The game summary will show that Egor Sidorov (pictured) scored at 2:40 of the overtime period to give the Saskatoon Blades a 3-2 triumph Friday night in Prince Albert, but what can’t be ignored is the goaltending of Nolan Maier, the Bridge City Bunch’s penalty killing and desperate defence and a third successful Blue and Gold challenge for offside that took away a goal by the opposition.
The result ended a three-game winning streak for the Raiders, but the point moved 22-28-4 P-A into a tie with Calgary for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The victory was the third straight for the 32-18-4 Blades and second in three days in extra time after Saskatoon out-lasted Lethbridge 4-3 in overtime back on Wednesday at SaskTel Centre. It was the eighth consecutive game for the Bridge City Bunch putting up points in the standings, 6-0-2 in that time, but with Moose Jaw beating Calgary 5-2, the Blue and Gold remain a point back of the fourth place Warriors in the Eastern Conference. The Blades have two games in hand on Moose Jaw. In addition, their Magic Number to clinch a playoff spot is down to nine points over the Raiders.
Maier stopped 49 of 51 shots for his 26th win of the season and 117th of his W-H-L career, moving him into a tie for fourth place on the all-time list with former Portland puck-stopped Mac Carruth and three back of the record. Saskatoon killed off all six Raiders power play chances, including 59 seconds of 5-on-3 time in the second period and a four-minute boarding penalty to Tristen Robins over the final 2:50 of the third period and the first 1:10 of the overtime. The successful offside challenge came after defenceman Remy Aquilon appeared to give Prince Albert a 3-2 lead with 4:51 remaining in the third period. Blue and Gold video co-ordinator Karter Parisloff immediately indicated to the bench that the Raiders’ entry into the zone 18 seconds earlier was offside and video confirmed that, leaving the game tied and setting up Sidorov’s extra time winner and 16th goal of the season. Vaughn Watterodt and Brandon Lisowsky, on a power play to force O-T, scored for the Blades while Hayden Pakkala had both goals for P-A. The same teams meet Saturday night at SaskTel Centre on Nolan Maier Bobblehead Night. Game time is 7 o’clock with the broadcast on CJWW at 6:30. Following is the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L and Les Lazaruk’s post-game interview with head coach Brennan Sonne…..
Saskatoon Blades 3 (OT) at Prince Albert Raiders 2 – Status: Final OT
Friday, March 11, 2022 – Art Hauser Centre – Prince Albert, SK
Saskatoon 1 0 1 1 – 3
Prince Albert 0 2 0 0 – 2
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Watterodt 6 (Pillar, Schneider), 17:13. Penalties-Pillar Sas (hooking), 12:51.
2nd Period-2, Prince Albert, Pakkala 8 (Sanders), 2:18. 3, Prince Albert, Pakkala 9 (Shilo, Sanders), 11:23. Penalties-Shugrue Sas (tripping), 2:52; Wiesblatt Pa (cross checking), 5:43; Crnkovic Sas (hooking), 11:51; Saunderson Sas (slashing), 12:52.
3rd Period-4, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 31 (Robins, Crnkovic), 7:49 (PP). Penalties-Vitelli Pa (hooking), 6:55; Carson Latimer Pa (interference), 12:30; Robins Sas (boarding, boarding), 17:10.
OT Period-5, Saskatoon, Sidorov 16 (Gronick, De La Gorgendiere), 2:40. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 11-10-10-2-33. Prince Albert 16-17-18-0-51.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 1 / 3; Prince Albert 0 / 6.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 26-15-3-1 (51 shots-49 saves). Prince Albert, Chaika 16-15-2-1 (33 shots-30 saves).
A-2,600
Referees-Brayden Arcand (71), Brody McGrath (73).
Linesmen-Brayden Glynn (96), Tanner McGregor (55).
