The Saskatoon Blades' impressive streak on home ice ended Sunday at SaskTel Centre in a 4-2 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Blades's final game before the Christmas break marked the first time the Blue and Gold have lost in regulation on home soil since March 1, 2024. Saskatoon sits in first place in the East Division with a 17-10-2-2 record.
Sunday’s defeat also marked goalie Evan Gardner’s first career regulation loss at home. In Gardner’s entire career, including playoffs, the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect is 29-1-4-0 at SaskTel Centre. The Fort St. John, BC product sits 13-7-2-0 this season, entering the Christmas break.
Fifth-year Blade Brandon Lisowsky scored both goals for the Bridge City Bunch in the loss, moving him into sole possession of sixth place on the Blades’ all-time goal-scoring list. The 5-foot-9 winger moved past alumnus Josh Nicholls with career goals 138 and 139. Lisowsky extended his point streak to nine games, collecting eight goals and seven assists in that stretch.
Brandon forward Matteo Michel capitalized on a Blades turnover in Saskatoon’s zone and beat Gardner's high blocker to make it 1-0 1:51 into the game. The Colleyville, TX native has 12 goals and 26 points in 28 games this season.
Wheat Kings forward Nicholas Johnson made it 2-0 just under ten minutes later with his eighth goal of the year. The 6-foot-2 winger has 17 points in 13 games this year and put the Wheat Kings up a pair after 20 minutes of play.
Lisowsky brought the Blades within one just under halfway through the game with his 17th goal. The 20-year-old sniper buried a pass on a 2-on-1 courtesy of linemate Ben Riche.
Lisowsky tied the game for Saskatoon 8:37 into the third with his fifth powerplay goal of the season. The left-handed shot’s 18th goal of the year moved him into sole possession of sixth all-time on the franchise’s goal-scoring list.
Wheat Kingers overager Luke Shipley scored back-to-back goals in the final six minutes of the third, including an empty netter, to lift the Wheat Kings to a 4-2 win.
What’s Next?
The Blades enjoy 11 days away from the rink for the Christmas break. Saskatoon’s back in action Friday, Dec. 27, at SaskTel Centre for their annual Teddy Bear Toss game against the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Puck drop is 7:00 p.m.
