Blades back in the series

The only real difference statistics-wise between that early December matchup and Tuesday’s game was the Blades’ goal scorer.

Kirby Dach opened the scoring for the Blades for the second straight game in the series. Just 4:21 into the game, Dach took the puck off the pads of goaltender Ian Scott and tucked in the rebound. Blades pest Riley McKay drew a lot of the Raiders’ attention on the play, as Raider defender Zack Hayes was preoccupied in a wrestling match him and not the puck. That freed up Dach to score.

Dach began his career without scoring a goal in the first 17 games he played the Raiders, including Game 1 of this series. But all of a sudden, Dach opened the scoring in the two biggest games of his career thus far and got the game-winner on Tuesday.

“I love playing in these big games and the big moments,” Dach said. “Any player that can find that extra gear and keep pushing forward is going to be a difference maker in this series. That’s what I want to be.”

Here's the only goal of the game, Dach battling through a check to get it. pic.twitter.com/78oeqS9JVj

— Jeff D'Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) April 10, 2019

“[He’s] just a man that’s enjoying playoff hockey,” Blades head coach Mitch Love said. “They’re challenging him over there, physically and that’s what this time of year is all about. It’s real encouraging to see our younger players like himself really enjoying the playoff grind for the first time.”

For the Raiders, it’s no time to push the panic button. They still have a lead on the Blades and for the most part, they liked the effort and their chance creation.

“I thought we played well enough to win,” Raiders head coach Marc Habscheid said. “Their goalie played real good. He made some key saves.

“It was one of those games where we had a puck bounce over our sticks on rebounds. Very seldom do we get shutout. I liked the way our guys played. We didn’t think we were going to go undefeated the whole playoff season. Tomorrow’s another day.”

The chances were there, but the Raiders will look to be more clinical in their finishing.

“We have to a better job of bearing down on our chances, but overall it was a good effort,” Raiders captain Brayden Pachal said. “We have to regroup for tomorrow.”

War of words simmering down

Both coaches were trying to bargain with the officials heading into Game 3. Habscheid previously accused the Blades more than a handful of times on embellishing calls, while Love suggested the Raiders got away with several high hits.

But the officials Adam Byblow and Adam Bloski didn’t fall into either trap. They only issued three penalties that resulted in power plays, two against the Raiders and one against the Blades.

After Tuesday, both coaches were ready to move on from the feud as well.

“He got to say his piece, I said my piece,” Love said. “If [Habscheid] wants to continue, that’s his prerogative.”

When asked if the ‘war of words’ had anything to do with the game, Habscheid just laughed and shook his head.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Blades, Kirby Dach from Nolan Kneen and Ryan Hughes, 4:21

Second Period

No scoring.

Third Period

No scoring.

Goalies

Raiders—Ian Scott 26-27

Blades—Nolan Maier, 26-26

SaskTel rematch

Both teams will meet back at the SaskTel Centre on Wednesday for Game 4.

Now that the Blades have won, Game 5 will be made necessary. That will be at the Art Hauser Centre on Friday, at 7 p.m.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW

by Jeff D'Andrea

Blades back in the series

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