By Les Lazaruk
The latest WHL Goaltender-of-the-Week added to his resume Wednesday night in Saskatoon.
Ethan Anders stopped 33 shots for his first career shutout as Red Deer blanked the Saskatoon Blades 2-0.
“It felt really good,” said 17-year-old Regina product Anders about his first WHL goose-egg. “I kind of had some confidence coming in (Wednesday after being named WHL Goaltender-of-the-Week on Monday). The boys played really well in front of me so that was really awesome.”
As it turned out, defenceman Jacob Herauf’s goal just 1:49 into the contest was all the offence the Rebels (14-25-12) would need to extend their streak of earning points in the standings to five games (4-0-1). Josh Tarzwell found the empty Bridge City Bunch net with 67 seconds remaining to secure the decision.
On the other side, the loss stung the Blades (25-24-3) in their pursuit of their first WHL post-season berth since hosting the Memorial Cup in 2013. The Bridge City Bunch remains three points ahead of the idle Prince Albert Raiders while falling four back of Regina after the Pats dumped visiting Prince George 4-1 Wednesday.
“I really don’t know what to say,” said a frustrated and exasperated Blades head coach Dean Brockman. “We talked to the group after a little bit. (We) told them about preparation. Told them about not looking too far ahead. We mentioned all the right things, I think.
“Can’t play the game for them.”
The Blue and Gold out-shot Red Deer 33-26 with Tyler Brown giving the home side a chance to win by making 24 stops. However, the Blades were 0-for-4 on a power play that was the centrepiece of an overall listless effort.
Saskatoon visits Prince Albert Friday night…the first of four remaining head-to-head meetings. Red Deer heads to Moose Jaw for a game also on Friday night.
