The Saskatoon Blades extended their winning streak by doing a lot of things well Monday night in a 4-0 triumph over the arch-rival Prince Albert Raiders.
The Bridge City Bunch scored twice in each of the first two periods before Nolan Maier (pictured) took over with 15 saves in the third frame for his first shutout of the W-H-L’s East Division “Dubble” in Regina. The result was the Blue and Gold’s sixth straight win and boosted their record to 9-0-1…solidly atop the seven team group of Saskatchewan and Manitoba squads.
For Maier, who has won all six of his starts thus far in the “Dubble,” this latest success was the 85th win of the 20-year-old Yorkton product’s career. That ties him with former N-H-Ler Tim Cheveldae for the most wins by a goaltender in Blades’ franchise history. The shutout was the eighth of Maier’s time with Saskatoon…leaving him one back of the franchise record held by Andrey Makarov.
Colton Dach scored twice, including the opening goal before four minutes had elapsed in the second meeting between the Central Saskatchewan arch-rivals. He added an assist on captain Chase Wouters’ power play goal while Tristen Robins also tallied with the man advantage as the Bridge City Bunch out-shot the 3-4-2 Raiders 32-24.
Things did get nasty in the third period with Wouters and P-A rookie Logan Linklater each being hit with five-minute major penalties and accompanying game misconducts for separate stick infractions. It may mean supplemental discipline for one or the other player…or both. The Blue and Gold’s next action is Wednesday when they take on the only team to skate off the ice victorious against Saskatoon thus far in the “Dubble.” The Winnipeg ICE out-lasted the Blades 2-1 in overtime back on March 17. Game time Wednesday is 6 o’clock. Following is the game summary from the W-H-L…
Saskatoon Blades 4 at Prince Albert Raiders 0 – Status: Final
Monday, March 29, 2021 – Brandt Centre – Regina, SK
Saskatoon 2 2 0 – 4
Prince Albert 0 0 0 – 0
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Dach 5 (Rhinehart), 3:57. 2, Saskatoon, Wouters 5 (Dach, Robins), 17:25 (PP). Penalties-Laventure Pa (high sticking, high sticking), 14:35; Schneider Sas (holding), 17:51.
2nd Period-3, Saskatoon, Dach 6 10:39. 4, Saskatoon, Robins 6 (De La Gorgendiere), 17:59 (PP). Penalties-Gislason Pa (slashing), 6:01; Aquilon Pa (interference), 17:53.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Wouters Sas (roughing, roughing), 0:37; Nachbaur Pa (roughing, roughing), 0:37; Linklater Pa (major-butt ending, game misconduct), 3:20; Patrician Sas (holding), 5:46; Wouters Sas (major-cross checking, game misconduct), 11:50; Rhinehart Sas (cross checking), 19:05.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 8-12-12-32. Prince Albert 3-6-15-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 2 / 5; Prince Albert 0 / 3.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 6-0-0-0 (24 shots-24 saves). Prince Albert, Serhyenko 1-2-1-1 (32 shots-28 saves).
A-
Referees-Adam Bloski (16), Bob Millette (61).
Linesmen-Sean Dufour (50), Logan Tisdale.
