It took four tries, but the Saskatoon Blades finally gave their SaskTel Centre fans a win to cheer about!
Nolan Kneen (pictured) scored on a power play with 6:32 remaining in the third period Wednesday as the Bridge City Bunch nipped the Vancouver Giants 2-1 before 2,715 fans. Captain Chase Wouters opened the scoring, also on a man advantage, just 78 seconds into the contest. The Blue and Gold had numerous chances to extend the lead in the first two periods, including a first frame penalty shot attempt by Riley McKay, only to be denied by Vancouver goaltender Trent Miner. The ice seemed to tilt the Giants’ way late in the second period and into the third. Dylan Plouffe tied the score, his shot from the left circle being the only blemish on Nolan Maier’s night in goal for the Blades. Kneen’s winner came off the rush as Saskatoon was 2-for-4 on the power play while killing off all three Vancouver man advantage chances with no shots on goal. The 4-3-1 Bridge City Bunch take a stretch of four consecutive games picking up points in the standings into Brandon Friday. All eight Blue and Gold games have been decided by one goal. The 4-5-0 Giants continue their East Division road trip Friday in Moose Jaw. Following is the official summary from the W-H-L…
Vancouver Giants 1 at Saskatoon Blades 2 – Status: Final
Wednesday, October 9, 2019 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK
Vancouver 0 0 1 – 1
Saskatoon 1 0 1 – 2
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Wouters 2 (Walford, Kneen), 1:18 (PP). Penalties-Plouffe Van (high sticking), 1:09; De La Gorgendiere Sas (slashing), 3:44; Florchuk Sas (hooking), 11:01.
2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Kannok Leipert Van (holding), 2:28; Kneen Sas (tripping), 2:48.
3rd Period-2, Vancouver, Plouffe 1 (Byram, Shepard), 9:00. 3, Saskatoon, Kneen 1 (Crnkovic, Robins), 13:28 (PP). Penalties-Nielsen Van (interference), 1:23; Patrician Van (tripping), 12:49.
Shots on Goal-Vancouver 7-12-12-31. Saskatoon 15-10-6-31.
Power Play Opportunities-Vancouver 0 / 3; Saskatoon 2 / 4.
Goalies-Vancouver, Miner 1-4-0-0 (31 shots-29 saves). Saskatoon, Maier 3-3-0-1 (31 shots-30 saves).
A-2,715
Referees-Brayden Arcand (71), Kyle Kowalski (15).
Linesmen-Brayden Glynn (96), Devan Thiessen (94).
