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nivek_wahs
02-07-2007, 05:25 AM
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=e5e5f296-bf31-44be-91d2-022ee222f774&k=83449


Blades alive and kicking
Blades 3, Wheat Kings 1

Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Saskatoon Blades must win several more battles to earn a playoff spot, but toppling the division leaders is a good start.

Saskatoon snapped a three-game winless streak by beating the Brandon Wheat Kings 3-1 Tuesday at the Keystone Centre. Brandon had not lost on home ice during regulation since Nov. 11.

"It was a solid effort," said Blades coach-GM Lorne Molleken. "Our special teams were real good and (goaltender Braden) Holtby was real good. Those things have to be good for us to be successful."

The Wheat Kings entered the game with the Western Hockey League's fourth-best power play, but it was the Blades who displayed superlative special teams. Saskatoon went 2-for-6 on the power play and also killed off all seven Brandon opportunities.

"They've got some guys who can move it around and get into holes, but our guys did a good job of blocking shots and getting sticks in lanes," said Molleken.

The Blades (21-28-2-1) pulled within six points of the Prince Albert Raiders and Swift Current Broncos, who are tied for third place in the East Division. The Blades have played one less game than Prince Albert and three fewer than Swift Current. Brandon (28-18-2-7) continues to top the East.

"They've stuck together through thick and thin," Molleken said of his Blades. "In the end, whatever happens, happens, but I know they're willing to lay it on the line."

Justin McCrae opened the scoring for Saskatoon with a power-play goal 6:57 into the game. Brandon got that goal back midway through the second on Daryl Boyle's even-strength marker.

Some controversy shrouded the go-ahead goal with 2:30 left in the second. During a Saskatoon power play, Colton Gillies buried the spoils of a Brett Ward point shot. The Blades celebrated and referee Derek Zalaski signalled a goal. However, goaltender Joe Caligiuri spearheaded the Wheaties' argument that the puck did not cross the line. The officials conferred briefly with the goal judge, who did not turn the light on, but Zalaski stood by his original call and awarded the Blades a goal.

Saskatoon nursed that lead into the intermission by killing off a two-man disadvantage for 36 seconds.

The Blades killed off three more Brandon power plays in the third. Wheat Kings winger Andrew Clark clanked a shot off the post with barely a minute remaining, but moments later, the Blades' Ryan Menei intercepted a pass and fired an empty-net goal.

Holtby shone with a 29-save performance and was named first star. Caligiuri stopped 29 for Brandon.

BLADE BITS: The Blades visit Regina tonight before playing host to Prince Albert on Thursday . . . D Cameron Canart and D Jared Friesen, both 16, saw their first WHL action with the Blades after being called up from the Manitoba midget ranks . . . The Wheat Kings played without D Theran Yeo. The 19-year-old from Prince Albert broke his wrist in practice and he's expected to miss the rest of the regular season.

cwolfe@sp.canwest.com

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007