Make it seven wins in eight annual W-H-L pre-season games in Warman for the Saskatoon Blades.
Saskatoon product Ethan Chadwick stopped 39 shots in his first-ever W-H-L action as the Bridge City Bunch held on for a 4-3 victory over the defending W-H-L-champion Prince Albert Raiders in front of 1,100 fans at The Legends Centre.
The Blue and Gold appeared headed for a lop-sided win when they jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first period and maintained the three-goal edge through 40 minutes. But, P-A didn’t quit, out-shooting the Blades 19-8 in the third period. Saskatoon survived a late Raiders’ power play, with the goalie out for an extra attacker.
Kyle Crnkovic (pictured) tallied twice and added an assist for the Bridge City Bunch, now 2-0-1 in the pre-season. Hayden Smith and Ryan Hughes added the other goals while Brandon Lisowsky chipped in three assists. Lisowsky, Smith and Chadwick were the Blue and Gold’s top three picks in this past year’s W-H-L Bantam Draft…suggesting the Blades are in pretty good shape for the future.
Ozzy Wiesblatt, Saskatoon native Cole Nagy and Spencer Moe replied for Prince Albert, now with a win and a loss in exhibition play.
Saskatoon is off until Friday and Saturday when they host the Winnipeg ICE at SaskTel Centre. Following is the official game summary from the W-H-L…
Prince Albert Raiders 3 at Saskatoon Blades 4 – Status: Final
Friday, September 6, 2019 – The Legends Centre – Warman, SK
Prince Albert 0 1 2 – 3
Saskatoon 3 1 0 – 4
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Smith 2 (Wiens, Malchuk), 6:59. 2, Saskatoon, Hughes 2 (Lisowsky, Crnkovic), 14:58. 3, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 2 (Lisowsky, Hughes), 17:20. Penalties-Masella Pa (cross checking), 10:58; Hughes Sas (tripping), 17:24.
2nd Period-4, Prince Albert, Wiesblatt 2 (Nachbaur, Usau), 14:05 (PP). 5, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 3 (Lisowsky, McNabb), 19:44. Penalties-Clark Pa (roughing), 7:59; Shugrue Sas (roughing), 7:59; Ozar Sas (hooking), 8:49; Clark Pa (slashing), 12:02; Schmidt Sas (major-spearing, game misconduct), 12:02; Nagy Pa (boarding), 16:20.
3rd Period-6, Prince Albert, Nagy 1 (Schaufler), 7:37. 7, Prince Albert, Moe 1 (Pearce), 11:47. Penalties-Laventure Pa (hooking), 1:37; Wiens Sas (tripping), 4:18; Hughes Sas (high sticking), 8:03; Guhle Pa (high sticking), 14:15; McNabb Sas (checking from behind), 17:41.
Shots on Goal-Prince Albert 10-13-19-42. Saskatoon 10-7-8-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Prince Albert 1 / 6; Saskatoon 0 / 4.
Goalies-Prince Albert, Balas 0-1-0-0 (25 shots-21 saves). Saskatoon, Chadwick 1-0-0-0 (42 shots-39 saves).
A-1,100
Referees-Aydon Brown (85), Troy Murray (34).
Linesmen-Tanner McGregor (55), Devan Thiessen (94).
