Back to the basics for rested Blades

After a one-week break, the Blades resume Western Hockey League action Friday and Saturday at SaskTel Centre, writes Darren Zary.

1 VISITING TEAMS

The Medicine Hat Tigers and Calgary Hitmen enter Friday’s WHL schedule with 1-1 records.

The Hitmen play in Prince Albert Friday before moving on to Saskatoon to meet the Blades Saturday. The Tigers visit Saskatoon Friday before heading up to P.A. to play the Raiders Saturday.

The Tigers are led by Mark Rassell (four points in two games) and Zach Fischer up front. Among players to watch are former first-round bantam picks Ryan Chyzowski and Josh Williams. Overage goaltender Michael Bullion minds the net.

Through two games, the Hitmen have been led by Matteo Gennaro, Jake Kryski, Vladislav Yeryomenko and Beck Malenstyn.

2 A WEEK TO FORGET

Instead of a home opener to remember, it was a week to forget for the Blades.

After playing their season opener Sept. 22 at home and losing to the Swift Current Broncos, the Blades had a week to think about what they need to do better.

“It’s not easy,” said Blades head coach Dean Brockman when asked about the quirky start to the schedule. “I know we have a lot of things to work on. If you win, it’s great. If you lose, it takes you so much longer to get back on the horse again. For us, it’s been OK in the sense that we do have lots of things to work on that you typically don’t have a chance to work on during the season when it gets busy.”

After a flurry of activity before the season, the Blades haven’t touched their roster since their season opener as Brockman reports “no roster changes.”

3 LOOKING FOR OFFENCE

The Blades managed only two goals against Swift Current, which went on for a 5-2 victory with four unanswered goals.

As for the focus this week, Brockman used a wide-angle lens instead of a microscope.

“The main thing? Well, there are a lot of things,” he replied.

“Obviously, trying to instil some offensive situations into them (is key) and try and score some goals off the rush — just little things like that you need a steady diet of. That’s been the primary focus for the group.”

4 HEBIG SET TO RETURN

Blades forward Cameron Hebig is set to return to the lineup Saturday after serving a twogame suspension for a checking-from-behind penalty he took in Edmonton during his final game of the pre-season.

“It’ll be nice to have him in the lineup on Saturday,” admitted Brockman. “Certainly, it’s a big boost to have him back after a long, long absence, for sure.”

Hebig, who missed all of last season due to a neck injury, had five goals and one assist in four games during the exhibition season. He had 26 goals and 43 assists for 69 points in 59 games during the 2015-16 season.

“I’m not sure who we’ll take out (Saturday),” said Brockman.

5 MAIER WATCH

Blades goalie prospect Nolan Maier made 39 saves, stopping 28 of 29 shots through the first two periods for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Yorkton Terriers, in a 4-0 loss to the firstplace Melfort Mustangs.

It was enough to impress the Blades brass, who will keep an eye on Maier this season.