Red Deer, AB – Blades’ Captain Chase Wouters (15) scored 3:35 into overtime on Friday evening in Red Deer to give Saskatoon an exciting 4-3 victory over the Rebels, their first win of 2020.

After falling behind to the Rebels’ twice, Saskatoon’s 20-year-old veteran blueliners Scott Walford (8) & Nolan Kneen (7) each tallied a power play goal to tie the game up in the first and second periods, respectively. Walford was assisted by Kyle Crnkovic & Eric Florchuk, while helpers went to Matej Toman & Aidan De La Gorgendiere on Kneen’s highlight-reel goal.

The Blades then took their first lead of the game 15:47 into the second period through Crnkovic (9). With a strong backcheck and pressure down low, Tristen Robins, Jayden Wiens & Crnkovic combined to take a flurry of closed ranged shots on net with Crnkovic’s top shelf shot eventually going in.

Red Deer tied the game back up 3-3 early in the third and from there on Nolan Maier was made to answer the call by making 11 saves in both the second & third periods to ensure the game went to overtime.

Maier with another big as we near the end of regulation with the scores still locked at 3-all 🧱 pic.twitter.com/9r0mYqaCuT — Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 4, 2020

Once in the extra frame, the Blades struck through a set play. In a similar fashion used against the Prince Albert Raiders earlier this year, Wouters won the face-off back to Walford who shot a stretch pass up the wing to a racing Robins. Robins collected the puck and drove to the net, hanging on to it until the last second when he dished it off to his left at point blank for Wouters’ to collect the game winning goal.

Walford ➡️ Robins ➡️ Wouters = Blades OT win! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Fa4U5qby70 — Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 4, 2020

The Blades now travel to Edmonton where they will play the Western Hockey League leading Oil Kings on Sunday. Puck drop is at 3pm CST and with the game being broadcast on Sportsnet.