It was a happy homecoming for Max Gerlach and Gary Haden…as well as for the Saskatoon Blades Friday in Medicine Hat.
Each player scored in their return to the Canalta Centre as the Bridge City Bunch overcame an early deficit to defeat the Tigers 3-1. Twenty-year-old Gerlach, who played two-and-a-half productive seasons with the Bengals before being dealt to Saskatoon at last season’s trade deadline, scored his 13th goal of the season on a late second period power play to tie the score. Haden, picked up by the Blue and Gold in a deal two weeks ago from Medicine Hat for fellow 19-year-old forward Logan Christensen, banged in a Tristen Robins’ rebound 5:31 into the third period for what turned out to be the winning goal.
“I know there was a little more to it for both Haden and Gerlach,” explained Blades’ Associate Coach Ryan Marsh. “They played here. That was a big win for them…certainly happy to get the two points in their old rink.”
Riley McKay added an empty-net marker for the 11-7-2 Bridge City Bunch while Nolan Maier made 35 saves, only allowing Josh Williams to beat him midway through the first period. The Tigers, now 9-8-2 for the season, out-shot the Blue and Gold 36-31.
The Blades finish a quick, but long road trip Saturday night in Cranbrook, B.C. against the Kootenay ICE. “Quick” in terms of only two games in two nights. “Long” because of the distance travelled…Saskatoon to Medicine Hat; Medicine Hat to Cranbrook; Cranbrook back to Saskatoon. Game time Saturday is 8 p.m. with the broadcast on 98-COOL signing on at 7 with the Sardinia Family Restaurant pre-game show. Following is the official summary from the W-H-L…
Saskatoon Blades 3 at Medicine Hat Tigers 1 – Status: Final
Friday, November 9, 2018 – Canalta Centre – Medicine Hat, AB
Saskatoon 0 1 2 – 3
Medicine Hat 1 0 0 – 1
1st Period-1, Medicine Hat, Williams 3 (Nassen, Hamblin), 10:03. Penalties-Clayton Mh (boarding), 2:11; Bafaro Sas (hooking), 11:52.
2nd Period-2, Saskatoon, Gerlach 13 (Davidson, Dach), 17:57 (PP). Penalties-Van Impe Mh (tripping), 17:41.
3rd Period-3, Saskatoon, Haden 5 (Robins), 5:31. 4, Saskatoon, McKay 4 (Robins), 18:28. Penalties-Brown Mh (tripping), 1:39; Gerlach Sas (tripping), 2:57; Hamblin Mh (roughing), 10:11; Paterson Sas (interference), 10:51; Chyzowski Mh (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 18:28.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 7-13-11-31. Medicine Hat 12-15-9-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 1 / 5; Medicine Hat 0 / 3.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 9-5-1-0 (36 shots-35 saves). Medicine Hat, Hollett 5-7-0-0 (31 shots-28 saves).
A-2,834
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Greg Sarauer (68), Matthew Sanders (70).
