Untimely Mistakes Hurt Blades, Propel Hitmen to Playoff Opening Success

The Calgary Hitmen held serve on the opening night of the W-H-L Playoffs, doubling the Saskatoon Blades 4-2 Friday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

When it looked like the Bridge City Bunch would have a solid shot at opening the scoring and grab some early momentum in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final, a power play chance turned into a short-handed goal for Calgary. Tanner Howe’s hard forecheck in the Blue and Gold and centring pass to a wide open Ethan Moore got the Hitmen going in front of 3,770 fans. Near the end of the second period, after Grayden Siepmann tied the score, the veteran Blades’ defenceman tried a long, cross-ice pass in his zone that Oliver Tulk intercepted and the 38-goal man from the regular season waltzed and scored to give Calgary a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Hunter Laing scored in the third period for Saskatoon to make the score more respectable, but the Bridge City Bunch were out-shot 44-17 while the Hitmen won 43 of 65 faceoffs. Evan Gardner was solid in goal for the Blue and Gold, making 40 saves and will be needed to have another strong outing Sunday in Game 2 if the Blades are to gain a split before heading home for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday at SaskTel Centre. Game time Sunday is 2 o’clock with CJWW’s broadcast beginning at 1:45. Following are the audio highlights from CJWW’s broadcast, Les Lazaruk’s Post-Game Show interview with head coach Dan Da Silva plus the official game summary courtesy the W-H-L…..

SASKATOON Goals SASKATOON PLAYERS (plus) CALGARY PLAYERS (minus) Per. Time  G-As1-As2 2nd 5:16  21-52-72 21 23 32 52 72 8 15 16 17 26 3rd 10:48  27-25 2 3 25 27 86 8 9 11 24 37

CALGARY Goals CALGARY PLAYERS (plus) SASKATOON PLAYERS (minus) Per. Time  G-As1-As2 1st 4:26 SH  18-9 7 9 18 24 4 11 25 27 86 2nd 16:42  37 8 9 11 24 37 21 25 27 52 86 3rd 7:58 PP  18-24-8 3rd 10:23  11-24-9 8 9 11 24 37 2 21 25 72 86