Some Scoring Plus Solid Goaltending Equals a Blades Victory For First Time in Two Weeks

In hockey’s simplest terms, you have to score goals to win games…something the Saskatoon Blades were finally able to do Friday in a 3-1 triumph over the Rebels in Red Deer.

After surrendering a power play goal to Ben King in the first period, Nolan Maier shut the door in the Bridge City Bunch goal the rest of the way and Trevor Wong (pictured) got the Blue and Gold out of their goal-scoring doldrums. Wong’s tally in the second period not only tied the score at 1-1, but ended the Blades goal-less drought at 170:34. The even strength, 5-on-5 tally was the first Saskatoon marker at even strength in 266:31 and the first 5-on-5 score in 271:41. The tally also ended a 10-game drought for Wong, but the 18-year-old Vancouver product wasn’t done with that. He scored the winning goal 9:37 into the third period and assisted on Kyle Crnkovic’s empty-net insurance marker in the dying seconds. The win ended a three-game losing streak for the Bridge City Bunch, during which they only scored one power play goal. The 12-7-1 Blue and Gold were out-shot 41-22 by the 14-8-1 Rebels as the Blades recorded their fourth consecutive head-to-head triumph over Red Deer. Saskatoon has a quick turnaround as they visit the Calgary Hitmen Saturday afternoon. Game time is 2:30 with CJWW’s broadcast beginning at 2 o’clock. Following is Les Lazaruk’s Post-Game Show interview with head coach Brennan Sonne, plus the game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..

Saskatoon Blades 3 at Red Deer Rebels 1 – Status: Final
Friday, November 26, 2021 – Peavey Mart Centrium – Red Deer, AB

Saskatoon 0 1 2 – 3
Red Deer 1 0 0 – 1

1st Period-1, Red Deer, King 15 (Bains, Uchacz), 4:55 (PP). Penalties-Sidorov Sas (tripping), 3:46; Grubbe Rd (high sticking, high sticking), 19:44.

2nd Period-2, Saskatoon, Wong 4 (Lisowsky, De La Gorgendiere), 6:31. Penalties-De La Gorgendiere Sas (tripping), 3:23; Robins Sas (cross checking), 12:14.

3rd Period-3, Saskatoon, Wong 5 (Crnkovic, Robins), 9:37. 4, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 11 (Wong), 19:51 (EN). Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 9-5-8-22. Red Deer 16-12-13-41.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 2; Red Deer 1 / 3.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 10-5-1-0 (41 shots-40 saves). Red Deer, Ungar 6-2-1-0 (21 shots-19 saves).
A-3,067
Referees-Curtis Johanson (80), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Ty Elliot (162), Chad Huseby (59).