nivek_wahs
02-15-2007, 05:00 AM
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/sports/story.html?id=3a5b8904-c706-4349-b154-39952cec013a&k=86120
Blades bit by shootout
Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, February 15, 2007
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Tyler Dittmer got robbed by Braden Holtby's glove in overtime, but he wouldn't be denied in the shootout.
Dittmer ended a wild Wednesday match-up between the Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades at Credit Union Centre.
"It was like a see-saw, just back and forth," said Blades winger Dustin Cameron who tied the match 4-4 with 4:34 left in regulation. "Our line missed an open net (early in the third) and it kind of bit us in the butt because the next shift out they scored.
"But the guys in our room showed a lot of character."
A crowd of 3,912 watched the Blades' 2-0 lead evaporate in the second period when Brandon netted three goals in a span of 4:55. Saskatoon didn't trail long -- just 30 seconds, in fact -- as Derek Hulak tied the match 3-3 with 5:24 left in the frame.
"Saskatoon played great," said Brandon centre Jeff Topilko, who registered a hat trick. "They were down D-men and (Colton) Gillies played really well on the back end. He didn't look out of place at all."
Gillies and Gaelan Patterson, who usually play forward, filled in on defence for the Blades who have just three regular defencemen because of injuries.
Meanwhile, the line of Cameron, Kenton Dulle and Walker Wintoneak was dynamite for the Blades (21-30-2-2) who pulled within seven points of a playoff spot. Saskatoon has three games in hand on the Swift Current Broncos (25-30-1-2).
"You get a point when you're fighting for a playoff spot," said Dulle, who also scored. "It's not as good as two, but it's better than nothing."
"We're battling for our lives right now," added Cameron. "None of our guys want to go home. What are we going to do at home?"
Brandon's rookie goaltender Joe Caligiuri withstood a five-shot barrage from the Blades during their first power play Wednesday. The home side persisted, though, and Blair Macaulay scored just 10 seconds after Brandon had returned to full strength.
Chris Cloud set up the goal by corralling a rebound, glancing over his shoulder and flicking the puck to Macaulay in the slot. Macaulay's goal gave Saskatoon a 1-0 lead, not to mention a 9-1 advantage on the shot clock.
The Blades went up 2-0 when Dulle shovelled home a rebound at 6:54 of the second.
But wait. Any fans who excused themselves to go to the loo would return to a different game less than five minutes later.
Topilko scored goals 4:12 apart. The second tally ended a string of 31 straight penalty kills by the Blades. Just 43 seconds later, Chad Erb's point shot gave the Wheat Kings their first lead.
That lead was short-lived. Hulak buried a loose puck to end a crease scramble and pull Saskatoon into a 3-3 tie that carried over to the second intermission.
"When you have a lead and they score a couple of goals to tie it up, it takes an effect on the team," said Dulle. "But you have to keep the guys up and get focused for the next shift."
Topilko completed his hat trick midway through the third, but again the Blades clawed back. Saskatoon capitalized during a late power play as Wintoneak made a nifty pass from behind the net and Cameron went shelf over Caligiuri's right shoulder with just 4:34 left in regulation.
The Blades outshot the Wheat Kings a whopping 43-25 through regulation and then 5-1 in overtime. Brandon's only shot in extra time was dangerous, though, as Holtby used his glove to pull Dittmer's shot out of the air.
Dittmer was the only player to score in the shootout as he deked to his backhand and put the puck through Holtby's legs.
Brandon (31-19-2-7) continues to lead the East Division.
cwolfe@sp.canwest.com
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007
Blades bit by shootout
Cory Wolfe, The StarPhoenix
Published: Thursday, February 15, 2007
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Tyler Dittmer got robbed by Braden Holtby's glove in overtime, but he wouldn't be denied in the shootout.
Dittmer ended a wild Wednesday match-up between the Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades at Credit Union Centre.
"It was like a see-saw, just back and forth," said Blades winger Dustin Cameron who tied the match 4-4 with 4:34 left in regulation. "Our line missed an open net (early in the third) and it kind of bit us in the butt because the next shift out they scored.
"But the guys in our room showed a lot of character."
A crowd of 3,912 watched the Blades' 2-0 lead evaporate in the second period when Brandon netted three goals in a span of 4:55. Saskatoon didn't trail long -- just 30 seconds, in fact -- as Derek Hulak tied the match 3-3 with 5:24 left in the frame.
"Saskatoon played great," said Brandon centre Jeff Topilko, who registered a hat trick. "They were down D-men and (Colton) Gillies played really well on the back end. He didn't look out of place at all."
Gillies and Gaelan Patterson, who usually play forward, filled in on defence for the Blades who have just three regular defencemen because of injuries.
Meanwhile, the line of Cameron, Kenton Dulle and Walker Wintoneak was dynamite for the Blades (21-30-2-2) who pulled within seven points of a playoff spot. Saskatoon has three games in hand on the Swift Current Broncos (25-30-1-2).
"You get a point when you're fighting for a playoff spot," said Dulle, who also scored. "It's not as good as two, but it's better than nothing."
"We're battling for our lives right now," added Cameron. "None of our guys want to go home. What are we going to do at home?"
Brandon's rookie goaltender Joe Caligiuri withstood a five-shot barrage from the Blades during their first power play Wednesday. The home side persisted, though, and Blair Macaulay scored just 10 seconds after Brandon had returned to full strength.
Chris Cloud set up the goal by corralling a rebound, glancing over his shoulder and flicking the puck to Macaulay in the slot. Macaulay's goal gave Saskatoon a 1-0 lead, not to mention a 9-1 advantage on the shot clock.
The Blades went up 2-0 when Dulle shovelled home a rebound at 6:54 of the second.
But wait. Any fans who excused themselves to go to the loo would return to a different game less than five minutes later.
Topilko scored goals 4:12 apart. The second tally ended a string of 31 straight penalty kills by the Blades. Just 43 seconds later, Chad Erb's point shot gave the Wheat Kings their first lead.
That lead was short-lived. Hulak buried a loose puck to end a crease scramble and pull Saskatoon into a 3-3 tie that carried over to the second intermission.
"When you have a lead and they score a couple of goals to tie it up, it takes an effect on the team," said Dulle. "But you have to keep the guys up and get focused for the next shift."
Topilko completed his hat trick midway through the third, but again the Blades clawed back. Saskatoon capitalized during a late power play as Wintoneak made a nifty pass from behind the net and Cameron went shelf over Caligiuri's right shoulder with just 4:34 left in regulation.
The Blades outshot the Wheat Kings a whopping 43-25 through regulation and then 5-1 in overtime. Brandon's only shot in extra time was dangerous, though, as Holtby used his glove to pull Dittmer's shot out of the air.
Dittmer was the only player to score in the shootout as he deked to his backhand and put the puck through Holtby's legs.
Brandon (31-19-2-7) continues to lead the East Division.
cwolfe@sp.canwest.com
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2007