It was a solid, effective and workmanlike effort Friday as the Saskatoon Blades opened the best-of-seven W-H-L Eastern Conference semi-final with Red Deer by topping the Rebels 4-1 before 8,355 fans at SaskTel Centre.

The Bridge City Bunch tallied first, didn’t panic when Red Deer tied the score, went back ahead, connected a power play, killed off back-to-back Rebels’ power play chances and, generally, kept Red Deer from being dangerous. Fraser Minten (pictured) led the way with two goals and an assist. The second round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022 tipped in a Grayden Siepmann point shot to open the scoring, set up Vaughn Watterodt’s marker that gave the Blue and Gold the lead again at 2-1, adding insurance when his one-time shot on a power play beat Chase Wutzke in goal for the Rebels. In addition, Minten had eight shots on goal and won 18 of 24 faceoffs. Brandon Lisowsky added the icing on the cake with an empty net goal for the Blades who had lost six straight series-opening contests, dating back to 2019. Lisowsky added an assist and Siepmann chipped in a second helper. Saskatoon out-shot Red Deer 24-17 with the only blemish against Evan Gardner in goal for the Bridge City Bunch being Carson Birnie’s second period tally off a rebound. Game 2 is Sunday at 4 o’clock at SaskTel Centre with CJWW’s broadcast beginning at 3:45 p.m. with the Palliser Rooms E-Q-3 Cutting Edge Pre-Game Show. Following are the audio highlights, Post-Game Show comments from head coach Brennan Sonne, Watterodt and Siepmann plus the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..

Red Deer Rebels 1 at Saskatoon Blades 4 – Status: Final
Friday, April 12, 2024 – SaskTel Centre – Saskatoon, SK

Red Deer 0 1 0 – 1
Saskatoon 1 2 1 – 4

1st Period-1, Saskatoon, Minten 2 (Siepmann, Lisowsky), 8:32. Penalties-served by Quentin Bourne Rd (too many men), 2:18.

2nd Period-2, Red Deer, Carson Birnie 2 (Carson Latimer, Lindgren), 5:29. 3, Saskatoon, Watterodt 1 (Minten, Siepmann), 8:59. 4, Saskatoon, Minten 3 (Wright, Suzdalev), 13:02 (PP). Penalties-Gard Rd (roughing), 11:36.

3rd Period-5, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 2 (Wong), 19:11 (EN). Penalties-Molendyk Sas (high sticking, high sticking), 2:00; Formanek Rd (interference), 12:05.

Shots on Goal-Red Deer 3-8-6-17. Saskatoon 6-10-8-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Red Deer 0 / 2; Saskatoon 1 / 3.
Goalies-Red Deer, Wutzke (23 shots-20 saves). Saskatoon, Gardner (17 shots-16 saves).
A-8,355
Referees-Mike Langin (67), Adam Forbes (62).
Linesmen-Devan Thiessen (94), Levi Schutz (110).