They scored first and held a lead, both for the first time in the best-of-seven W-H-L Eastern Conference semi-final. But, one goal wasn’t enough for the Saskatoon Blades in a 3-1 setback Tuesday night to the Rebels in Red Deer.
The result means the Bridge City Bunch trail 3-0 in the series with a do-or-die, backs against the wall Game 4 set for Wednesday in Red Deer. Trevor Wong gave the Blue and Gold a 1-0 lead early in the second period after the first period was scoreless for the third time in as many games in the set. However, that advantage lasted less than five minutes and turned out to be the only goal Kyle Kelsey would surrender in goal for the Rebels. They got goals from Frantisek Formanek, Dwayne Jean Jr. and Kalan Lind, the last tally into an empty Blades’ net. Saskatoon was out-shot 26-23 and went 0-for-2 on the power play while killing off all three Red Deer man advantages. CJWW has the broadcast of Game 4 Wednesday, beginning with the Pre-Game Show at 6:45 and the play-by-play at 7 o’clock. Following is the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L, audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast and Les Lazaruk’s Post-Game Show interview with head coach Brennan Sonne…..
Saskatoon Blades 1 at Red Deer Rebels 3 – Status: Final
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – Peavey Mart Centrium – Red Deer, AB
Saskatoon 0 1 0 – 1
Red Deer 0 2 1 – 3
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Watterodt Sas (checking from behind), 0:56; Watterodt Sas (kneeing), 17:17.
2nd Period-1, Saskatoon, Wong 4 (Lisowsky, Molendyk), 5:04. 2, Red Deer, Formanek 3 (Sedoff), 9:46. 3, Red Deer, Jean Jr. 1 (Carson Birnie, Mayo), 16:25. Penalties-Lind Rd (tripping), 13:11.
3rd Period-4, Red Deer, Lind 2 19:14 (EN). Penalties-Grubbe Rd (high sticking), 3:48; Sidorov Sas (high sticking), 11:46.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 7-6-10-23. Red Deer 8-7-11-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 2; Red Deer 0 / 3.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Elliott (25 shots-23 saves). Red Deer, Kelsey (23 shots-22 saves).
A-4,654
Referees-Kyle Kowalski (15), Ward Pateman (124).
Linesmen-Cody Huseby (88), Devin Kohlhauser (92).
