An 11-year wait and a 13-year drought ended on the same night for the Saskatoon Blades, thanks to a 4-0 victory Tuesday over the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings.
The Bridge City Bunch are guaranteed to finish in first place in the East Division and in first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2013 and 2011, respectively. Egor Sidorov (pictured) had the starring role with a natural hat trick in the opening two periods, then assisted on defenceman John Babcock’s first goal with the Blue and Gold to round out the scoring. Austin Elliott stopped 18 shots for his second shutout in as many starts against the Wheaties and his fourth clean sheet overall this season. Sidorov’s fifth hat trick and 10th multi-goal game of the campaign brought his season goal total to 49. The 19-year-old Anaheim Ducks’ draft pick has five games to collect his 50th and be the first member of the Blades to reach the milestone since Frank Banham and Mark Deyell both did it in 1995-96 with 83 and 61 goals, respectively. In addition, the Belarus product passed Matej Stransky on the all-time Saskatoon points scoring list, making Sidorov the top career point-getter amongst Bridge City Bunch European players in franchise history. Sidorov now has 194 points, including 112 goals. He also tied the single-season Blue and Gold franchise record with his 12th game-winning goal, equaling Stefan Elliott’s mark from the 2010-11 season. The Blades now have the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy in their sights for finishing in first place in the entire W-H-L. Saskatoon will continue that quest Friday when they host the Moose Jaw Warriors at 7 o’clock at SaskTel Centre. Following are the audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast, Post-Game Show interviews with head coach Brennan Sonne, Sidorov and Elliott plus the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..
Brandon Wheat Kings 0 at Saskatoon Blades 4 – Status: Final
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK
Brandon 0 0 0 – 0
Saskatoon 1 2 1 – 4
1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Sidorov 47 (Molendyk, Wong), 1:45 (PP). Penalties-Hyland Bdn (hooking), 0:24.
2nd Period-2, Saskatoon, Sidorov 48 (Tastad, Elliott), 10:58. 3, Saskatoon, Sidorov 49 (Armstrong, Wong), 14:02. Penalties-Calvert Sas (hooking), 11:34; Maliavin Bdn (tripping), 11:49; Hyland Bdn (boarding), 15:03.
3rd Period-4, Saskatoon, Babcock 4 (Sidorov), 17:35. Penalties-Tansem Bdn (delay of game), 2:35; Watterodt Sas (interference), 17:42.
Shots on Goal-Brandon 7-8-3-18. Saskatoon 13-7-16-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Brandon 0 / 2; Saskatoon 1 / 4.
Goalies-Brandon, Bjarnason 22-17-4-1 (36 shots-32 saves). Saskatoon, Elliott 28-7-2-1 (18 shots-18 saves).
A-3,422
Referees-Adam Bloski (16), Troy Murray (34).
Linesmen-Brayden Glynn (96), Devan Thiessen (94).
