GAME 64 PREVIEW | De La Gorgendiere chases history, Blades play Broncos

WHL REGULAR SEASON | Game 64 | Saskatoon Blades (44-14-4-1) @ Swift Current Broncos (28-30-1-3)
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Tonight
The Saskatoon Blades (44-14-4-1) roll into Swift Current Wednesday to challenge the Broncos (28-30-1-3) at InnovationPlex.
Tonight’s the final regular season encounter between the two Saskatchewan teams. The Blades hope to finish the series 3-1 after winning the last meeting exactly a week ago 5-3. Blades’ forward Josh Pillar recorded two goals in the effort while captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere cracked 150 career WHL points with a three-point performance. Goalie Ethan Chadwick turned into a brick wall stopping 36 of 39 shots, 16 of which came in the third period.
Saskatoon is determined to come out swinging following an uncharacteristic 8-1 loss to the Prince Albert Raiders on home-ice Sunday. The defeat ended the Blades’ seven-game win streak and capped their point streak off at 12 games.
Despite the stumble, the Blue and Gold remain a dominant threat in the WHL sitting third in the Eastern Conference with 93 points. That total is good enough for fourth in the league as the Bridge City Bunch hunt their fifth 100-point season in franchise history.
Who to Watch
20-year-old defenceman Aidan De La Gorgendiere has thrived vs the Broncos this season. In three games vs their neighbours to the south, the pending WHL graduate has one goal and five assists. The 6-foot-1 Langley, BC. native is averaging a point-per game in his final WHL season with 61 in as many outings. De La Gorgendiere is five points away from claiming sole possession of tenth for points by a defenceman in Blades’ history currently at 151 in 244 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Brandon Lisowsky scored the lone goal for Saskatoon Sunday vs the Raiders. The first period snipe tied the 5-foot-9 winger’s career-high of 33 set last year in a full 68-game slate. In 60 contests this season, the Port Coquitlam, BC. product has also tacked on 30 assists for 63 points. Playoffs are right around the corner and Lisowsky is a gamechanger putting up five points in as many postseason showings last season.
Lisowsky said Imma take it from here 😤 @MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/OiMVTGb7L1
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 12, 2023