The Saskatoon Blades are on a mission to break a three-game slide in the Western Hockey League as they head to Manitoba for a crucial Tuesday night matchup.
Blades Look to Regain Footing After Tough Weekend
Following a pair of disappointing losses over the weekend, the Saskatoon Blades have seen their record dip to 14-11-2-0, placing them fourth in the WHL's Eastern Conference. The team is now focused on stopping their losing streak at three games when they face the Brandon Wheat Kings on the road this Tuesday.
Weekend Woes: Breakdown of the Losses
The recent skid began with a lopsided 9-3 defeat against the Medicine Hat Tigers last Friday. Despite a promising start that saw the Blades lead 3-2 after the first period, the offense went silent for the final forty minutes. The Tigers capitalized, scoring seven unanswered goals to secure a decisive victory. Hayden Harsanyi, Cooper Williams, and Rowan Calvert provided the Saskatoon scoring, but the team was outshot 43-34.
The struggles continued Sunday in Edmonton. Once again, the Blades held a 3-2 lead after the first period, this time against the Oil Kings. A scoreless second period for Saskatoon, where Edmonton netted two goals, proved to be the difference. Despite a third-period rally where both teams scored twice, the Blades fell short in a 6-5 final. Harsanyi, Calvert, and David Lewandowski found the back of the net for Saskatoon, who went 2-for-7 on the power play and outshot Edmonton 34-25.
Looking Ahead: Home Ice Awaits
After the Tuesday contest in Brandon, the Blades will return to the friendly confines of SaskTel Centre for a Sunday afternoon clash with provincial rivals, the Regina Pats. Puck drop for that home game is scheduled for 4 p.m. local time. The team will be eager to leverage home-ice advantage and reverse their fortunes in front of their Saskatoon fans.
The upcoming games represent a critical juncture for the Blades as they aim to stabilize their season and climb back up the Eastern Conference standings. All eyes will be on their response to adversity this week.
