improve to 23-12-3-1 on the season. The Columbus Blue Jackets prospect has won five straight starts, posting a .963 save percentage, 1.20 goals against average, and two shutouts. The Fort St. John, BC native signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets yesterday.
Lewandowski broke the ice 8:15 into the second period with his 13th goal of the season. The NHL draft-eligible winger extended his point streak to five games with three goals and three assists in that span. Captain Ben Saunderson recorded an assist on the goal, giving him a point in his final regular season game inside his home province. The Carberry, MB native, has an assist in four straight games.
Alternate captain Rowan Calvert gave the Blades a 2-0 lead 7:19 into the final frame with his 24th goal of the season. The Moose Jaw, SK native, threw the puck on the net at a weird angle and beat goalie Carson Bjarnason's five-hole. The tally snapped a three-game goalless skid for the 19-year-old winger, giving him 52 points in 62.
Wheat Kings defenceman Luke Shipley scored his 18th goal of the year just over halfway through the final 20 minutes to bring the Wheat Kings within one. Gardner stood tall, stopping 12 of 13 shots in the third, allowing Lewandowski to pot the empty-netter.
What’s Next?
The Blades conclude the regular season with a weekend home-and-home series against the Prince Albert Raiders. The first is Fan Appreciation Night at SaskTel Centre on Friday, March 21, followed by a road game at the Art Hauser Centre the following night. Puck drop for both games is 7:00 p.m.
