It wasn't the start the Saskatoon Blades wanted in game 5. They threw 19 shots on Raiders goalie Jamie Tucker in the opening frame, but nothing found the back of the net.
Well, things sure got blown open in the 2nd period.
The Blades scored 6 goals in the fram en route to an 8-0 win, taking a 3-2 series lead.
Curtis Hamilton got things going early in period 2, scoring just 23 seconds in after a nice play by Brayden Schenn.
After that, Schenn, Marek Viedensky, Darian Dziurzynski, Jake Trask and Duncan Siemens scored to make it 6-0 after 2. In that frame the Blades scored 4 goals on the powerplay, setting a new single period franchise record for PP goals. It was a wild period to say the least.
The Blades added goals from Hamilton and Stefan Elliott in the 3rd to make the final 8-0. Jamie Tucker was chased from the Radier net after 2 and 17 year old Eric Williams allowed the final two goals.
Steven Stanford made 30 saves to record the shutout. Saskatoon threw 54 shots on the Raider goal.
Duncan Siemens was a monster in the game. He was a game time decision because of a lower body injury, but he didn't look out of place at all. He ended up with a 4 point night and made a half dozen slick defensive plays that turned into offensive chances. It might have been his best game of the year, and he's had many.
I spoke to him after the game and he could hardly walk, but said it was all about playing through the pain. He sure did.
Another highlight of the game was a 3rd period fight between big Austin Connor and Darren Dietz. Dietz punched Connor's visor clean off and earned the knock down with a few decent rights. Dietz isn't the biggest guy, but he has absolutely rocked a few guys this year. Cement for hands. Connor was bloodied up and left the game and didn't return. For someone 6'4, he sure doesn't fight very well.
So, the Blades lead the series 3-2 with game 6 going tonight at the Art Hauser Centre in PA. The Blades have to repeat their performance from last night and make sure this series doesn't go to 7.
I will hopefully be along with a preview later this morning.
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