Blades win their fifth straight
Streak has team thinking playoffs but coach warns against looking too far ahead
The Saskatoon Blades enter a new year in a playoff position and, so far, undefeated for 2018.
If the Western Hockey League playoffs were to begin today, the Blades would qualify for one of two Eastern Conference wildcard berths. They’ve now won five games in a row and eight of their last nine games following a 4-2 victory over the visiting Swift Current Broncos before 3,760 fans Monday at SaskTel Centre.
“I’ve been here for three years and haven’t made playoffs yet, so I’m really looking forward to this year,” said Blades forward Josh Paterson, who tallied the gamewinning goal Monday.
“We have a chance at the postseason and I think we’re going to make it.”
Saskatoon has also climbed above the .500 mark with a 1917-2-1 record.
“We’re in a (playoff) spot but we have to make sure we keep going,” offered Blades head coach Dean Brockman, whose team will resume action Friday and Saturday at home against the Red Deer Rebels and Kootenay Ice, respectively.
“I’m fairly critical that way. I just want to worry about win No. 20 instead of looking that far ahead. You know you have to have a big picture in mind but, for us, it’s really concentrating about when we step on the ice Wednesday (for the team’s next practice) and getting ourselves better.”
Paterson tallied the game-winning goal, on the power play, at 5:36 of the third period Sunday as the Blades won back-to-back games over the Broncos.
Dryden Michaud and Evan Fiala had the other goals for Saskatoon, which out-shot Swift Current 4222. Former Blades goalie Logan Flodell made 38 saves for the Broncos.
“We’ve just been finding ways (to win),” said Brockman.
“When you lose games, you find ways to lose them and, when you win games, you find ways to win them. We had a big power play goal and our specialty teams have been really good as of late and certainly you’re going to win more if you win the specialty team battle.
“(This) was kind of one of those games where you’re afraid you’re going to lose. I thought we had some great opportunities to get more distance in the scoreboard but we didn’t. We’ll take the win.”
Rookie Nolan Maier picked up his fifth straight win.
“It feels really good to be able to play some games here in a row and go on a little win streak of my own,” said Maier.
Prince Albert product Ethan Regnier and Kole Gable replied for the Broncos, who slipped to 26-10-2-0.
On Saturday, the Blades edged the Broncos 4-3 in Swift Current after rallying from a 3-2 deficit in the third period.
Braylon Shmyr tallied the gamewinning goal for Saskatoon. Paterson scored a pair of goals and Cam Hebig had the other goal for the Blades, who trailed 2-1 after two periods.
Maier made 29 saves for the win, his fourth straight and seventh win in eight games.
Colby Sissons, Max Patterson and Beck Malenstyn replied for the Broncos, who went 0-for-3 with the man-advantage.