There might have been an iffy start, but the Saskatoon Blades dominated most of the game before, eventually, prevailing in a 4-2 victory over the Swift Current Broncos Saturday in the first game for both teams in the W-H-L’s East Division “Dubble” in Regina.
It was the Blades’ first game in 368 days and the Broncos’ first action in 367 days…and, it appeared like Speedy Creek had the early jump as Rafael Pelletier scored exactly a minute into the contest on the first shot on goal of the game. But, the Bridge City Bunch and goaltender Nolan Maier bounced back to be solid the rest of the way…although it took three unanswered goals in the third period for the Blue and Gold to claim the triumph.
Last season’s top two point-getters for Saskatoon turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead as Kyle Crnkovic and Tristen Robins (pictured) scored goals 37 seconds apart. The rest of the Blades’ offence came from 16-year-old rookie Brandon Lisowsky, who notched the Bridge City Bunch’s first goal of the unique “Dubble” campaign…and his first in the W-H-L…and added an insurance marker. Josh Davies scored the other goal for Swift Current, who were out-shot 40-25 with Isaac Poulter playing heroically in goal…keeping the Blue and Gold at bay for as long as he could.
The Blades return to action Sunday at 4 o’clock when they are the designated home team against the Regina Pats. The broadcast on 98-COOL begins at 3-30. Following is the game summary, courtesy the W-H-L…
Saskatoon Blades 4 at Swift Current Broncos 2 – Status: Final
Saturday, March 13, 2021 – Brandt Centre – Regina, SK
Saskatoon 0 1 3 – 4
Swift Current 1 1 0 – 2
1st Period-1, Swift Current, Raphael Pelletier 1 (Moar, Wyrostok), 1:00. Penalties-Halamandaris Sc (hooking), 5:08; Wouters Sas (cross checking), 10:43; Stevenson Sas (high sticking), 17:13.
2nd Period-2, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 1 (Wouters, Daley), 6:41. 3, Swift Current, Davies 1 (Wyrostok, Raphael Pelletier), 11:49. Penalties-Morozoff Sas (tripping), 0:33; Dach Sas (slashing), 3:07; Nagy Sc (hooking), 15:58.
3rd Period-4, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 1 (Dach, Rhinehart), 6:18. 5, Saskatoon, Robins 1 (Rhinehart, Wyatt McLeod), 6:55. 6, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 2 (Wouters), 17:12. Penalties-Patrician Sas (boarding), 2:52.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 13-16-11-40. Swift Current 6-15-4-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 2; Swift Current 0 / 5.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 1-0-0-0 (25 shots-23 saves). Swift Current, Poulter 0-1-0-0 (40 shots-36 saves).
A-
Referees-Troy Murray (34), Bob Millette (61).
Linesmen-Sean Dufour (50), Ryan Lundquist (106).
