On Sunday, the Saskatoon Blades came from behind in the third period to defeat the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-2 at SaskTel Centre.
Rookie forward Zach Olsen tied the game 2-2 for the Bridge City Bunch with 14 minutes remaining in regulation. The Calgary, AB product was named the game's first star after snapping an eight-game goalless drought. The right-handed shot has seven goals and nine assists in 42 games this season, tied for the third-most points amongst Blades rookies alongside defenceman Brayden Klimpke.
Calgary Flames draft pick Hunter Laing scored the game-winner just over halfway through the final frame. The 6-foot-6 winger has four goals in his last five games and eight points in his previous seven games. The former Prince George Cougar has 14 goals and 29 points in 45 games his sophomore season.
2006-born netminder Evan Gardner was named the second star with a 19-save performance en route to victory. The Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick improved his record to 18-12-3-1 on the year.
The Blades picked up all four possible points this weekend after wins against the Warriors and the Wenatchee Wild on Friday. Saskatoon, with 56 points, is two points back of the Prince Albert Raiders for first place in the East Division.
20-year-old defenceman Grayden Siepmann opened the scoring for Saskatoon 8:20 into the first period. The veteran blueliner’s sixth goal of the year gives him 35 points in 47 games this season. Alternate captain Tyler Parr collected the primary assist on the goal, giving him two goals and five assists on his four-game point streak.
Warriors forward Riley Thorpe tied the game less than four minutes later with his fourth goal of the season. The Blades outshot Moose Jaw 13-7 after 20 minutes.
Moose Jaw forward Pavel McKenzie was the lone scorer in the second period. The Cumberland House, SK native put the Warriors ahead 2-1 after 40 minutes with his 12th goal of the season.
Olsen tied the game 2-2 six minutes into the third. The Blades’ first selection of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft snapped an eight-game goalless drought with his seventh of the season. Linemate Kazden Mathies picked up his first point as a Blade after being acquired from the Seattle Thunderbirds before the trade deadline with the assist.
Laing put the Blades in front 3-2 with just under nine minutes left in regulation. As the Warriors pressed late in the game 6-on-5 with the goalie pulled, Gardner made several key stops to secure Saskatoon’s 3-2 win.
What’s Next?
On Friday, the Blades venture to Brandon, MB, for a tilt at Westoba Place against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Puck drop is 7:00 p.m.
