In what is becoming their workmanlike and methodical way, the Saskatoon Blades regained top spot in the W-H-L’s East Division “Dubble” Sunday night by overpowering the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-1.
The Bridge City Bunch were opportunistic, backed by stifling defence and stingy goaltending from Nolan Maier. The game was scoreless late in the second period when Moose Jaw went on their third power play opportunity, only to surrender a short-handed goal when Tristen Robins stole the puck from Warriors’ captain Daemon Hunt at the Blue and Gold blue-line and skated 125 feet before deking to the back-hand to beat rookie Moose Jaw netminder, and Saskatoon product, Brett Mirwald. Evan Patrician (pictured) added a brace of goals, sandwiching Jagger Firkus’ early third period tally that broke Maier’s bid for an eighth career shutout. Patrician’s first goal, shortly after Robins’ tally, was a mid-slot deflection of a waist-high point shot from Pasha Bocharov. For Bocharov, and fellow rookie defenceman Tanner Molendyk, the assists they got on the goal was their first W-H-L points each. Patrician’s second goal was a 40-foot shot that glanced off a Warriors’ defender and beat a fooled Mirwald by the slight change of direction. Saskatoon out-shot Moose Jaw 28-21 as the Blades improved to 4-0-1 for nine points…one more than the 4-2-0 Warriors and Winnipeg. Earlier Sunday, the ICE out-lasted the Prince Albert Raiders 3-2 in overtime. The victory for Maier was his fourth in the “Dubble” and 83rd of his career…two back of the Blades’ franchise record held by Tim Cheveldae. The Bridge City Bunch have allowed only five even strength goals in the five games and are 7-0-1 in their last eight games…including three straight wins prior to the 2019-20 season being suspended last March by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their last regulation loss was March 4, 2020…a 4-3 setback to the Calgary Hitmen at SaskTel Centre. Saskatoon returns to action Monday night against the 3-1-1 Brandon Wheat Kings. Game time is 8 p.m. with 98-COOL’s broadcast starting at 7:30 with the Sardinia Family Restaurant pre-game show. Following is the game summary from the W-H-L…
Saskatoon Blades 3 at Moose Jaw Warriors 1 – Status: Final
Sunday, March 21, 2021 – Brandt Centre – Regina, SK
Saskatoon 0 2 1 – 3
Moose Jaw 0 0 1 – 1
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Patrician Sas (roughing), 5:22; Mateychuk Mj (roughing), 5:22; Rhinehart Sas (holding), 5:44; Wyatt McLeod Sas (elbowing), 17:34; Popple Mj (high sticking), 17:34.
2nd Period-1, Saskatoon, Robins 3 16:52 (SH). 2, Saskatoon, Patrician 2 (Bocharov, Molendyk), 18:37. Penalties-Smith Sas (hooking), 6:46; Lisowsky Sas (slashing), 16:05.
3rd Period-3, Moose Jaw, Firkus 1 (King, Korczak), 3:46. 4, Saskatoon, Patrician 3 (Dach, Stevenson), 10:00. Penalties-Daley Sas (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 0:00; Hunt Mj (cross checking), 0:00; Patrician Sas (interference), 7:28; Popple Mj (hooking), 13:05; Firkus Mj (hooking), 16:30.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 10-9-9-28. Moose Jaw 5-8-8-21.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 4; Moose Jaw 0 / 7.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 4-0-0-0 (21 shots-20 saves). Moose Jaw, Mirwald 1-2-0-0 (28 shots-25 saves).
A-
Referees-Aydon Brown (85), Allan Scott (38).
Linesmen-Logan Tisdale (98), Brent Vandermeulen (100).
