The Saskatoon Blades flipped the script on the Red Deer Rebels from their first meeting as the Bridge City Bunch downed the visitors 3-1 Friday.

The Blue and Gold scored on both of their second period power play chances to turn a 1-1 tie after one frame into the final count. They also kept the Rebels’ power play off the scoresheet. Back on October 1 in Red Deer, the home team scored both of their goals on the man advantage and kept Saskatoon’s power play at bay in a 2-1 decision.

Kyle Crnkovic ended an 11-game goal-less drought to break the tie, Eric Florchuk added insurance…his fifth goal in as many games…while Czech defenceman Radek Kucerik scored his first W-H-L goal to opening the scoring in front of 3,330 fans. In addition, Matej Toman picked up an assist on Kucerik’s goal for his first points in his first game as a Blade after being acquired Wednesday from Prince George.

Dallon Melin’s first period tally was the only one of 29 shots to elude Nolan Maier (pictured), who was superb in goal for the Bridge City Bunch…especially in the third period when he stopped all 10 shots, including a point blank attempt by Jaxsen Wiebe.

The Blue and Gold improved their record to 10-7-2 while Red Deer fell to 5-11-2. The Rebels are 1-4-0 on a six-game swing throughout the entire East Division, which wraps up Saturday in Prince Albert. The Blades are 4-0-2 in their last six home games. They will welcome Brandon to SaskTel Centre Saturday at 7 o’clock. The Sardinia Family Restaurant pre-game show starts things off on 98-COOL at 6 p.m. Following is the official game summary from the W-H-L…..

Red Deer Rebels 1 at Saskatoon Blades 3 – Status: Final
Friday, November 8, 2019 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK

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

1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Kucerik 1 (Toman, Wright), 8:03. 2, Red Deer, Melin 2 (Isley), 14:39. Penalties-Melin Rd (checking from behind), 5:26; Florchuk Sas (high sticking), 9:37; Walford Sas (hooking), 16:34; Sakowich Rd (tripping), 16:44.

2nd Period-3, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 5 (Wouters, Walford), 3:06 (PP). 4, Saskatoon, Florchuk 9 (De La Gorgendiere), 7:05 (PP). Penalties-Sexsmith Rd (interference), 2:35; served by Melin Rd (too many men), 6:51.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-McKay Sas (high sticking), 4:34; Davis Rd (roughing), 10:18; Sedoff Rd (hooking), 19:22.

Shots on Goal-Red Deer 13-6-10-29. Saskatoon 7-9-7-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Red Deer 0 / 3; Saskatoon 2 / 6.
Goalies-Red Deer, Fancy 1-3-0-1 (23 shots-20 saves). Saskatoon, Maier 8-6-1-1 (29 shots-28 saves).
A-3,330
Referees-Adam Bloski (16), Bryce Sebastian (64).
Linesmen-Aiden Penner (109), Levi Schutz (110).