After many positive minor hockey and W-H-L memories at Westoba Credit Union Place, Tristen Robins added one more to the memory bank in leading the Saskatoon Blades to a 5-2 triumph over the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The 20-year-old who calls Clear Lake home, but spent most of his childhood in Brandon and played his minor hockey in the Western Manitoba city, opened the game scoring on the power play, then snapped a 2-2 tie with 9:11 remaining in the third period as the Bridge City Bunch regained sole possession of fifth place in the Eastern Conference, two points up on the Wheaties. The result gave the Blue and Gold three of a possible four points from the two-game series and seven of a possible eight points for four games in Brandon for the season. The away team has been victorious in five of six games thus far with two meetings remaining in April at SaskTel Centre. Robins also added an assist on Brandon Lisowsky’s third period power play goal that provided the 28-18-3 Blades with insurance. Like Robins, Lisowsky scored twice and Kyle Crnkovic added an empty net tally. Nolan Maier stopped 28 of 30 shots as the 26-16-5 Wheat Kings had their five-game winning streak ended. It was Maier’s 23rd win of the season and the 114th of his W-H-L career, tying him with former Victoria Royals’ netminder Griffen Outhouse for eighth place on the all-time league list. Saskatoon centre Trevor Wong added two assists as he extended his points streak to nine games. The Bridge City Bunch completed their seas0n-longest road trip with a 2-2-1 record. The Blue and Gold don’t get much rest time before playing at SaskTel Centre as the Blades host Moose Jaw Sunday at 4 o’clock. Following is the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L and Les Lazaruk’s Post-Game Show interview with head coach Brennan Sonne…..
Saskatoon Blades 5 at Brandon Wheat Kings 2 – Status: Final
Friday, February 25, 2022 – Westoba Place – Brandon, MB
Saskatoon 1 1 3 – 5
Brandon 0 2 0 – 2
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Robins 23 (Wong, De La Gorgendiere), 14:07 (PP). Penalties-Danielson Bdn (high sticking), 13:43; Saunderson Sas (interference), 16:16; Schneider Sas (delay of game), 19:42.
2nd Period-2, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 27 (Wong), 2:36. 3, Brandon, Kallionkieli 11 (Greig, Nychuk), 6:58 (PP). 4, Brandon, Danielson 18 (Greig, Hyland), 9:42. Penalties-Saunderson Sas (slashing), 4:35; De La Gorgendiere Sas (interference), 6:16; Mantei Bdn (interference), 12:21.
3rd Period-5, Saskatoon, Robins 24 (Crnkovic), 10:49. 6, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 28 (Wiens, Robins), 12:37 (PP). 7, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 34 19:36 (EN). Penalties-Lisowsky Sas (high sticking), 2:24; Lisowsky Sas (high sticking), 4:24; Ritchie Bdn (roughing), 5:42; Kallionkieli Bdn (slashing), 11:33; De La Gorgendiere Sas (holding), 16:29.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 9-10-11-30. Brandon 10-9-11-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 2 / 4; Brandon 1 / 7.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Maier 23-15-2-1 (30 shots-28 saves). Brandon, Kruger 20-9-2-2 (29 shots-25 saves).
A-3,022
Referees-Wyatt Rapsky (119), Tarrington Wyonzek (137).
Linesmen-Ryan Cooke (150), Kelsey Mahoney (138).
