 |
| Blades C Josh Paterson (#61) checks Raiders D Zack Hayes. |
Looking to make the WHL playoffs for the first time since
2013, the Blades (31-29-2-1) are tied for the second wildcard berth in the WHL’s
Eastern Conference with the Prince Albert Raiders (27-25-9-2) at 65 points.
Both teams are six points back of the Brandon Wheat Kings (33-25-3-2) for the
first wildcard berth in the Eastern Conference. All three of those teams have
nine game remaining on their respective regular season schedules.
The Memorial Cup hosting Regina Pats (33-25-5-1) sit one
point ahead of the Wheat Kings and seven points ahead of the Blades and Raiders
for third in the WHL’s East Division. The Pats have eight games remaining on
their regular season schedule.
Over the next 16 days, these four clubs could end up
shuffling into various positions.
For the Blades, they are looking to get a big monkey off their
back. They have matched their standings point total from last season, but they
want another big sign to show their rebuild since hosting the Memorial Cup in
2013 is paying off.
 |
| Rookie Nolan Maier has been stellar in goal for the Blades. |
It has taken a lot of work to get to this point.
Last season, the Blades were agonizingly close to a
post-season berth. Entering their fifth last game of the 2016-17 campaign, they
led the Calgary Hitmen by three points for the final playoff berth in the WHL’s
Eastern Conference. The Blades won only one of their final five games and were
knocked out of a playoff position by the Hitmen, who won five of their last six
outings.
The Blades would love to ensure they make good on their
chance this year. They begin their last stretch tonight, when they host the
Lethbridge Hurricanes (31-25-6) at 7 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre.
Saskatoon won’t see Regina down this final stretch. The
Blades will face the Wheat Kings once in Brandon on March 13 and the Raiders in
Prince Albert on March 16 and in Saskatoon March 17.
The Wheat Kings have the toughest final stretch playing the
WHL leading Moose Jaw Warriors (47-13-1-2) four times and the Swift Current Broncos
(45-14-4-1), who sit second overall in the WHL standings, twice.
The Raiders will see the Warriors twice and the Broncos
once. The Pats don’t have any games remaining against the Warriors and finish
the regular season playing the Broncos twice.
The Blades travel to Moose Jaw on Saturday to take on the
Warriors and see the Broncos one last time on March 14 in Swift Current.
 |
| Braylon Shmyr (#23) is enjoying his most productive WHL campaign. |
While there will be lots of chances for the Blades to gain
ground in the standings, they have to take care of their part and win. If they
don’t win, all the scoreboard watching or possible breaks from other results
won’t matter too much.
The Blades do have the roster to make their final sprint a
success. Rookie netminder Nolan Maier, who turned 17-years-old in early January,
has had a stellar first campaign posting a 22-13-0-1 record, a 3.11 goals
against average, a .903 save percentage and two shutouts. He gives the blue and
gold a chance to win night in and night out.
Overage left-winger Braylon Shmyr is set to eclipse 80
points for the first time in his WHL career topping the Blades in scoring with
33 goals and 46 assists. Right-winger Max Gerlach and centre Josh Paterson both
have 27 goals on the campaign and have a high likelihood of hitting the 30-goal
plateau.
 |
| Captain Evan Fiala has anchored the back end for the Blades. |
Sophomore centre Chase Wouters has turned in a breakout
campaign netting 17 goals and 29 assists.
On the back end, the Blades have the personnel capable of
closing out tight games in captain Evan Fiala, Dawson Davidson, Jackson Caller,
Mark Rubinchik, Jake Kustra and Seth Bafaro.
Head coach Dean Brockman and his staff will get their
players the information they need in adjustments to have success.
The Blades have the ability to seize that last playoff spot.
They should relish this moment and just go after it without fear.
The current Blades have a golden chance to leave their mark
by helping the franchise end its post-season drought.
Clark will be in the house for tonight’s
Blades game
The Blades will have a special guest on hand for tonight’s
game who has become a hometown Olympic hero.
Emily Clark will be in attendance at the SaskTel Centre
fresh of helping Canada’s women’s hockey team earn a silver medal at the Winter
Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. The power forward, who was a former star
with the Saskatoon Stars female midget AAA team, was the youngest player on the
Canadian team at age 22 and the only Saskatchewan born player on the Canadian
roster.
During the second intermission, Clark will be signing
autographs at the SportsClips autograph station on the concourse. Posters of
Clark will be provided.
At the Winter Olympics, Clark had a goal in Canada’s
semifinal win over the Olympic Athletes from Russia.
Tonight’s contest is also the Blades “Shaker Night,” and the
team will be raising awareness, funds and food for the Saskatoon Food Bank and
Learning Centre. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the
game as a donation, and if possible, a box of macaroni and cheese.
.@emclark13 stopped by today to visit her pal @Evan_Fiala— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 1, 2018
Did you know Evan & Emily train together in the off-season?
You'll be able to meet Emily tomorrow night at our game! 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/ZAHTg3zVEm
If you have any
comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them
to stankssports@gmail.com.
-------
If you like what you
see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like
this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the
DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.
