Today’s Gameday Preview: Wednesday February 6th, 2019

DUBNetwork Feature Game of the night: Warriors @ Blades 7 PM CST

In their fourth meeting of the season, these Eastern Division foes look to do battle tonight in Saskatchewan. Kirby Dach and the Saskatoon Blades will face Justin Almeida and the Moose Jaw Warriors in their first meeting of the new year. Last time these teams met on December 8th, a third period comeback effort from Moose Jaw fell short as the Blades topped the Warriors 5-3.

The Moose Jaw Warriors (28-12-6-2) are coming off a loss against the Prince Albert Raiders but have continued to play well down the stretch, only having that one most recent loss in their last five games. Scoring seems to be no trouble for these days, the Warriors have netted a whopping 20 goals in only their last five games. Who has been scoring all these goals you ask?

Justin Almeida, Moose Jaw Warriors.

Look no further than Kitimat, BC-native Justin Almeida, the 19-year-old forward has been red hot over his last five games. Almeida has 11 points in just those five appearances. Last season, Almeida racked up 98 points something that earned the attention of NHL scouts and got him drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the fifth round.

The Saskatoon Blades (30-13-8-0) are trying to stay sharp as they sit in second place in the Eastern Division. Having a tough ride in extra time, the Blades are 6-1-3-0 over their last ten games, last time with game jerseys on the Blades fell in overtime to the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Gary Haden, Saskatoon Blades (Photo: Brandon Harder/Regina Post)

Gary Haden has been flashing off his scoring touch of late, in his last five games alone he’s scoring elite level numbers with 13 points in his last five games. Haden had a rough start to the season but looks to have found a hot hand to add even more depth to an already deep Blades squad.

Expected netminders:

  • Adam Evanoff (MJ) 2.456 GAA, .917 SV%- Has been the winner of his five last starts
  • Nolan Meier (SAS) 2.758 GAA, .908 SV%- Comparatively, has won four of his last five starts.

Other games on deck:

Regina Pats (14-35-1-2) @ Calgary Hitmen (26-19-4-1)

  • The Coral series continues for the Hitmen, Regina coming off a 2-1 win in Lethbridge last night.

Medicine Hat Tigers (28-18-2-2) @ Kootenay Ice (11-32-7-1)

  • The fifth meeting of the season, Medicine Hat leads the series 3-1, Kootenay fresh off a 3-2 win over the Swift Current Broncos.

Spokane Chiefs (26-17-2-4) @ Kelowna Rockets (21-25-4-1)

  • The second meeting of the season between the teams, Kelowna was shutout by a 4-0 score last time the teams met on February 1st.

Vancouver Giants (34-13-2-1) @ Prince George Cougars (16-30-3-2)

  • After a 4-2 Giants win last night, these teams meet for the eighth time on the campaign, Prince George looking for their first win in ten games.

Seattle Thunderbirds (20-24-5-1) @ Victoria Royals (25-21-1-2)

  • Game two of a doubleheader and game three on the season, the T-birds have won both games thus far, last night winning by a 5-3 score.