The Saskatoon Blades improved to 9-2-1-0 on the year after an emotional 5-1 win Wednesday at SaskTel Centre against the Seattle Thunderbirds.
A glimpse of old-time hockey returned with 51 penalty minutes dished out in the contest. The Blades scored on one of their seven powerplay attempts, while the visitors capitalized on one of their four. Three fighting majors were assessed as well.
In the mix of it all was Blades rookie forward Zach Olsen, who kickstarted a three-goal first period for Saskatoon 1:34 into the game. The Calgary, AB product finished the night with a goal, +2 rating, and two shots on goal. Drafted in the second round (29th overall) by the Blades in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Olsen’s started his rookie year with three goals and three assists in 12 games.
German import forward David Lewandowski made it 2-0 Saskatoon less than a minute later. The NHL draft-eligible winger earned the first star on the night with his tally and an assist on Olsen’s opening goal, along with his +3 rating. The 6-foot-2 power forward is up to two goals and two assists in four games since signing with the Blades on October 8. Lewandowski received a “W” rating by NHL Central Scouting Wednesday, indicating a sixth or seventh round candidate, and a first time NHL draft-eligible “Work in Progress” player with limited scouting history and games played.
Saskatoon continued to pour it on the visitors as 19-year-old winger Ben Riche scored his seventh goal of the year to make it 3-0. The Bethune, SK native also notched a helper in the win, giving him three goals and five assists on his five-game point streak. Acquired by the Blades in May from the Victoria Royals, Riche is tied for third in WHL scoring with 18 points (7G, 11A) in 12 games.
Thunderbirds forward Braeden Cootes provided a spark for his club 48 seconds into the middle frame with a gorgeous end-to-end goal. The Sherwood Park, AB product has three goals and nine assists in 13 games.
Nashville Predators prospect Tanner Molendyk did not let Cootes come into his house and steal the show. The 19-year-old blueliner scored a goal-of-the-year candidate after going end-to-end himself, dazzling in a circle around the Thunderbirds net, before coming back down to rip a shot past Buffalo Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff. Molendyk has three goals and eight points in six games with Saskatoon this season. Rookie forward Cooper Williams picked up his second assist of the night on the veteran’s goal, putting him second in WHL rookie scoring with four goals and ten assists in 12 games.
Extra curricular activities and chaos filled the remainder of the second period, all starting from a massive clean hit by Williams in neutral ice.
Blades forward Tyler Parr made it 5-1 Saskatoon with under three minutes remaining in the contest. The right-handed winger has three goals and eight assists in ten games this year.
Columbus Blue Jackets draft pick Evan Gardner held the fort with 26 saves to help Saskatoon remain atop the WHL standings with 19 points. Wednesday marked three consecutive victories against Seattle, putting the Blades 1-0-1-0 against the visiting U.S. Division this season.
The Blades begin a season-long seven-game road trip Friday at Westoba Place against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Puck drop is 6:00 p.m., followed by the Blades departure for their B.C. road-swing Wednesday, Oct. 30.
