In the end…Nolan Maier (pictured), the power play and second line scoring proved to be too much for Lethbridge to overcome as the Saskatoon Blades downed the Hurricanes 4-1 Friday night at SaskTel Centre.
With the help of a couple of early goal-posts, Maier stymied the Canes in front of 3,138 fans by making 29 saves for his fourth straight personal goaltending victory, 21st of the season and 112th of his W-H-L and Bridge City Bunch career. The Blue and Gold scored twice on three man advantage chances. Plus, the line of Brandon Lisowsky, Trevor Wong and Egor Sidorov combined for five points with each line member scoring once. For Wong and Sidorov, the goals ended goal-less droughts of 10 and eight games, respectively. Lisowsky and Wong each had an assist for two-point games while Jayden Wiens notched his 10th power play goal of the season, tied for the most on the Blades with Tristen Robins. Former Prince Albert Raider Tyson Laventure spoiled Maier’s shutout bid early in the third period for Lethbridge, now 18-20-3 for the season. Another key to the victory was Saskatoon killing off a 1:56 5-on-3 power play chance for the Hurricanes late in the first period into the second frame as the Bridge City Bunch improved to 25-16-2 for the season and 3-1-0 on a homestand that wraps up Saturday against Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats. Game time is 7 p.m. with the broadcast on CJWW at 6:30. Following is the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L as well as CJWW’s Post-Game Show interviews with head coach Brennan Sonne, Maier and Lisowsky…
Lethbridge Hurricanes 1 at Saskatoon Blades 4 – Status: Final
Friday, February 11, 2022 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK
Lethbridge 0 0 1 – 1
Saskatoon 0 2 2 – 4
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Nolan Let (hooking), 8:15; Robins Sas (high sticking), 19:35; Wong Sas (face off violation), 19:40.
2nd Period-1, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 24 6:12. 2, Saskatoon, Wiens 16 (Crnkovic, De La Gorgendiere), 12:06 (PP). Penalties-Zandee Let (tripping), 11:00.
3rd Period-3, Lethbridge, Laventure 7 1:13. 4, Saskatoon, Wong 8 (Lisowsky, Wright), 7:42. 5, Saskatoon, Sidorov 11 (Wong, Rhinehart), 17:34 (PP). Penalties-Schneider Sas (cross checking), 8:11; Laventure Let (high sticking), 16:49.
Shots on Goal-Lethbridge 4-14-12-30. Saskatoon 10-12-13-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Lethbridge 0 / 3; Saskatoon 2 / 3.
Goalies-Lethbridge, Thomson 11-14-2-1 (35 shots-31 saves). Saskatoon, Maier 21-13-1-1 (30 shots-29 saves).
A-3,138
Referees-Brayden Arcand (71), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Brayden Glynn (96), Aiden Penner (109).
