By Jeff D'Andrea

Blades leapfrog the Raids’ after holiday break

Dec 27, 2017 | 8:39 PM

For the first time this season, the Saskatoon Blades leaped ahead of the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL standings.

The Blades beat the Raiders 4-2 Wednesday to steal the second wildcard spot away from the Raiders, who have held that position for the majority of the season. The Blades improve to 16-17-2-1 and bump the Raiders out of a playoff spot, with a 13-15-5-2.

It was a game of scoring in pairs.

The Blades opened up with theirs right off the hop. Josh Paterson tipped one home right in front of the net 4:08 in, before Cam Hebig made it 2-0 on the power play in 9:56. On Hebig’s goal, Raiders forward Parker Kelly lost his stick on the play and Blades’ rookie Kirby Dach dragged that stick in the neutral zone, leaving Kelly without a twig, leading to Hebig’s goal. Dach left the game in the latter half of the first period after a collision behind the net and did not return.

The Raiders got their couple midway through the second period, and were able to answer and scored two goals within a 38-second span to equalize the scoreline.

Vise grip driver

Vise grips not a steering wheel: RCMP

10h ago

Patient supports

'Misuse' of free parking passes attributed to cancellation: SHA

12h ago

Golf season approaching

Local golf courses target opening days following late season snowfall

Apr 20, 2024

On their first power play of the game, Brett Leason scored from a sharp angle on a wrist shot that trickled over the glove and off the noggin of Blades goaltender Nolan Meier. Just after that, Devon Skoleski also snuck one through the glove of Meier on a breakaway, after being sprung by a great pass from Max Martin.

Hebig scored his second goal of the night in the second period after the Raiders turned the puck over in front of their own net. Jackson Caller scored the insurance marker just 58 seconds later.

Ian Scott was the lone Raider to make the game’s three stars list, making 37 saves, including 14 third period stops.

Czech-less

Both of Wednesday’s teams were without their Czech-born defencemen, as both are with the Czech Republic at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Buffalo. The Czechs feature both Raiders blueliner Vojtech Budik and the Blades’ Libor Hajek.

In part to replace Budik, the Raiders called up first overall pick Kaiden Guhle and inserted him into the lineup for the second time this season. They also called up Tyler Lowe.

Rematch

Both teams will complete the home-and-home set on Thursday at the Art Hauser Centre.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW