Paterson returns to town and scores twice in victory over former teammates

WINTERHAWKS 5, BLADES 4

Josh Paterson made his return a memorable one.

Traded from the Saskatoon Blades to the Portland Winterhawks two days earlier, Paterson returned to his old stomping grounds and promptly scored a pair of power-play goals for Portland in a 5-4 victory Saturday night over the Blades at Sasktel Centre.

Announced paid attendance Saturday was 3,872.

Paterson was acquired from the Blades on Thursday afternoon prior to the Western Hockey League trade deadline in exchange for winger Ryan Hughes, who was held scoreless Saturday but had a goal and assist in his debut Friday night during a 4-3 overtime loss to the Calgary Hitmen.

Saturday’s game was the only meeting between Saskatoon and Portland this season unless they go on to meet in the WHL final.

Max Gerlach, with a pair, Gary Haden and Kyle Crnkovic replied for Saskatoon, which saw its Western Hockey League record slip to 26-13-6-0 this season with Saturday’s loss.

Portland, which improved to 2612-3-2 on the season, went 2-for-5 on the power play. Saskatoon was 1-for-6 with the man-advantage.

Mason Mannek also scored twice for the Winterhawks, including the game-winner to break a 4-4 deadlock in the third period. Seth Jarvis rounded out the scoring Shots on net were 39 apiece. Nolan Maier made 34 saves for the Blades, who now have a bit of a break before returning to action Friday night, at home, against the rival Regina Pats.

Game-time Friday is 7 p.m. at Sasktel Centre.

For the next three weeks, the Blades will only play Friday-saturday weekend sets.

Saskatoon will meet Regina on Friday before heading to Brandon on Saturday to take on the host Wheat Kings.

The following weekend, the Blades will have a home-andhome series with the Swift Current Broncos. After that, it’s back-toback games against Regina and the Edmonton Oil Kings.