Kirby Dach proved why he is currently ranked one spot higher over Dylan Cozens in NHL Central Scouting. Over 45 scouts were in attendance on Tuesday in Saskatoon to see the number two ranked Dach, outduel the number three ranked Dylan Cozens. Dach ended the night with five points (to Cozens single point) but isn’t buying into the personal matchup.
“I just think about it as another game, I let my talents and abilities take over and just play my game. I don’t really worry about how he’s doing or what he’s doing on the ice. At the end of the day the results will take care of themselves.”
In the first period, the Lethbridge Hurricanes got out to a very good start getting the first six shots of the game. A pair of WHL Play of the Week worthy saves from Nolan Maier kept the game scoreless but not for long. Max Gerlach took a cross checking penalty in front of the net and on the ensuing powerplay a Jake Leschyshyn (VGK) cross ice pass bounced the Nick Henry (COL) as he potted home his 24th goal of the season as the former Pats put Lethbridge up 1-0. The Blades were quick to reply and get going as Eric Florchuk (WSH) continues his strong play at centre as he blew by a Hurricanes defender and created a rebound for 16-year-old Kyle Crnkovic who got his 10th point in his last 9 games. With 3 seconds left in the period, Lethbridge defensemen Igor Merezhko cross-checked Kirby Dach from behind and the Blades were sent to the powerplay.
The Blades opened up the second period on the powerplay and Ryan Hughes went cross ice to Kirby Dach who missed the initial shot but was able to find Gary Haden in the slot for his 29th goal of the season. The playoff style game continued throughout the period as Calen Addison (PIT) and Riley Mckay took penalties on one another then Jordy Bellerive (PIT) and Dawson Davidson jawed at each other multiple times, the second time Ty Prefontaine stepped in and caught Davidson up high as Saskatoon headed back to the powerplay and it turned out to be déjà vu. Ryan Hughes once again found Kirby Dach cross ice who then found Gary Haden who got the initial shot off and Chase Wouters was able to bang it home for his 15th of the season. It was pretty quiet the rest of the period until Nolan Kneen took an unsportsmanlike penalty with 1:41 left. Saskatoon ended the period with 5 defensemen as Reece Harsch left the game with an injury.
Speaking of déjà vu, the Blades blew another two goal lead in the third period just like Saturday’s game against Kootenay. Jake Elmer took a pass from Dylan Cozens in the slot and turned and fired home his 32nd goal of the season. Just under three minutes later a harmless point shot was dropped by Nolan Maier and Logan Barlage hopped on the loose puck to tie the game. That was short lived though as Kirby Dach was able to force a turnover and Riley Mckay picked up the loose puck and fed it across to Ryan Hughes who blasted it by Carl Tetachuk to make it 4-3 Blades. On the top line’s next shift just two minutes later Hughes returned the favour to send in Mckay on a partial breakaway who then went across to Kirby Dach as he tucked it past a sliding Tetachuk to regain the two goal lead.
“After giving up a goal you want to have a good shift, not necessarily score but it’s always nice when you do.” said Hughes, about his lines ability to have a big shift after giving up a goal.
The Hurricanes were able to get one back as Taylor Ross was able to score off the rush and make it 5-4. Lethbridge pulled Tetachuk and the closest they got was a chance in front which was blocked by Brandon Schuldhaus. Ryan Hughes added an empty netter from his own end to put this one to bed and make the final for the Blades 6-4. Saskatoon Head Coach Mitch Love liked the bounce back after a shaky start.
“We knew Lethbridge was going to come with a bit of a pushback especially from 10 days ago when we beat them in their building. I liked their start and didn’t like ours but we settled in and gave ourselves a 2 goal lead in the third period which we salted away but really good by our group to stick with it and find a away to win that hockey game.”
The Blades picked up some valuable ground in the standings with the Moose Jaw Warriors losing. The Blades are now 10 points clear of the Warriors for 2nd place in the Eastern Division with 7 games to go, 2 of which are against Moose Jaw.
