By Les Lazaruk
There is no disputing that the Saskatoon Blades do a great job with pre-game ceremonies. However, the paying customers don’t get the “full meal deal” from the team on the ice afterwards.
An emotional 45-minute salute to former Blades’ captain Bruce Gordon…and the re-introduction of the Pacman logo and jersey…concluded with most of the 7,210 fans in attendance at SaskTel Centre going home disappointed as the Swift Current Broncos scored four unanswered goals in the third period for a 5-2 victory Friday.
Last season, on Gordie Howe Day home opener, the Broncos blanked the Bridge City Bunch 6-0 after Saskatoon had won two nights earlier in Swift Current by a 5-1 tally to start the season.
“We were, that whole period, just a step behind (the Broncos), which was not what you want to see,” said Blue and Gold assistant coach Ryan Keller of the third period letdown. “I don’t know if it was, maybe, the magnitude of the situation overwhelmed a few guys…opening night or what it was…but, that was basically the story of the game.”
Connor Chaulk scored winning goal with 7:39 remaining in the third period after Riley Stotts tied the contest before the third was four minutes old. In the opening 40 minutes, the Blades got goals from Caleb Fantillo and Brad Goethals to give them period leads of 1-0 and 2-1. But, Swift Current out-shot Saskatoon 15-7 in the third period…also getting empty-net goals from Glenn Gawdin and Artyom Minulin. Gawdin, the 20-year-old Broncos captain, also scored in the second period.
Joel Hofer made 23 saves in his W-H-L debut in goal for Swift Current while Ryan Kubic stopped 27 of 30 shots in his first action for the Bridge City Bunch after being acquired from Vancouver on Wednesday.
Pacman Points – The Blades had to sit out six players with their 26-man roster. Defencemen Jantzen Leslie and Payton McIsaac, along with forwards Arjun Atwal and Logan Doust were healthy scratches. Right winger Matt Mosher is day-to-day with an Upper Body injury while 20-year-old centre Cam Hebig sat out the first game of a two-game suspension from the W-H-L.
Saskatoon is off until next Friday when they welcome Medicine Hat to SaskTel Centre. A home-and-home series with the Broncos was not scheduled as Swift Current’s home rink is completing off-season renovations.
Gordon, who was the Blades captain in 1981-82 is undergoing experimental treatment to combat pancreatic cancer. He spent 20 years with the Saskatoon Police Service before being called to the bar in Saskatoon in June.
Among the dignitaries on hand to honour Gordon were former general manager Daryl Lubienecki, former Blades owner Jack Brodsky, present-day Voice of the Winnipeg Jets and former Saskatoon assistant G.M. and radio voice Dennis Beyak…who acted as M.C. for the ceremony…plus former team-mates Brian Skrudland, Todd Streuby, Ron Dreger, Darryl Stanley, Dave Chartier, Roger Kortko, Donn Clark and Gord Paddock.
