Edmonton, AB – The first 20 minutes in Edmonton was the Saskatoon Blades’ undoing as they gave up four unanswered goals to open the match, eventually going down 4-3 to the top team in the league following a valiant attempt at a comeback.

Nolan Maier made 40 saves to keep the Blades in contention, including a key penalty shot save in the second period following three straight goals by Saskatoon to get back in the game.

Penalty shot DENIED by Nolan Maier 🛑 pic.twitter.com/p8oLZNarcr — Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 5, 2020

Tristen Robins (12) scored the Blades’ first goal of the match on the power play early in the second frame, sniping truly at the top of the right circle from Eric Florchuk & Kyle Crnkovic.

#11 Tristen Robins strikes on the power play and we're on the board! 17:57 | 2nd pic.twitter.com/1SHAdFu9SO — Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 5, 2020

Next, Alex Morozoff & Riley McKay combined to set up Chase Wouters nicely in the slot where he drilled home his 16th goal of the season halve the Oil Kings’ lead.

We've halved their lead! Wouters strikes in the slot from McKay & Morozoff 🚨🚨 12:34 | 2nd pic.twitter.com/jg8DL50ilL — Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) January 5, 2020

The Blades then got back within one goal of the Edmonton courtesy of Randen Schmidt‘s first tally of the season. Colton Dach collected a blocked Majid Kaddoura shot on the left wing and fired his own shot on net which ricocheted off Schmidt and into the back of the net. The goal, Schmidt’s second of his WHL career, was scored on the same goaltender against whom Schmidt scored his first WHL goal on last season: Beck Warm

Beauty of an intermission quote from @BladesHockey

F Randen Schmidt, who has a puck go off his arm and in for his 1st goal in 62 games to get the Blades within one after trailing 4-0 early: "It's a goal scorer's goal." 😂😂 — Ryan Flaherty (@RFlahertyGlobal) January 5, 2020

The comeback was not to be, however, as a combination of strong defensive play from the Oil Kings and some penalties woes for the Blades prevented Saskatoon’s second period offensive groove from carrying into the final frame, allowing the final score to be set at 4-3 Edmonton.

The Blades will be back in action on Wednesday evening for Winning Wednesday against the Red Deer Rebels. The game is the first of a four game homestand for Saskatoon.

The Blades’ currently carry a 2-1-0-0 record against the Rebels, having most recently defeated them 4-3 in overtime in Red Deer on January 3rd.

Winning Wednesday means that if the Blades win every fan in attendance will leave with a free ticket to the Blades’ next home game.