Saskatoon Blades Gear Up for U.S. Road Trip After Thrilling Weekend

The Saskatoon Blades are poised for a demanding stretch of games following a successful weekend in the Western Hockey League (WHL). After competing in three games over three days, they now prepare for six matches in just ten days. With a record of 9-3-0, the Blades secured second place in the WHL standings and are set to embark on a challenging road trip across the United States. Their journey begins on October 27, 2023, in Everett, Washington, against the Silvertips.

The Blades will face off against the Portland Winterhawks, Tri-City Americans, Spokane Chiefs, Seattle Thunderbirds, and Wenatchee Wild during this rigorous stretch. They will return home for a matchup against the Moose Jaw Warriors on November 7, 2023.

The weekend’s events were particularly exhilarating for the Blades. On Sunday afternoon, they mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-3, which allowed them to leapfrog the Oil Kings in the standings and claim two crucial points. Head coach Dan SaSilva reflected on the weekend’s challenges, stating, “It was a bit of a roller-coaster weekend, in general. I think a lot of teams would have folded 10 times over with the adversity they had to deal with.”

In the victory against Edmonton, key players stepped up. Kazden Mathies, David Lewandowski, Cooper Williams, and Hayden Harsanyi each contributed goals, with Harsanyi scoring the winner just five seconds before the final buzzer. “We just stuck with it, believed we would get the job done,” SaSilva praised. The win also had the added benefit of preventing the Oil Kings from gaining any points, a vital advantage in the competitive WHL landscape.

The Blades’ performance in this matchup was particularly noteworthy. They outshot Edmonton 35-25, and Evan Gardner achieved his 50th career victory with the team, making 22 saves in the process. SaSilva noted the significance of the game, describing it as an early-season “statement game” against a top rival, saying, “We talked about that a bit — the line we used was ‘The Clash of the Titans.’ It had the playoff atmosphere.”

The weekend began on a less favorable note for the Blades, as they suffered a 6-2 defeat to the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night. Despite the setback, they rebounded impressively on Saturday with an 8-5 victory against the same team in a home-and-home series. Mathies excelled with two goals, while contributions came from Rowan Calvert, Brayden Klimpke, Triston Mitchell-McElhone, Kachkowski, Williams, and Harsanyi.

This upcoming road trip will test the Blades’ endurance and resolve as they navigate a packed schedule. The team’s ability to maintain momentum and cohesion will be crucial in the coming days. As they prepare to face formidable opponents, the Blades aim to build on their recent successes and solidify their position in the standings.

With the season still unfolding, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Blades perform against their U.S. rivals. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable as this dynamic team continues to strive for success on the ice.