The Saskatoon Blades, and not the Regina Pats, won for the first time in the 2023 W-H-L pre-season Wednesday night.
The Bridge City Bunch scored the game’s final four goals, breaking a 2-2 tie in the process, and silenced the Regiment 6-2 in the Queen City. Evan Gardiner made 28 saves for the Blue and Gold. Saskatoon product Zach Moore snapped the second tie of the night just past the mid-point of the third period. Ryan Keller scored twice for the Blades with Tyler Parr, Willie James and Rowan Calvert adding singles. Defencemen Ben Saunderson and Jordan Martin plus winger Colten Worthington each chipped in a pair of assists as the Bridge City Bunch improved to 1-2-0 for the pre-season. Regina dropped to 0-2-1, despite holding a 30-23 shots on goal advantage. The Blue and Gold finish up their pre-season slate on Saturday in Warman against the Prince Albert Raiders. Game time is 7 p.m. After that, the Blades open the regular season on Saturday, September 23 back in Regina against the Pats. Following are the audio highlights from the game, Les Lazaruk’s post-game interview with head coach Brennan Sonne and the official game summary…..
Saskatoon Blades 6 at Regina Pats 2 – Status: Final
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 – Brandt Centre – Regina, SK
Saskatoon 0 1 5 – 6
Regina 0 1 1 – 2
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Laplante Reg (delay of game), 1:20; Temple Reg (holding), 7:50; Feist Reg (delay of game), 8:08; Wiens Sas (high sticking), 8:59; Barcik Sas (high sticking), 13:20.
2nd Period-1, Saskatoon, Parr 2 (Leonard, Saunderson), 4:08. 2, Regina, Howe 1 (Stringer, Spencer), 14:57 (PP). Penalties-Wong Sas (cross checking), 3:35; Feist Reg (holding opp. stick), 3:58; Saunderson Sas (holding), 13:39.
3rd Period-3, Saskatoon, Keller 1 (Worthington), 5:11. 4, Regina, Spencer 1 (Valis), 5:38. 5, Saskatoon, Moore 2 (Saunderson, Martin), 10:06. 6, Saskatoon, James 1 (Tastad, Wiens), 15:23. 7, Saskatoon, Keller 2 (Worthington), 16:50. 8, Saskatoon, Calvert 1 (Martin), 18:54 (EN). Penalties-Mushumanski Reg (roughing), 10:52.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 10-4-9-23. Regina 10-8-12-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 5; Regina 1 / 4.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Gardner 1-0-0-0 (30 shots-28 saves). Regina, Pyne 0-2-0-0 (22 shots-17 saves).
A-
Referees-Alex Clarke (134), Levi Schutz (110).
Linesmen- .
