SASKATOON — For the second consecutive night, hockey fans were treated to an exhilarating battle between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Saskatoon Blades, with overtime once again needed to determine the outcome. However, in Saturday's game two clash, it was the hometown Saskatoon Blades who emerged victorious, securing a hard-fought 3-2 win and evening the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final at a win apiece.
From the outset, the Moose Jaw Warriors displayed an impressive level of determination, riding the momentum from their previous overtime victory in Game One. They dominated much of the play, generating the majority of scoring chances and putting pressure on the Blades' defense.
Their efforts were rewarded at 12:33 of the opening period when Atley Calvert capitalized on a 2-on-1 opportunity, deftly outmaneuvering Blades goaltender Evan Gardiner to notch his second goal in as many games and his fifth of the postseason.
The Warriors continued to dictate the pace of the game, stifling the Blades' offensive efforts and maintaining possession in their opponent's zone. Kalem Parker extended their lead with a well-executed goal, firing home a shot through traffic to give Moose Jaw a commanding 2-0 advantage late in the first period.
As the game progressed into the second period, the Moose Jaw Warriors remained relentless in frustrating the Blades, particularly in neutral ice. And if it were not for an acrobatic save by the Blades Evan Gardiner the Warriors would have added to their lead.
Saskatoon used the momentum from the save and capitalized on a power play opportunity, with defenseman Tanner Molendyk finding the back of the net to cut the deficit in half. This goal injected new life into the Blades, who seized the opportunity to level the score before the intermission, courtesy of Brandon Lisowsky's timely rebound goal.
With the game deadlocked at 2-2 heading into the third period, both teams showcased great intensity and skill, but neither could break the deadlock despite numerous scoring opportunities. Saskatoon held the edge in shots on goal, outshooting Moose Jaw 30-22 by the end of regulation.
As the tension mounted in overtime, both teams approached the extra frame cautiously, wary of making any costly mistakes. That was until, Blades forward Vaughn Watterodt would block a Denton Mateychuk shot. The puck would ricochet to Lucas Hansen who would break through neutral ice 2-on-1 with linemate Fraser Minton. Hansen’s backhand saucer pass would land on the tape of Minten, a second-round Toronto Maple Leaf draft pick, and the Vancouver native would make no mistake sliding it past the Moose Jaw tender to give Saskatoon the 3-2 win, tying the Eastern Conference final a one each.
Minten's overtime heroics capped off an exceptional performance, as he not only secured the win but also showcased his prowess in the face-off circle, setting a new career high by taking 35 face-offs and winning 20 of them.
With a packed crowd of 9,328 fans witnessing the dramatic showdown at SaskTel Centre, the series now shifts south for games three and four, to be played at the Moose Jaw Events Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
QUICK HITTERS:
- Saskatoon’s Easton Armstrong served the final game of his four-game suspension. He is eligible to play in game three in Moose Jaw on Tuesday.
- Moose Jaw was 0-for-2 on the power play and didn’t register a shot in those opportunities.
- Saskatoon was 1-for-4 on the power play.
- After only one minor penalty was assessed in game one on Friday, the teams combined for 10 minor penalties on Saturday.
- Moose Jaw’s goal to open the game was the first time in the post-season that the Blades have not scored first.
- Each game in the series has seen the winning team erase a two-goal deficit.
THE GAME SHEET:
Moose Jaw Warriors 2 at Saskatoon Blades 3 (OT) - Status: Final OT
Saturday, April 27, 2024 - SaskTel Centre - Saskatoon, SK
Moose Jaw 2 0 0 0 - 2
Saskatoon 0 2 0 1 - 3
1st Period - 1, Moose Jaw, Calvert 5 (Savoie, McKenzie), 12:33. 2, Moose Jaw, Parker 2 (Yager, Firkus), 17:20. Penalties - Savoie MJ (slashing), 4:36; Sidorov Sas (slashing), 4:36; Parker MJ (interference), 7:48.
2nd Period-3, Saskatoon, Molendyk 2 (Wong, Sidorov), 11:00 (PP). 4, Saskatoon, Lisowsky 5 (Sidorov), 17:29. Penalties-Siepmann Sas (closing hand on puck), 5:45; Parker MJ (slashing), 9:40; Watterodt Sas (slashing), 9:40; Wilson MJ (tripping), 10:29; Firkus MJ (hooking), 12:24; Wong Sas (roughing), 14:24.
3rd Period - No Scoring. Penalties - Yager MJ (cross checking), 11:20.
OT Period-5, Saskatoon, Minten 6 (Hansen), 13:06. Penalties - No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Moose Jaw 6-8-8-5-27. Saskatoon 8-14-8-7-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Moose Jaw 0 / 2; Saskatoon 1 / 4.
Goalies-Moose Jaw, Unger (37 shots-34 saves). Saskatoon, Gardner (27 shots-25 saves).
A-9,328
Referees-Bryan Bourdon (45), Bryce Sebastian (64).
Linesmen-Cody Huseby (88), Michael Roberts (87).
