GAME 41 RECAP | Bananas squish Raiders 6-1, remain undefeated
Saskatoon, SK – Bananas is an understatement to describe tonight’s action inside SaskTel Centre.
Forward Misha Volotovskii’s first career two-goal game peeled the path for the The Saskatoon Bananas 6-1 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders.
Captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere and Rosetown, SK. product Vaughn Watterodt each dished a pair of assists, extending De La Gorgendiere’s point streak to four games.
It was a milestone night for Saskatoon defender Ben Saunderson, who tallied a helper in his 100th career WHL game. The 2004-born left-handed shot has one goal and six points this season.
The Bananas are the only undefeated team in WHL history, spotting a 2-0 franchise record.
After nearly ten months off from action, the Bananas came out ripe in this one. NHL draft-eligible defenceman Tanner Molendyk opened the fruit basket with his sixth goal of the season 41-seconds in. The third-year Banana picked up an assist later in the evening giving him 25 points in 40 games this season. Leading the team at +29, the McBride, BC. native heads to the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this Wednesday in Vancouver, BC. Molendyk, like a banana, is a slippery skater and scouts are picking up on it across the league.
You'll see this Banana at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game 🔥
Moly cleans up for his sixth goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/eKQTVSUopA
— Saskatoon Bananas (@BladesHockey) January 21, 2023
Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky followed up with another goal just over five-minutes later making it 2-0 Bananas. The former Bananas’ first-round pick went through a three-game drought on the scoresheet, but battled for position in the crease for his 22nd of the season. From Port Coquitlam, BC., Lisowsky has 41 points in 37 outings.
The power of the potassium compels you! 🚨
Lisowsky buries his 22nd of the year on the powerplay! 🍌 pic.twitter.com/yhJvx2oa3G
— Saskatoon Bananas (@BladesHockey) January 21, 2023
Grown and shipped from Calgary, AB., Banana forward Misha Volotovskii came with an extra dose of potassium in this game. The 17-year-old center scored goals two and three of the season 34-seconds apart. Volotovskii is always one of the Bananas most reliable in the defensive end, and his hard work paid off for him tonight. His last goal came Nov. 18th vs the Medicine Hat Tigers, and while the Monkey usually handles the banana, this time Volotovskii threw it off his back.
Misha Volotovskii says Y-ELLO to the scoresheet! pic.twitter.com/xkTpUq748w
— Saskatoon Bananas (@BladesHockey) January 21, 2023
Voltovskii goes top banana for his second goal in a minute 🤯🍌 pic.twitter.com/CpPC7sOi3A
— Saskatoon Bananas (@BladesHockey) January 21, 2023
All these tallies came in the first period, sending Saskatoon into intermission up 4-0. The Raiders made a goaltending change bring in Tikhon Chaika for the upcoming 40.
Remaining fresh, the Bananas scored 2:00 following the 20-minute rest. Bananas sniper Egor Sidorov found the back of the net for his fifth straight contest for his team-leading 25th tally of the season. It’s the NHL draft-eligible winger’s seventh goal in his last five games, and his ninth in his last eight. Vitebsk Belarus’ own Egor Sidorov seems to become a monster when dawning the iconic Banana’s threads, who’s now scored in both the franchise’s games. He scored two goals in the clubs debut on Apr. 1st last year in a 4-1 win against the Moose Jaw Warriors.
Conner Roulette with the sweet drag and Sidorov gets the tasty finish 😋 pic.twitter.com/Gp9Pwx36z0
— Saskatoon Bananas (@BladesHockey) January 21, 2023
The Raiders bruised the Bananas peel just under halfway through the game. Forward Sloan Stanick scored his 17th goal of the year to cut Saskatoon’s lead to 5-1.
Despite a minor stop in growth, the Bananas lead flourished once again. Baby Banana Jordan Keller with 3:05 left in the second put Saskatoon up 6-1. It’s been an impressive year for the 2005-born winger, who has seven goals and 18 points in 39 games. Missing several key offensive components such as Josh Pillar, Jayden Wiens, and Tyler Parr, Keller has taken extra ice time in stride on both ends of the ice.
Keller turns around and fires the puck where mom keeps the bananas 🍌 pic.twitter.com/vP25aAWHAl
— Saskatoon Bananas (@BladesHockey) January 21, 2023
It was a tame end to the game after that, as the Bananas didn’t slip on their lead, improving to 2-0 in franchise history.
What’s Next?
The Bananas and Raiders battle in a rematch tomorrow night in Prince Albert at the Art Hauser Centre.
Puck drop is 7:00pm.
BANANA JERSEY AUCTION
Want to own one of these delicious game-worn threads?
Our game-worn jersey auction is live! Bid now until 12:00pm Sunday, Jan. 29th, with all proceeds going to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation!
Bidding starts at $200.
Bid on your favourite Banana by CLICKING HERE
