A game start didn’t translate into goals and a lead for the Saskatoon Blades Friday, ultimately leading to a 3-0 Winnipeg ICE victory in Game 1 of the best-of-seven W-H-L Eastern Conference final.
While Friday’s third round series opener was the 15th game in 29 days for the Bridge City Bunch, they had some early pressure, only to have Winnipeg defenceman Ben Zloty’s back-hand shot get through traffic in front of Blue and Gold goaltender Ethan Chadwick, off the post and into the net at 14:39 of the first period. Zack Ostapchuk added a penalty-shot tally before the opening 20 minutes was done and ICE captain Carson Lambos scored a similar goal to Zloty’s to close out the game scoring in the second period. By then, the Blades were noticeably fatigued from their schedule, out-shot 27-16 in being blanked for the first time in the post-season. Saskatoon’s one highlight was an offside challenge that was successful and over-turned a Winnipeg empty net goal late in the third period. The Bridge City Bunch will look for a split of the first two games in the Manitoba Capital when they tangle with the ICE again on Saturday. Game time is 3 p.m. with CJWW’s broadcast beginning at 2:45. Following is the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L, plus audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast and Les Lazaruk’s Post-Game Show interview with head coach Brennan Sonne…..
Saskatoon Blades 0 at Winnipeg ICE 3 – Status: Final
Friday, April 28, 2023 – Wayne Fleming Arena – Winnipeg, MB
Saskatoon 0 0 0 – 0
Winnipeg 2 1 0 – 3
1st Period-1, Winnipeg, Zloty 1 (Woo), 14:39. 2, Winnipeg, Ostapchuk 8 16:05 (SH PS). Penalties-Benson Wpg (hooking), 15:32.
2nd Period-3, Winnipeg, Lambos 1 (Savoie), 7:45. Penalties-Wong Sas (slashing), 0:23; Pederson Wpg (tripping), 12:14; Nash Wpg (high sticking), 15:22.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Pederson Wpg (roughing), 2:14.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 8-4-4-16. Winnipeg 10-8-10-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 4; Winnipeg 0 / 1.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Chadwick (28 shots-25 saves). Winnipeg, Hauser (16 shots-16 saves).
A-1,613
Referees-Kyle Kowalski (15), Ward Pateman (124).
Linesmen-Cody Huseby (88), Nick Grenier (159).
