Blades blank Oil Kings to get back on winning track
BLADES 5, OIL KINGS 0
It was a convincing win when one was certainly needed.
After dropping five of its previous seven games since the Western Hockey League’s Jan. 10 trade deadline, Saskatoon scored a big win at home Friday night.
The Blades blanked the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings 5-0 before a crowd announced at 3,309 fans at SaskTel Centre.
Saskatoon improves to 24-232-1 and maintains a cushion over the provincial rival Prince Albert Raiders in a race for the final playoff spot in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.
The Blades continue a threegame homestand Saturday night against the Prince George Cougars. They’ll then play host to the Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday.
The Blades, who snapped a twogame losing skid, had been one of the hottest teams in the WHL to start the second half of the season prior to their recent slump.
For the Oil Kings, Friday’s game marked the start of a six-game road swing.
THE GOALS
Josh Paterson, Max Gerlach, Jackson Caller, Michael Farren and Braylon Shmyr scored for the Blades, who led 3-0 and 4-0 by periods.
Gerlach, who picked the top corner, and Farren, who was able to slap it in from the back door, both notched power play goals for Saskatoon.
The Blades, who out-shot the Oil Kings 28-20, went 2-for-11 on the power play. The Oil Kings were 0-for-3.
Blades rookie Nolan Maier made 20 saves for the shutout.
CAPTAIN OUT, FANTILLO IN
The Blades were without captain Evan Fiala, who was serving a onegame suspension after receiving a major penalty for cross-checking Regina Pats forward Sam Steel on Wednesday night.
Fellow D -man Dawson Davidson (illness) was also out of the lineup along with forward Tyler Lees.
Meanwhile, gritty Caleb Fantillo returned to the Blades lineup after missing 23 games due to an upperbody injury. Fantillo had seven goals through 19 games prior to his injury. He provides an immediate boost to the Blades’ secondary scoring and a physical presence up front.
The Blades also welcomed back forward Eric Florchuk, who returned to Saskatoon following the CHL’s NHL Prospects Game.
Florchuk, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Victoria Royals, is ranked No. 93 among North American skaters on the NHL Central Bureau’s players to watch list.
Teammate Chase Wouters is rated No. 103 on the NHL’s midterm list.
THE VOICE, BLADES STYLE
If you give, Les Lazaruk — the play-by-play voice of the Blades — is prepared to sing “Oh Canada” at an upcoming Blades game in late February.
A charitable GoFundMe page has been started to see Lazaruk sing, raising money for the Saskatchewan Red Cross and Pink Day.
For every $20 raised will provide a pink shirt for a local child and get them into the Red Cross Pink Day program supporting anti-bullying.
The target is $1,500. As of Friday night, $425 had been raised.