The Blades get their 40th win of the season but it was bigger than just the two points. The win was also important as far as the WHL Bantam draft goes, as the Blades own the Pats first round pick and Regina stayed in 19th place. The worse the Pats do, the better chance the Blades have at expected first overall Bantam Draft pick Matthew Savoie. Blades Head Coach Mitch Love was impressed with what he saw from his squad against the rebuilding Regina Pats.
“The most impressive part for me was, I thought we were ready to play and we were competitive on both sides of the rink.”
A penalty filled first period started this game out. The Pats came out strong and drew a penalty just 44 seconds into the game when 16-year-old Blades defensemen Aiden De La Gorgendiere was called for holding.
Although the power play ended up benefiting the Blades, Kirby Dach poked a loose puck up the Eric Florchuk who went in on a breakaway and put it through the legs of Pats starter Dean McNabb for his 21st goal of the season..
The Blades got out of the Pats power play unscathed but headed right back to the box after some confusion at their bench on a line change and once again the penalty kill held strong. Emil Malysjev was caught up high by Cole Dubinsky and left the game but did return. The Pats took the next six minutes in penalties, but their kill was able to hold.
The Blades hit two posts in the period; one off the stick of Nolan Kneen, the other off the stick of Reece Harsch. With 13 seconds left the Pats got caught in the corner as Chase Wouters was able to find a wide-open Max Gerlach who was able to make a move and put it under the bar for his 38th. The period ended 2-0 Saskatoon.
“That’s the kind of player I want to be, two-way that can play in any situation my coach needs me to be in.” added Florchuk.
The theme of posts and penalties continued into the second period, Gary Haden and Max Gerlach both hit posts in the first five minutes of the frame and Blake Allan of the Pats took a charging penalty. Ryan Hughes extended his seven-game point streak 7:04 into the period.
A Blades three-on-two saw Hughes keep the puck the entire way and out wait McNabb to make it 3-0 for his 27th goal of the season (10th with Saskatoon)
The Blades were then able to make it 4-0. It didn’t count as a power play goal, but Kyle Crnkovic sniped his 11th over the shoulder of McNabb just three seconds after Tyson Feist stepped out of the penalty box.
The Blades were looking to add their third goal of the period but Dean McNabb made what will surely be the WHL play of the week, he slid across and robbed Chase Wouters who had nothing but net to shoot at.
Two minutes later the Blades were able to go in on another three on two and McNabb might just see himself on the top two spots for play of the week as he slid across to rob Crnkovic. The Pats got another power play but weren’t able to generate much and the period ended 4-0 Saskatoon.
“Their goalie was unbelievable, I think if the WHL was going to do their top 10 they would probably take footage from tonights game…. He made 3 or 4 huge saves. And then Nolan (Maier) was really sharp for us.”
McNabb continued his highlight reel game robbing Max Gerlach from the same spot he scored in the first period. This time McNabb who was able to reach back and rob the Texan Sniper. The rest of the period was played like the game was 4-0. Not many chances or physicality other than a Randen Schmidt fight with 34 seconds left. There were a few penalties but this one was already in the bag. Both teams struggled on the power play going a combined 0/16.
The Blades win and the Moose Jaw Warriors loss to Lethbridge now means Saskatoon’s magic number is two. Any combination of Blades wins and Warriors losses that add up to two will mean the Blades clinch second in the WHL’s East Division and secure a home playoff berth.
