Blades lose to Hitmen in close contest
Saskatoon still point away from a playoff spot
After five seasons of early exits, the Saskatoon Blades are finding their playoff legs — but they’ll have to wait a little longer to clinch their second consecutive playoff berth.
The Blades, needing a victory or overtime loss to claim a post-season spot, lost 4-3 to the visiting Calgary Hitmen on Wednesday night at Sasktel Centre.
The loss ran Saskatoon’s record to 31-24-2-3, and relegates them to waiting at least a few more days to nail down a repeat visit to the playoffs.
Prior to last season, Saskatoon had missed the playoffs five straight years. But they broke out with an extended post-season run in 2018-19, sweeping Moose Jaw four straight games before losing in six to the eventual WHL champion Prince Albert Raiders.
Wednesday, the teams swapped goals in the first period, with Jayden Wiens tallying for Saskatoon and Cael Zimmerman for Calgary.
Calgary’s Mark Kastelic and Saskatoon’s Caiden Daley scored less than two minutes apart late in the middle frame, knotting the score at two as the teams headed into the second intermission.
Hitmen forward Carson Focht netted his 32nd goal of the season early in the third period, restoring his team’s one-goal edge, and defenceman Dakota Krebs beefed up that lead three minutes later.
Saskatoon’s Martin Fasko-rudas made it 4-3 with the goalie pulled heading into the final minute, but they could get no closer.
Wednesday’s game, played before a crowd announced at 3,063, was the fourth and final get-together between the two teams. Saskatoon won 9-3 and 3-2 in the first two contests before dropping a 4-1 decision Nov. 16 in Saskatoon.
The Blades and Hitmen were both coming off losses in Prince Albert — Saskatoon lost 3-0 this past Saturday, snapping a four-game win streak, and Calgary lost 8-3 to the same team on Tuesday night.
Up next for the Blades are two weekend games, both against the Regina Pats. Saskatoon hosts Regina on Friday, and pays a return visit on Saturday night.
They’ll follow that with a Tuesday road game against the Moose Jaw Warriors, and more road action March 13 in Winnipeg and March 14 in Brandon before returning home for a March 18 clash with the Regina Pats.