With a couple of players returning to the line-up from injury, the Saskatoon Blades played with more energy and enthusiasm Friday…but they are still having trouble scoring goals as the W-H-L’s East Division “Dubble” schedule winds down.
Alex Morozoff broke Gage Alexander’s shutout bid with 7:11 remaining in the third period, but the Winnipeg ICE had scored four times before that, coasting to a 4-1 triumph over the Bridge City Bunch. The victory boosted Winnipeg two points ahead of the Blue and Gold into second place, one point back of leading Brandon. The loss was the fourth straight for Saskatoon, during which they’ve scored only five goals. Morozoff’s tally, which eluded Alexander off an ICE defender in front of him, ended a goal-less streak of 138:58 for the Blades…including a shutout loss to the arch-rival Prince Albert Raiders on Thursday.
Winnipeg, now 16-5-1, out-shot the Blue and Gold 34-26 and got seven points from their top line of Owen Pederson-Peyton Krebs-Connor McClennon. Pederson scored twice, Krebs had two assists to give him a league-leading 41 points and McClennon had a goal and two helpers.
The 14-5-3 Bridge City Bunch are off until Monday when they play their second-last game of the “Dubble” against Moose Jaw. Game time is 8 p.m. with the broadcast on 98-COOL at 7:30. Following is the official game summary from the W-H-L…
Saskatoon Blades 1 at Winnipeg ICE 4 – Status: Final
Friday, April 23, 2021 – Brandt Centre – Regina, SK
Saskatoon 0 0 1 – 1
Winnipeg 2 1 1 – 4
1st Period-1, Winnipeg, Pederson 12 (McClennon, Krebs), 6:05. 2, Winnipeg, Ladyman 2 (Prosofsky), 11:00. Penalties-Benson Wpg (hooking), 2:21; Daley Sas (interference), 15:28; Rhinehart Sas (delay of game), 16:05.
2nd Period-3, Winnipeg, McClennon 14 (Krebs), 14:32. Penalties-Prosofsky Wpg (holding), 8:12.
3rd Period-4, Winnipeg, Pederson 13 (McClennon), 5:40. 5, Saskatoon, Morozoff 2 12:49. Penalties-McMaster Wpg (boarding), 5:54; Paulhus Sas (inter. on goaltender), 18:54.
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 9-9-8-26. Winnipeg 12-12-10-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 3; Winnipeg 0 / 3.
Goalies-Saskatoon, MacInnes 4-2-1-0 (34 shots-30 saves). Winnipeg, Alexander 6-3-0-0 (26 shots-25 saves).
A-
Referees-Cody Beach (76), Troy Murray (34).
Linesmen-Lucas Nagel (170), Brayden Glynn (96).