GBG BLEED BLUE
11-17-2008, 03:12 PM
http://www.saskatoonblades.com/News/Blades_News/440/
The Saskatoon Blades are currently enjoying two lengthy winning streaks as the team has proven through 24 games this season that they are one of the elite teams in the entire Western Hockey League.
The hockey club, ranked 3rd overall in the WHL, is currently enjoying a 5 game home winning streak along with an 8 game road winning streak. The home streak, which began on November 7th, is the 3rd longest home winning streak this season amongst the 22 WHL franchises. Meanwhile, the Blades current 8 game road winning streak is 5 games longer than any other team and began over a month ago on October 7th. Saskatoon has not lost a road game since September 26th in Swift Current.
After a disappointing start to the season, where the club dropped 4 of its first 5 games, the tide turned during back to back home victories against the Tri-City Americans and the Medicine Hat Tigers. Since that weekend (Oct. 4/5), which was a coming out party for the Blades previously stalling offense, the team has posted 16 victories in 19 games with a 16-2-1-0 record. During that stretch, the offense has averaged 4.11 goals per game and have received goals evenly throughout the entire roster. The club’s goal production reached its apex during an 8-1 victory over the Regina Pats on October 21st.
The Blades offense is led by a combination of players as the team has 9 players who have scored 5 or more goals thus far this season. Leading the team are 17 year olds Stefan Elliott (11) and Burke Gallimore (12). Elliott, the North Vancouver, BC, product, is eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and is continuing to build off of the profile he built for himself during his rookie campaign in 2007/08 where he posted 40 points. His 11 goals have already surpassed his total from last season (9) and lead all Western Hockey League defenseman in 08/09 goal scoring. For Gallimore, his 12 goals have him sitting 2nd overall in goals by a rookie in the league.
Defensively the club has seen consistent success by allowing just 63 goals against in their first 24 games of the season, good for 2nd overall in the Eastern Conference. The teams top 7 defenseman have combined for a +28 rating in 2008/09 with 20 year old Colin Joe boasting a team best +12. The experienced defensive core is also youthful, having just one 20 year old (Joe) and two 19 year olds (Ryan Funk, Sam Klassen).
The talented trio of forwards Darian Dziurzynski, Gaelan Patterson, and Walker Wintoneak have developed into a top shutdown line for the club and are called upon each game to neutralize the offense of the opposition’s top lines. Despite having a defence first approach, the three have found a way to combine for 15 goals.
Between the pipes, Saskatoon Blades goaltender and Washington Capitals prospect Braden Holtby has solidified himself as one of the WHL’s elite goaltenders and is on pace to shatter numerous club records for goaltender longevity. The 19 year old netminder has him tied for the WHL lead in wins with 14. Holtby’s 2.45 goals against average is good for 7th in the WHL while his .913 save percentage is also good for 7th.
Throughout the course of the season, the Saskatoon Blades have been able to upset all of the elite competitors they have played with wins over the Brandon Wheat Kings, Regina Pats, Swift Current Broncos, Calgary Hitmen, Medicine Hat Tigers, Kootenay Ice, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Tri-City Americans, and the defending Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs.
Fans will still have an opportunity to see the club in action at Credit Union Centre 6 more times before the Christmas break. The team’s next home action is set for a November 19th tilt with the Kootenay Ice before hosting the Brandon Wheat Kings, led by Saskatoon product and top NHL prospect Brayden Schenn, on the 22nd. Saskatoon will then close the month of November and their 11 game home stand on November 28th with a battle against their biggest rival as the Prince Alert Raiders make their 2nd of 4 stops at CUC.
Tickets to Saskatoon Blades home games can be purchased by calling 938.7800 or by visiting ticketmaster.ca. The team offers group ticket packages with adult prices as low as $12. Kids have the opportunity to be treated as VIP’s with a Dairy Queen Birthday pack, Arctic Spa’s Hot Tub pack, Canadian Tire Team pack, and more! For complete ticket information visit saskatoonblades.com, the team’s official website featuring game highlights, photo galleries, special kid’s zone, and much more.
The Saskatoon Blades are currently enjoying two lengthy winning streaks as the team has proven through 24 games this season that they are one of the elite teams in the entire Western Hockey League.
The hockey club, ranked 3rd overall in the WHL, is currently enjoying a 5 game home winning streak along with an 8 game road winning streak. The home streak, which began on November 7th, is the 3rd longest home winning streak this season amongst the 22 WHL franchises. Meanwhile, the Blades current 8 game road winning streak is 5 games longer than any other team and began over a month ago on October 7th. Saskatoon has not lost a road game since September 26th in Swift Current.
After a disappointing start to the season, where the club dropped 4 of its first 5 games, the tide turned during back to back home victories against the Tri-City Americans and the Medicine Hat Tigers. Since that weekend (Oct. 4/5), which was a coming out party for the Blades previously stalling offense, the team has posted 16 victories in 19 games with a 16-2-1-0 record. During that stretch, the offense has averaged 4.11 goals per game and have received goals evenly throughout the entire roster. The club’s goal production reached its apex during an 8-1 victory over the Regina Pats on October 21st.
The Blades offense is led by a combination of players as the team has 9 players who have scored 5 or more goals thus far this season. Leading the team are 17 year olds Stefan Elliott (11) and Burke Gallimore (12). Elliott, the North Vancouver, BC, product, is eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and is continuing to build off of the profile he built for himself during his rookie campaign in 2007/08 where he posted 40 points. His 11 goals have already surpassed his total from last season (9) and lead all Western Hockey League defenseman in 08/09 goal scoring. For Gallimore, his 12 goals have him sitting 2nd overall in goals by a rookie in the league.
Defensively the club has seen consistent success by allowing just 63 goals against in their first 24 games of the season, good for 2nd overall in the Eastern Conference. The teams top 7 defenseman have combined for a +28 rating in 2008/09 with 20 year old Colin Joe boasting a team best +12. The experienced defensive core is also youthful, having just one 20 year old (Joe) and two 19 year olds (Ryan Funk, Sam Klassen).
The talented trio of forwards Darian Dziurzynski, Gaelan Patterson, and Walker Wintoneak have developed into a top shutdown line for the club and are called upon each game to neutralize the offense of the opposition’s top lines. Despite having a defence first approach, the three have found a way to combine for 15 goals.
Between the pipes, Saskatoon Blades goaltender and Washington Capitals prospect Braden Holtby has solidified himself as one of the WHL’s elite goaltenders and is on pace to shatter numerous club records for goaltender longevity. The 19 year old netminder has him tied for the WHL lead in wins with 14. Holtby’s 2.45 goals against average is good for 7th in the WHL while his .913 save percentage is also good for 7th.
Throughout the course of the season, the Saskatoon Blades have been able to upset all of the elite competitors they have played with wins over the Brandon Wheat Kings, Regina Pats, Swift Current Broncos, Calgary Hitmen, Medicine Hat Tigers, Kootenay Ice, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Tri-City Americans, and the defending Memorial Cup Champion Spokane Chiefs.
Fans will still have an opportunity to see the club in action at Credit Union Centre 6 more times before the Christmas break. The team’s next home action is set for a November 19th tilt with the Kootenay Ice before hosting the Brandon Wheat Kings, led by Saskatoon product and top NHL prospect Brayden Schenn, on the 22nd. Saskatoon will then close the month of November and their 11 game home stand on November 28th with a battle against their biggest rival as the Prince Alert Raiders make their 2nd of 4 stops at CUC.
Tickets to Saskatoon Blades home games can be purchased by calling 938.7800 or by visiting ticketmaster.ca. The team offers group ticket packages with adult prices as low as $12. Kids have the opportunity to be treated as VIP’s with a Dairy Queen Birthday pack, Arctic Spa’s Hot Tub pack, Canadian Tire Team pack, and more! For complete ticket information visit saskatoonblades.com, the team’s official website featuring game highlights, photo galleries, special kid’s zone, and much more.