While they couldn’t make Edmonton pay for taking penalties during regulation time, the Saskatoon Blades found a rare and dramatic way to take advantage of the Oil Kings’ fouls in a 2-1 victory Saturday night at SaskTel Centre.
Brandon Lisowsky (pictured) made like Frank Banham, scoring on a penalty shot 42 seconds into overtime to give the Bridge City Bunch a third consecutive win and upping their season record to 45-12-5 for 95 points – one point away from clinching first place finishes in, both, the W-H-L’s East Division and Eastern Conference. Banham, the Blue and Gold franchise’s all-time leading goal-scorer and point-getter, was honoured before the game by having his Number 39 retired and hoisted to the rafters in front of 4,862 fans. The game was scoreless through two periods as Edmonton showed off their recent form with a 7-4-0 record in their previous 11 games, highlighted by the goaltending of 19-year-old veteran Kolby Hay. However, Easton Armstrong broke through to open the scoring just past the six-minute mark of the third period, only to have Gracyn Sawchyn pot the tying tally with 97 seconds left in regulation time, setting the stage for Lisowsky’s heroics. The penalty shot marker came after the Blades were goal-less in five chances on the power play. It was the 19-year-old left winger’s 36th goal of the season and his second overtime winner. For the 31st straight game, the Blades out-shot their opponent – 34-17 on this occasion. Saskatoon is off until Tuesday when they entertain Brandon. Following are the audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast, Post-Game Show comments from H-C Brennan Sonne, defenceman Charlie Wright and Lisowsky plus the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..
Edmonton Oil Kings 1 at Saskatoon Blades 2 (OT) – Status: Final OT
Saturday, March 9, 2024 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK
Edmonton 0 0 1 0 – 1
Saskatoon 0 0 1 1 – 2
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Rebman Edm (inter. on goaltender), 10:37; Woodward Edm (high sticking), 11:13.
2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Saunderson Sas (high sticking, high sticking), 4:28; Woodward Edm (inter. on goaltender), 19:29.
3rd Period-1, Saskatoon, Armstrong 29 6:22. 2, Edmonton, Sawchyn 17 18:23. Penalties-Lajoie Edm (tripping), 12:56; Nash Edm (high sticking), 15:19.
OT Period-3, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 36 0:42 (PS). Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Edmonton 5-5-7-0-17. Saskatoon 11-6-16-1-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Edmonton 0 / 2; Saskatoon 0 / 5.
Goalies-Edmonton, Hay 19-17-1-1 (34 shots-32 saves). Saskatoon, Gardner 18-5-0-2 (17 shots-16 saves).
A-4,862
Referees-Austin Weisgerber (131), Karlin Krieger (27).
Linesmen-Ridge Brooks (161), Levi Schutz (110).
