Blades score early and often to dump Pats

Many wondered if tonight would be a let down game for the Saskatoon Blades after a huge matchup with Red Deer last night.

Well, that notion was put to rest pretty early.

Captain Teigan Zahn took on Shayne Neigum only 15 seconds into the game. It was a good scrap, giving the edge to Zahn due to height and weight advantage as he landed a few massive blows.

That surely set a fire under the Blades.

They scored 3 goals within the first five minutes of the game and didn't look back. Those goals came from Marek Viedensky, Matej Stransky and Jake Trask.

The Pats did a good job hanging around after that before Jordan Weal scored a nice deflection goal at 13:16 of the 2nd period to cut the lead to 3-1.

But Saskatoon made sure they kept their foot on the gas. Duncan Siemens fired a shot past Damien Ketlo on the powerplay shortly after to restore the 3 goal lead. Just over a minute later Curtis Hamilton finished off a nice passing play with Brayden Schenn and Trask to make it 5-1 after 2 periods.

The teams traded goals in the third, Neigum for Regina and Trask again for Saskatoon. The final was 6-2.

Trask ended up with a two goals and an assist while Brayden Schenn had 4 assists.

Steven Stanford won for the 28th time this year, making 29 saves. He also had possibly the save of the year in the 2nd period off of Saskatoon-native Chandler Stephenson. Stanford slid from his left to his right, stacking the pads as Stephenson thought he had a wide open net.

Both Pats goalies had action in this one. Matt Hewitt was pulled quickly after the Blades two first goals, but would return in the third period. Hewitt made 10 saves on 13 shots. Ketlo made 26 saves on 29 shots.

Saskatoon now has a day off to rest up before returning to practice on Friday. The Blades host Lethbridge on Saturday night.