Brutal break does in Blades

Rockets rally for 3-2 win after tiebreaking shootout

It proved to be the perfect time for Poke Check to take a nap.

On Wednesday night at the SaskTel Centre, the Saskatoon Blades mascot found time to catch some sleep during a lengthy video review with 1:58 remaining in the third period in a WHL regular season contest between the host Blades and the visiting Kelowna Rockets. While the antics of the Blades mascot created some laughs, the outcome of the video review would ultimately not favour the home side.

With the Blades holding a 2-1 lead, the officials were trying to determine if the Rockets had scored the equalizer during a mad scramble around the Saskatoon net, where the play was blown dead after the goal was dislodged. The officials were trying to determine if the puck crossed the goal-line before the net came off its posts.

Eventually, the video review determined the puck had just gone into the Saskatoon net before the net itself came fully off its posts resulting in a good goal. Rockets offensive-defenceman Will Sharpe was given credit for scoring the equalizer.

Most at the SaskTel Centre among the paid attendance of 2,514 spectators rained down boos. Due to a blizzard happening in Saskatoon on Wednesday, a lot of the ticket buyers understandably no-showed for the contest.

The teams advanced into overtime locked in a 2-2 tie. Late in the overtime period, Blades 18-year-old defenceman Brayden Klimpke found himself alone on a breakaway, but he missed the net with his shot. A short time later, Rockets breakout star 18-year-old rookie netminder Harrison Boettiger made a huge left pad save off Blades 17-year-old right-winger Zach Olsen to force the contest to go to a tiebreaking shootout.

The Blades had dominated the three-on-three overtime session holding a 6-1 edge in shots on goal.

In the tiebreaking shootout, Rockets star 20-year-old centre Shane Smith scored the only goal by snapping a shot past Blades star netminder 19-year-old netminder Evan Gardner in the third round. Smith’s goal gave the Rockets a 1-0 victory in the tiebreaking session and a 3-2 overall win in the contest.

Boettiger proved to be a huge reason for the fact the Rockets, who will host the CHL championship tournament – the Memorial Cup – this coming May, pulled out the road triumph. He made 40 saves over the first 65 minutes of play and turned away all three shooters he faced in the shootout.

The Rockets improved to 16-11-3-1 with the win. They travel to Prince Albert on Friday to face the Raiders (22-5-4) at 7 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre. That will be the last game for both clubs before they head out on their respective Christmas breaks.

Gardner also had a huge night in getting saddled with the tough luck extra time setback. He made 33 saves over 65 minutes of play and stopped two-of-three shooters in the shootout.

With the extra time setback, the Blades record moved to 17-14-2-1.They now head off on their Christmas break. The Blades return to action on Saturday, December 27, for their Teddy Bear Toss Game hosting the Regina Pats (11-17-2-1) at 7 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre.

In Wednesday’s clash, the Rockets got on the scoreboard first on a goal from 18-year-old left-winger Levi Benson at the 8:37 mark of the opening frame.

Just over six minutes later, Blades standout 18-year-old centre Hayden Harsanyi evened things up at 1-1. Harsanyi proceeded to net his second of the contest and 10^th goal of the campaign with 3:59 remaining in the second period to give the Blades their 2-1 edge.

That set the stage dramatics in the third period, overtime and the shootout.

Overall, the fans that made it to the SaskTel Centre saw a really compelling game. One tough break for the home side and a great development for the visitors on a late third period video review turned out to be the difference in the contest.

Pats get puck luck in 5-4 win over Raiders

The Regina Pats puck luck around the net helped bring an end to the Prince Albert Raiders five game winning streak.

Playing before 2,576 spectators at the Brandt Centre on Wednesday night, the host Pats slipped past the visiting Raiders 5-4 despite the fact the Raiders had a 38-23 edge in shots on goal. Pats 19-year-old netminder Marek Schlenker had a big night making 34 saves in the win as Regina improved to 11-17-2-1. Raiders 19-year-old netminder Dimitri Fortin turned away 18 shots as Prince Albert fell to 22-5-4.

The Raiders, who are rated third in the CHL’s Top 10 Rankings, opened the game’s scoring at the 5:52 mark of the first period, when 18-year-old left-winger Oli Chenier put a between the legs shot to the top corner of the Regina net.

With 41.8 seconds remaining in the first, Pats 17-year-old right-winger Zachary Lansard fired home the equalizer that evened the score at 1-1. The two sides exited the opening 20 minutes locked in that 1-1 tie with the Raiders holding a 12-4 edge in shots on goal.

Raiders star offensive-defenceman Daxon Rudolph fired home a power-play goal just 1:33 into the second to put the visitors back in front 2-1. Before the second ended, the Pats received a power-play goal from Lansard and an even-strength tally from 20-year-old right-winger Caden Brown to head into the second intermission holding a 3-2 lead.

At the 4:50 mark of the third, Raiders 16-year-old rookie left-winger Connor Howe netted his second goal of the season to force a 3-3 tie.

The Pats responded getting an even-strength goal from captain Ephram McNutt and a power-play tally from 19-year-old centre Ellis Mieyette to jump ahead 5-3.

With 72 seconds remaining in the third, Raiders star 20-year-old captain Justice Christensen fired home his seventh of the campaign to trim the Regina lead to 5-4. The Raiders weren’t able to find another tally to force overtime.

Pats 18-year-old left-winger Connor Bear received a double minor for high-sticking with 4:30 remaining in the third, and Raiders 18-year-old rookie left-winger Owen Corkish was tabbed for a double minor for high-sticking with 3:34 remaining in the third. Both infractions will be automatically reviewed by the WHL office for a possible suspension.

The Pats now head out on their Christmas break. They return to action on Saturday, December 27, when they travel to Saskatoon to face the 17-14-2-1 Blades (7 p.m., SaskTel Centre).

The Raiders return home to host the Kelowna Rockets (16-11-3-1) on Friday (7 p.m., Art Hauser Centre).

Tigers run winning streak to 10, other notes

The Medicine Hat Tigers are heading into their WHL Christmas break on fire.

On Wednesday playing before 3,006 spectators at Co-op Place, the Tigers won their 10^th straight game downing the Brandon Wheat Kings 7-3. The Tigers win ends a seven game winning streak the Wheat Kings had been on.

Brandon scored the first goal in Wednesday’s clash coming off the stick of 17-year-old star centre Jaxon Jacobson just past the midway point of the opening frame. The Tigers pulled even at 1-1 just under two minutes later on a goal from 17-year-old rookie left-winger Noah Davidson.

Just 1:58 into the second period, 20-year-old centre Nicholas Johnson scored for the Wheat Kings to give them a 2-1 advantage.

The Tigers responded scoring three straight goals coming off the sticks of Kyle Heger, Liam Ruck and Ethan Neutens to take a 4-2 advantage at the 10:28 mark of the second.

Before the second ended, Wheat Kings 19-year-old centre Carter Klippenstein netted his 10^th goal of the season to cut the Tigers lead to 4-3.

Medicine Hat proceeded to cruise to victory in the third scoring three times to round out the 7-3 final score. Captain Bryce Pickford, Tyson Moss and Jonas Woo all netted singles for the Tigers. Pickford’s tally was his 25^th goal of the campaign, while Woo has a career-high 16 tallies on the season.

Carter Casey made 22 stops to pick up the win in goal for the Tigers, who are rated ninth in the CHL’s Top 10 Rankings. The Tigers improved to 22-6-3-2 to jump into first overall in the WHL’s Eastern Conference by sitting one standings point ahead of the Prince Albert Raiders (22-5-4). The Raiders have two games in hand on the Tigers.

Jayden Kraus turned away 32 shots to take the setback in net for the Wheat Kings.

At the 7:15 mark of the second period, Wheat Kings 19-year-old rookie defenceman Max Lavoie took on Davidson in a fight.

The Tigers return to action on Saturday, December 27, when they travel to Lethbridge to face the 11-22-0-1 Hurricanes (6 p.m. local time, VisitLethbridge.com Arena).

The Wheat Kings get back at it on Friday when they travel to Calgary to take on the 17-9-3-1 Hitmen (1 p.m. local time, Scotiabank Saddledome).

• In Calgary, import centre Andrei Molgachev collected four assists as the host Hitmen hammered the visiting Swift Current Broncos 9-2 on Wednesday. Caine Wilke, Kale Dach and Julien Maze all had two-goal nights for the Hitmen.
• In Kamloops, 18-year-old right-winger Savin Virk had the overtime winner, an assist and was a plus-two in the plus-minus department as his visiting Tri-City Americans edged the host Blazers 4-3. The Blazers held a 3-1 lead, but the Americans rolled off the last three goals of the contest to pull off the comeback.
• In Everett, 16-year-old star sophomore defenceman Landon DuPont had the winning goal, one assists and was a plus-two as his host Silvertips slipped past the visiting Wenatchee Wild 3-2. The Silvertips have won six straight and lead the WHL’s overall standings with a 26-3-2-1 mark. The Silvertips are rated first in the CHL’s Top 10 Rankings.
• In Penticton, 20-year-old right-winger Brady Birnie netted a hat trick by scoring the final three goals to allow his Vees to down the visiting Prince George Cougars 5-2. The Vees now sport a 16-9-4-3 record in their first WHL season after moving up from the junior A ranks.
• On December 9, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature on 16-year-old flag football star Adley Tomlenovich. In the piece, Tomlenovich talks about her journey in the sport as a quarterback. She also took up being the head coach for a Grade 6 female squad that plays in the 5 on 5 NFL Youth Flag Football circuit overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football. The piece on Tomlenovich can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that is anchored by images of the Saskatoon Hilltops winning their 24^th CJFL championship. That post can be found by clicking right here.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Online noise around Blades’ “Pride Night” game just noise

Contest was ultimately just a good night at rink

A Saskatoon Blades “Pride Night” T-shirt.

For some social media trolls, the fact the Saskatoon Blades had a “Pride Night” game for a third straight season was a sign that the Apocalypse is upon us.

When it came to the reality at the rink, it was just a good hockey game night.

On Friday, the Blades partnered with Discover Saskatoon to hold their “Pride Night” game for a third straight season when they faced the Red Deer Rebels in a WHL regular season contest. The Blades use the game to honour the LGBTQ+ community.

Saskatoon’s WHL squad collaborates with local inclusion groups and organizations in planning what will go on in those particular nights.

While about two or three trolls between the Blades social media Facebook and Instagram accounts said no one would show up and there would be a protest, a total of 3,758 spectators turned out to the SaskTel Centre on Friday and there were no protests.

Those that showed up saw the Blades prevail 4-2 in an entertaining contest on the strength of import star right-winger Egor Sidorov recording a hat trick and an assist. The 19-year-old, who is in this third season in the WHL, had the big night with his parents in attendance flying over from Belarus to watch him play a live WHL game for the first time.

Overall, that contest felt like a regular night at a Blades WHL home game where a tip of the cap was given to LGBTQ+ community. In the grand scheme of things, that is what you want to get out of a “Pride Night” game.

Helen Thunderchild sings the national anthem on Friday night.

The first two times the Blades held a “Pride Night” game a tonne of the comments that appeared on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram posts promoting that contest were downright horrible to read. On Twitter, anonymous accounts often made cringe worthy comments.

On January 22, 2022, the Blades held their first “Pride Night” game where they dumped the Winnipeg Ice 7-2. Just two days later, Emilie Castonguay was hired as an assistant general manager by the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.

I found a Twitter, which is now known as “X,” account state something unflattering about the Blades “Pride Night” post. That account had just over 100 followers and was based in Alberta, which fed into some bad stereotypes there that Saskatchewan seems to share.

After the announcement came out that the Canucks hired Castonguay, that same account wrote a comment that all women and just men in same sex relationships have no place in hockey. I was stunned that someone would write those exact words out, but with how crazy the state of the world is, maybe I shouldn’t have been that stunned.

Cringe worthy comments hit the Blades social media accounts the second time they hosted a “Pride Night” game in the 2022-23 campaign. Leading up to the Blades third “Pride Night” game on Friday, I only saw a handful of awful comments on “X,” and those comments again came from anonymous accounts.

The OUTSaskatoon booth at the Blades’ “Pride Night” game.

Horrible comments were made more on the Facebook and Instagram posts the Blades made about the “Pride Night” game. 

From what I could gather, it seemed there were about six total accounts making all those comments on the Blades Facebook and Instagram posts about the “Pride Night” game.

All of those accounts appeared to be connected to real actual people, and it looked like five of them were indeed from Saskatoon and the area surrounding Saskatoon. 

Those accounts were a step up in the fact those people let their actual names stand by what they were saying.

If you really want to know who those people are, feel free to scroll through the posts the Blades made on their Facebook and Instagram accounts on their “Pride Night” game. In the grand scheme of things, that was a small group of people attempting to make a big bark.

At the game itself, Saskatoon Pride and OUTSaskatoon both had booths set up in the concourse. A chuck a puck contest was being held for a Blades “Pride” themed jersey from their first “Pride Night.”

The Saskatoon Pride booth at the Blades’ “Pride Night” game.

Some of fans came to the game wearing the Blades “Pride” themed game worn jerseys they won on online auctions from the first two “Pride Nights.”

The Blades logo on their video scoreboard was rainbow coloured, and Helen Thunderchild, who has done a lot of work helping the LGBTQ+ community, sang the national anthem.

Blades mascot Poke Check had a “Go Blades” sign that was rainbow coloured and rainbow coloured tape ran up the handles of the push scrapers the Blades Blue Crew used to scrape the ice during media timeout stoppages.

The Blades players had “Pride Tape” on their sticks during warm-ups. They didn’t wear any “Pride” themed jerseys on this night or have “Pride Tape” on their sticks come game time. They sported their regular attire that goes with their white uniforms.

During the second intermission, a video piece was shown on Luke Prokop, who was first person to play in the WHL having come out as openly gay. Prokop is currently playing professionally for the Atlanta Gladiators of the ECHL.

Poke Check with rainbow colour lettering in his signs.

While it would have been fun for the Blades to have “Pride” themed jerseys again as the ones they wore for their first two “Pride Night” games were outstanding, their “Pride Night” game on Friday had a good feeling to it in the building.

I should note once again the Blades collaborate with local inclusion groups and organizations in planning what will go on in those particular nights. When you are in the SaskTel Centre for one of the Blades “Pride Night” games, it feels like hockey is for all.

The Blades are genuine in following the belief that hockey is for all, and it great they continue to keep going with their “Pride Night” games.

Tastad nets winner for Blades, other notes

Morgan Tastad had a goal and an assist for the Blades on Saturday.

Rookie defenceman Morgan Tastad couldn’t have found a better time to pick up his first career WHL goal.

On Saturday with his Saskatoon Blades locked in a 3-3 tie with the Warriors at the Moose Jaw Events Centre in Moose Jaw, Tastad fired home the first goal of his WHL career with 4:07 remaining in the third period to give the Blades a 4-3 lead. The score held up as the final outcome to the disappointment of most of the 3,313 spectators in attendance.

On top of netting the winning goal, the 17-year-old Tastad, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 188 pounds, picked up his first career WHL point with an assist on a goal from 16-year-old rookie right-winger Hudson Kibblewhite, who scored at the 2:16 mark of the first period. Kibblewhite’s goal opened the scoring in the contest.

In 25 games this season for the Blades, Tastad has one goal, one assist and a minus-one rating in the plus-minus department.

Right before the opening frame ended, defenceman Kalem Parker potted a goal for the Warriors to even the score at 1-1. Warriors star 19-year-old centre Jagger Firkus tallied with 4:24 remaining in the second to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

Star centre Fraser Minten and standout left-winger Easton Armstrong scored early in the third to give the Blades a 3-2 advantage. Warriors star 20-year-old centre Atley Calvert tallied with 7:54 remaining in the third to even the score at 3-3. That set the stage for Tastad to come through with the winner.

Blades star 20-year-old captain Trevor Wong and star import right-winger Egor Sidorov each had a pair of assists in the win. Calvert had an assist to go with his goal in the setback for the Warriors.

Evan Gardner made 30 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Blades (21-8-1). The Blades have won their last five straight. Jackson Unger turned away 22 shots to take the setback in net for the Warriors (17-12-0-2).

The Blades return to action on Sunday when they host the Calgary Hitmen (4 p.m., SaskTel Centre).

The Warriors get back at it on Tuesday when they host the Kelowna Rockets (7 p.m., Moose Jaw Events Centre).

• The Prince Albert Raiders dropped a 2-1 decision to the visiting Red Deer Rebels at the Art Hauser Centre on Saturday night. Zane Saab and Talon Brigley scored for the Rebels, while Sloan Stanick replied for the Raiders. Chase Wutzke made 35 saves in goal for the Rebels, while Max Hildebrand stopped 27 shots in net for the Raiders.
• The Medicine Hat Tigers slipped past the host Edmonton Oil Kings 3-2 on Saturday night at Rogers Place. Cayden Lindstrom, Josh Van Mulligen and Tomas Mrsic scored for the Tigers, while Gavin Hodnett and Roan Woodward replied for the Oil Kings. Zach Zahara stopped 31 shots in goal for the Tigers, while Kolby Hay turned away 41 shots in net for the Oil Kings.
• The Swift Current Broncos downed the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes 3-1 at the InnovationPlex on Saturday night. Luke Mistelbacher scored twice for the Broncos, while Connor Hvidston had a single into an empty net. Logan Wormald replied for the Hurricanes. Matthew Kieper stopped 21 shots in goal for the Broncos. Brady Smith turned away 22-of-24 shots in net for the Hurricanes.
• The Kelowna Rockets got past the host Regina Pats 5-4 at the Brandt Centre on Saturday night. Hiroki Gojsic and Tij Iginla each scored twice for the Rockets, while Gabriel Szturc had a single. Parker Berge had a hat trick for the Pats, who had a single from Borya Valis. Jari Kykkanen stopped 28 shots in goal for the Rockets. Ewan Huet turned away 18 shots in net for the Pats.
• On Saturday, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a piece catching up with longtime softball coach Noreen Murphy, who entered the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame as a builder on September 23. The piece on Murphy can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that shows the fun that can be found at the Indoor Training Centre and shows pictures from an exciting football championship game. That post can be found by clicking right here.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Blades’ Chadwick puts WHL leading Ice on ice

Blades G Ethan Chadwick (#33) stops Ice C Zach Ostapchuk (#20).

After stealing 3-2 a victory against the visiting and WHL leading Winnipeg Ice, Saskatoon Blades hometown netminder Ethan Chadwick made certain to show the team’s mascot some love.

On Saturday at the SaskTel Centre, Chadwick stopped 34 shots including multiple quality scoring chances to allow the Blades to escape a WHL regular season clash against the Ice with a victory. After being mobbed by his teammates after the win, Chadwick came out of that celebration and immediately skated over to give Blades mascot Poke Check a big hug.

Chadwick’s superhuman performance came at a big time for the Blades, who were short staffed having been bitten hard by the injury bug. The Blades took the ice on Saturday with 17 skaters, which is one short of the full complement of 18.

Ethan Chadwick (#33) hugs Blades mascot Poke Check.

The injury list included netminder Austin Elliott and centres Jayden Wiens and Josh Pillar due to lower body injuries. Also out were wingers Tyler Parr, Conner Roulette and Justin Lies with upper body injuries, while overage defenceman Blake Gustafson was out due to illness.

The Blades dressed associate player call up Evan Gardner as the backup netminder. The 16-year-old Gardner has been playing with the Rink Hockey Academy’s under-18 team in Kelowna, B.C.

The 4,405 spectators in attendance at the SaskTel Centre seemed aware of the Blades manpower situation. When time expired in the third period, the fans gave the Blades a rousing and warm ovation.

Ethan Chadwick makes one of his 34 saves on Saturday.

Chadwick put the exclamation point on the win with his play specifically in the third period. The two sides entered the third period locked in a 2-2 draw as a prelude to the excitement to come.

At the 3:21 mark of the third, Blades standout left-winger Jake Chiasson fired home a shot from the left faceoff dot in the Winnipeg zone to give the host side a 3-2 lead. Chadwick ensured that score held up as the final outcome of the contest.

During the final three minutes of the third, Chadwick at times looked like Hockey Hall of Fame netminder Dominik Hasek with the way he was maneuvering in his net doing everything possible to keep the puck out of the Saskatoon goal.

Ethan Chadwick, left, covers the puck while getting a snow shower.

Overall, Chadwick’s play proved key throughout the contest in giving the Blades a chance to win.

The Ice drew first blood just 3:17 into Saturday’s game off a deflection tally from overage right-winger Connor McClennon. McClennon tipped home a point shot from 19-year-old veteran defenceman Graham Sward to allow the visitors to take a 1-0 lead.

Ice 17-year-old rookie defenceman Ashton Cumby picked up a secondary assist on the play for his first career point in the WHL.

The Blades skaters help Ethan Chadwick (#33) defend the team’s net.

The Ice brought a tonne of pressure in the opening 20 minutes holding a 14-5 edge in shots on goal, but they weren’t able to increase their 1-0 advantage as Chadwick slammed the door in front of the Saskatoon net.

The Blades battled back with some push back in the second. They were able to get the puck deep into the offensive zone on a frequent basis and were more aggressive on their forecheck causing the Ice to spend frequent periods pinned in their own zone.

Jake Chiasson scored the winner for the Blades on Saturday.

With 7:41 remaining in the frame, the Blades went on the power play with a two-man advantage for two minutes due to Ice defenceman Karter Prosofsky taking a hooking penalty and McClennon being assessed a boarding infraction.

The host side tallied 50 seconds into the two-man advantage evening the score at 1-1, when star left-winger Brandon Lisowsky one-timed home a shot from the right slot for his 26^th goal of the season. Blades star centre Trevor Wong fed a beauty pass to Lisowsky allowing the Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Entry Draft selection to score for Saskatoon.

Just 67 seconds later with the Blades still working on the power play, Blades star import right-winger Egor Sidorov broke in on the Winnipeg goal on a two-on-one break. He fired a shot that Ice netminder Daniel Hauser got a piece of but the puck trickled into the net to give the Blades a 2-1 advantage.

Connor McClennon, right, scored twice for the Ice on Saturday.

With 4:31 remaining in the second, the Ice found themselves having a two-man advantage after the Blades ran into some penalty trouble. Just 20 seconds after Blades 20-year-old captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere was given an interference minor, his standout defensive partner Tanner Molendyk, who turned 18-years-old on Friday, cleared the puck over the glass and was given a delay of game infraction.

Just 23 seconds into the five-on-three power play, McClennon one-timed a laser beam shot from the point for his second goal of the contest and 30^th tally of the season to even the score at 2-2. Star left-winger Zach Benson fed a great pass to McClennon for the one-timer. The Ice weren’t able to capitalize on their remaining power-play time.

Brandon Lisowsky scored the Blades first goal on Saturday.

That set the stage for Chiasson to score the winner early in the third and Chadwick to come through with heroics to allow the Blades to pull out victory.

With the win, the Blades improved to 31-12-3-1 to move one point ahead of the 31-16-0-3 Moose Jaw Warriors for third overall in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. Saskatoon has three games in hand on Moose Jaw.

Hauser turned away 21 shots to take the setback in net for the Ice, who are rated second in the CHL Top 10 rankings. The Ice fell to 37-7-1, but they still sit first in the WHL’s overall standings.

The Ice were also playing short-handed taking the ice with 17 skaters. Defenceman Wyatt Wilson was out with a lower body injury, right-winger Easton Armstrong was injured in the Ice’s 7-6 overtime victory over the Wheat Kings in Brandon on Friday and 20-year-old left-winger Owen Pederson was out due to illness.

The Blades celebrate their win on Saturday.

Pederson’s absence was a big one, because he is one of the star players on the Ice. He has 21 goals and 33 assists in 43 games with the Ice this season.

With that noted, the Ice still had numerous high end players to lean on in McClennon, Benson, Matthew Savoie, Conor Geekie, Zach Ostapchuk, Ben Zloty and captain Carson Lambos.

Outmatched on paper, the Blades were still able to gut out the win and claimed two of the six head-to-head regular season meetings with the Ice in the current campaign.

The Blades return to action on Sunday when they host the 19-21-7 Brandon Wheat Kings (4 p.m., SaskTel Centre).

Ethan Chadwick flips a souvenir stick to the fans.

The Ice get back at it on Wednesday when they return home to host the Calgary Hitmen (7 p.m. local time, Wayne Fleming Arena).

If Chadwick can keep repeating Saturday’s stellar performance, he will buy the Blades time to return players back to action from the injury to help the team’s depth for the stretch run leading to the post-season.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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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.