The Saskatoon Blades are back in familiar, yet dubious, territory for a third straight playoff series in 2023!
Winnipeg’s line of Connor McClennon, Matthew Savoie and Zach Benson combined for 10 scoring points as the ICE trimmed the Bridge City Bunch 6-2 Saturday to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven W-H-L Eastern Conference final. The difference from the first two rounds against Regina and Red Deer is that the Blue and Gold are coming home for the next two games, instead of heading out on the road down 2-0. McClennon registered a post-season hat-trick and added an assist while Savoie and Benson each had a goal and two helpers as Winnipeg scored the first five goals of the game. Justin Lies ended Daniel Hauser’s bid for a second straight shutout at 10:48 of the third period, then Jayden Wiens added a power play tally as the Blades were only outshot 33-29. Games 3 and 4 are set for Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 p.m. both days, at SaskTel Centre. Following is the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L, audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast and Les Lazaruk’s Post-Game interview with Saskatoon head coach Brennan Sonne…..
Saskatoon Blades 2 at Winnipeg ICE 6 – Status: Final
Saturday, April 29, 2023 – Wayne Fleming Arena – Winnipeg, MB
Saskatoon 0 0 2 – 2
Winnipeg 2 2 2 – 6
1st Period-1, Winnipeg, McClennon 8 (Lambos), 6:09. 2, Winnipeg, McClennon 9 (Zloty, Savoie), 17:31 (PP). Penalties-Geekie Wpg (tripping), 4:07; Prosofsky Wpg (tripping), 12:40; Chiasson Sas (slashing), 16:39.
2nd Period-3, Winnipeg, Benson 3 (McClennon, Savoie), 3:25. 4, Winnipeg, Pederson 3 (Geekie), 12:29. Penalties-Armstrong Wpg (too many men), 4:24; Friesen Wpg (too many men), 18:02.
3rd Period-5, Winnipeg, McClennon 10 (Sward, Benson), 1:08. 6, Saskatoon, Lies 2 10:48. 7, Saskatoon, Wiens 8 (Lisowsky, Wong), 14:39 (PP). 8, Winnipeg, Savoie 10 (Benson), 16:27 (EN). Penalties-Chiasson Sas (slashing), 1:29; Lies Sas (slashing), 11:25; Zloty Wpg (hooking), 13:48; Watterodt Sas (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:43; Cumby Wpg (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:43.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 10-10-9-29. Winnipeg 9-13-11-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 1 / 5; Winnipeg 1 / 3.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Elliott (32 shots-27 saves). Winnipeg, Hauser (29 shots-27 saves).
A-1,720
Referees-Mark Pearce (5), Corey Koop (53).
Linesmen-Cody Huseby (88), Kelsey Mahoney (138).
