Three goals on three consecutive shots in the third period capped a four-goal rally as the Saskatoon Blades stayed alive in their second round W-H-L playoff series with a 4-2 victory over the Rebels in Red Deer.
Goaltender Ethan Chadwick (pictured) stopped 34 of 36 shots in his first start of the set, including 27 saves over the final two periods. Kai Uchacz scored both Rebels’ goals in the opening frame, the first goals and points of the series for the 50-goal man over the regular season. Staring at elimination, Bridge City Bunch captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere started the comeback with a seeing-eye point shot on a power play in the second period. Then in the third period, Jayden Wiens, Brandon Lisowsky and Tanner Molendyk connected on the Blue and Gold’s 18th, 19th and 20th shots on goal for the night on Kyle Kelsey who had his and Red Deer’s six-game post-season winning streak come to an end. De La Gorgendiere and Molendyk also chipped in with an assist while Trevor Wong had a pair of helpers. The win means there will be a Game 5 Friday at SaskTel Centre at 7 p.m. It will also be the 12th game of the playoffs this season for the Blades, the most they have played since 1994 when they made it to the W-H-L final. CJWW’s broadcast starts at 6:45 p.m. on Friday. Following is the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L plus the audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast and Les Lazaruk’s Post-Game Show interview with head coach Brennan Sonne…..
Saskatoon Blades 4 at Red Deer Rebels 2 – Status: Final
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – Peavey Mart Centrium – Red Deer, AB
Saskatoon 0 1 3 – 4
Red Deer 2 0 0 – 2
1st Period-1, Red Deer, Uchacz 5 (Isley, Grubbe), 6:27 (PP). 2, Red Deer, Uchacz 6 (Isley), 13:05. Penalties-Lies Sas (major – checking to the head, game misconduct), 3:24; Isley Rd (boarding), 10:23.
2nd Period-3, Saskatoon, De La Gorgendiere 1 (Wong, Chiasson), 12:09 (PP). Penalties-Lisowsky Sas (high sticking, high sticking), 6:14; Fabrizi Rd (interference), 11:03.
3rd Period-4, Saskatoon, Wiens 5 (Watterodt), 4:12. 5, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 3 (Saunderson, Molendyk), 4:55. 6, Saskatoon, Molendyk 1 (De La Gorgendiere, Wong), 8:15. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 8-9-7-24. Red Deer 9-15-12-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 1 / 1; Red Deer 1 / 3.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Chadwick (36 shots-34 saves). Red Deer, Kelsey (24 shots-20 saves).
A-4,702
Referees-Adam Bloski (16), Jeff Ingram (82).
Linesmen-Chad Huseby (59), Michael Roberts (87).
