The Saskatoon Blades went back to the scene of some of their gutsiest playoff victories from this past spring and gutted out another victory Saturday night, slipping past the Rebels 2-1 in Red Deer.
Austin Elliott (pictured) made 26 saves to improve his personal record to 6-0-0 while the Bridge City Bunch are 8-2-0 after their sixth consecutive success. Elliott’s best save of the game came midway through the third period when he scrambled across to his left to snare Kai Uchacz’s labelled shot from the low slot with the Blue and Gold clinging to the 2-1 lead. Egor Sidorov snapped a 1-1 tie in the second period while Easton Armstrong connected for his first goal as a Blade on a first period, 4-on-3 power play. Tanner Molendyk and Trevor Wong drew assists on both tallies. Only Jhett Larson, on a first period power play, was able to solve Elliott as the Rebels out-shot Saskatoon 27-23. The result, combined with Moose Jaw beating Prince Albert, allowed the Bridge City Bunch to leap back into first place in the East Division and Eastern Conferende. The Blue and Gold host the Warriors Tuesday at SaskTel Centre. Following are the audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast, Les Lazaruk’s post-game interview with head coach Brennan Sonne and the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..
Saskatoon Blades 2 at Red Deer Rebels 1 – Status: Final
Saturday, October 21, 2023 – Peavey Mart Centrium – Red Deer, AB
Saskatoon 1 1 0 – 2
Red Deer 1 0 0 – 1
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Armstrong 7 (Wong, Molendyk), 5:57 (PP). 2, Red Deer, Larson 3 (Uchacz, Lindgren), 12:57 (PP). Penalties-Sidorov Sas (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 4:31; Uchacz Rd (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 4:31; Carson Latimer Rd (hooking), 4:41; Armstrong Sas (inter. on goaltender), 11:09; Lind Rd (holding), 18:42; Sidorov Sas (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:46.
2nd Period-3, Saskatoon, Sidorov 7 (Wong, Molendyk), 10:29. Penalties-No Penalties
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Larson Rd (slashing, 10-minute misconduct), 19:02.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 7-10-6-23. Red Deer 9-13-5-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 1 / 3; Red Deer 1 / 2.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Elliott 6-0-0-0 (27 shots-26 saves). Red Deer, Stoesser 1-1-0-0 (23 shots-21 saves).
A-4,516
Referees-Mike Langin (67), Mark Pearce (5).
Linesmen-Ty Elliot (162), Will Mosswick (91).
