GAME 64 RECAP | Wong feeds 100th career assist, Blades defeat Broncos
Saskatoon, SK – Some teams struggle on the road, that’s not the case for the Saskatoon Blades.
Forward Trevor Wong recorded three points, one being his 100th career WHL assist, in the Blades 3-2 victory over the Swift Current Broncos at InnovationPlex Wednesday.
Like a broken record, Blades rookie goaltender Austin Elliott was fantastic in the net stopping 29 of 31 shots, one of which might be save of the week.
The Blue and Gold played spoiler against the Broncos who are fighting tooth and nail for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with their eighth straight win on the road. Wednesday’s victory also secures a 3-1 season-series win over Swift Current this season.
Saskatoon boasts 95 points and a 45-14-4-1 with four games left to try and earn their fifth 100-point season in franchise history.
Not the start Saskatoon envisioned as Broncos forward Josh Davies opened the scoring 6:43 into the first frame. The Florida Panthers prospect’s 18th of the season contributes to his 31 points in 57 games. The 2004-born center ended a four-game goalless skid and hopes to continue finding the net as his club hunts down a playoff berth.
Saskatoon woke up following the Broncos tally and began keeping play in their opponents end. The Blades first goal however came as a result of a Broncos turnover at the Blue and Gold’s own blueline.
Forward Josh Pillar stripped the puck in the neutral zone after a bobbled puck by the Broncos came loose. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect gunned up the ice with alternate captain Wong alongside him for a 2-on-1. Pillar made a deceptive pass over to his linemate and Wong cashed in for goal 24 on the campaign 12:51 into the first period. The 19-year-old playmaker loves setting up his teammates but has a lethal shot whenever he deems fit.
Textbook 2-on-1 from Pillar and Wong 📘@MapleLeafs pic.twitter.com/5oc5R9QzMG
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 16, 2023
The Blades went to the box with 1:59 left in the period and killed it off to head into intermission tied at 1-1.
The first goal of the second came at the hands of Blades captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere 2:49 in. The pending WHL graduate fired home his 12th of the season with a point shot off the face-off. It’s the Langley, BC. product’s 62nd point in as many games on the campaign, and point 152 in his career. De La Gorgendiere now trails Blades’ legend Wendel Clark by three points for tenth in all-time points by a defenceman in Blades history.
They don't ask how, they ask how many.
That's 62 points in as many games this season for De La 😤 pic.twitter.com/GZwzMyg5AY
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 16, 2023
Swift Current came within inches of tying the game, but 6-foot-1 netminder Elliott pulled some voodoo magic for a save that’s surely bound to make the WHL’s Plays of the Week.
CONFIRMED 🚨 | AUSTIN ELLIOTT IS NOT FROM THIS PLANET 🤯#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/oOc5wAe9MJ
— x – Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 16, 2023
Everyone was ready to go the intermission with Saskatoon leading 2-1. Everybody except Blades defenceman Tanner Molendyk.
The NHL draft-eligible blueliner began the breakout and seconds later finished off an incredible rush by stopping on a dime in front of the Broncos’ crease. McBride, BC’s own now has nine goals and 36 points in 63 games this season. Wong recorded his second assist and third point of the evening with the primary dish. It’s a milestone apple for the 19-year-old playmaker notching his 100th career WHL assist, doing so in less than 200 games. Wong leads the club in points at 81 largely in part to his playmaking ability with 57 helpers in 64 games.
Swift Current fell short in a third period comeback attempt last Wednesday at SaskTel Centre, but forward Josh Filmon gave it his best shot with two goals. The New Jersey Devil’s draft pick tried once again tucking his team-leading 44th goal of the season just 1:59 into the final 20. The 6-foot-3 winger has 70 points in 59 games.
Net empty for the Broncos with under two-minutes to go, Saskatoon clamped down to get back in the win column. Chances presented itself for the home side but the Bridge City Bunch put their body on the line with blocks, while Elliott made more key stops in crunch time.
What’s Next?
The Blades return home to SaskTel Centre for a weekend double-header.
First is the Blue and Gold’s “Your Team Your Jersey” night brought to you by Real Canadian Superstore on Saturday. Ryker Marushak’s designed jersey will come to life on the ice when the boys take on the Brandon Wheat Kings for the final time in the regular season.
The following afternoon SaskTel Centre sees a record breaking crowd as Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats enter for a potential first round preview. With about 15,000 fans expected in attendance, don’t miss the electric atmosphere! Only about 400 tickets still remain!
