A pair of three-goal deficits proved to be too much to overcome for the Saskatoon Blades, especially against the C-H-L’s top-ranked team, as the Winnipeg ICE skated away with a 4-3 triumph.
Third period goals by Brandon Lisowsky and Jayden Wiens made for an interesting final 1:44 as the Bridge City Bunch pulled goaltender Nolan Maier in search of an equalizer that didn’t quite happen. The ICE led 2-0 and 4-1 at the intermission breaks of a very quickly played game, thanks to no penalties being called in the opening 40 minutes. Kyle Crnkovic also scored for the 12-10-1 Blue and Gold, now on a three-game losing streak while Winnipeg improved to 22-1-1 in winning their fifth straight head-to-head meeting with the Blades. Shots on goal were even at 29-29. The same teams meet again Saturday at 7 o’clock as Saskatoon finishes off a stretch of nine consecutive road games, 2-6-0 thus far. CJWW’s pre-game show Saturday begins at 6:30. Following is Les Lazaruk’s post-game show interview with head coach Brennan Sonne and the game summary courtesy the W-H-L…
Saskatoon Blades 3 at Winnipeg ICE 4 – Status: Final
Friday, December 3, 2021 – Wayne Fleming Arena – Winnipeg, MB
Saskatoon 0 1 2 – 3
Winnipeg 2 2 0 – 4
1st Period-1, Winnipeg, Milne 18 (Geekie, Smallwood), 0:50. 2, Winnipeg, Smallwood 14 (Muir), 11:06. Penalties-No Penalties
2nd Period-3, Winnipeg, Geekie 8 (Pederson, Alexander), 7:56. 4, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 13 (Lisowsky, Rhinehart), 9:22. 5, Winnipeg, McClennon 20 (Benson, Orzeck), 19:09. Penalties-No Penalties
3rd Period-6, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 10 (Crnkovic), 11:16. 7, Saskatoon, Wiens 5 (Robins, De La Gorgendiere), 14:36 (PP). Penalties-Geekie Wpg (charging), 3:49; Milne Wpg (high sticking), 7:20; Molendyk Sas (hooking), 11:33; Smallwood Wpg (high sticking), 12:42.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 12-6-11-29. Winnipeg 9-16-4-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 1 / 3; Winnipeg 0 / 1.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 10-8-1-0 (29 shots-25 saves). Winnipeg, Alexander 12-1-0-0 (29 shots-26 saves).
A-1,403
Referees-Kyle Kowalski (15), Corey Koop (53).
Linesmen-Neal Prokop, Layne Richardson (158).
