It may be early in the W-H-L’s East Division “Dubble,” but you can call the Bridge City Bunch the first place Saskatoon Blades!
The Blue and Gold executed a stingy, suffocating defensive game plan extremely well, holding Prince Albert to 18 shots while being opportunistic in a 3-1 victory over the Raiders Friday night. As a result, the Blades improved to 3-0-1 for 7 points…tops among the seven teams in the East Division “Dubble.” Saskatoon is the only team that has yet to lose a game in regulation time. With popular, long-time dressing room attendant Bobby Kirkness on hand to provide inspiration while he battles cancer, the Bridge City Bunch handed P-A their first regulation setback…the Raiders now 2-1-1. Caiden Daley, Aidan De La Gorgendiere and Rhett Rhinehart scored the goals for the Blue and Gold…the latter two coming with the teams each skating a man short…while Tristen Robins chipped in two assists. Eric Pearce was the only Raider to solve Nolan Maier, who recorded his 82nd goaltending victory on behalf of the Blades, passing Norm Maracle into second place on the all-time franchise list. Only Tim Cheveldae, with 85 victories, has more than the 20-year-old Yorkton product. Maier had plenty of help in front of him as Saskatoon skaters were very determined when it came to blocking Prince Albert shots…and may have blocked more than Maier actually had to stop! Next up for the Bridge City Bunch is a Sunday evening battle with 3-1-0 Moose Jaw. Game time is 8 p.m. with the broadcast on 98-COOL beginning at 7:30. Following is the game summary from the W-H-L…
Prince Albert Raiders 1 at Saskatoon Blades 3 – Status: Final
Friday, March 19, 2021 – Brandt Centre – Regina, SK
Prince Albert 1 0 0 – 1
Saskatoon 1 2 0 – 3
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Daley 1 (Wouters, Lisowsky), 3:54. 2, Prince Albert, Pearce 2 (Allan, Vitelli), 17:04. Penalties-Aquilon Pa (hooking), 1:03; Wouters Sas (delay of game), 7:28; Horon Pa (hooking), 11:48.
2nd Period-3, Saskatoon, De La Gorgendiere 1 (Robins, Wright), 9:18. 4, Saskatoon, Rhinehart 1 (Robins, Stevenson), 14:48. Penalties-Horon Pa (inter. on goaltender), 5:00; Crocker Pa (boarding), 8:05; Rhinehart Sas (cross checking), 8:31; Allan Pa (hooking), 13:48; Crnkovic Sas (holding opp. stick), 13:48; De La Gorgendiere Sas (slashing), 17:40.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Stevenson Sas (holding), 6:17; Moe Pa (interference), 6:43; Daley Sas (tripping), 16:17; Patrician Sas (delay of game), 17:49.
Shots on Goal-Prince Albert 5-5-8-18. Saskatoon 8-10-5-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Prince Albert 0 / 7; Saskatoon 0 / 5.
Goalies-Prince Albert, Paddock 2-1-0-0 (23 shots-20 saves). Saskatoon, Maier 3-0-0-0 (18 shots-17 saves).
A-
Referees-Adam Bloski (16), Bob Millette (61).
Linesmen-Sean Dufour (50), Levi Schutz (110).
