WHL playoffs: Blades beat Rebels 6-3, avoid elimination

SASKATOON – The Saskatoon Blades refuse to go away without a fight.

After dropping the first three games of their Western Hockey League Eastern Conference semifinal series to the Red Deer Rebels, the Blades have battled to avoid elimination, winning 4-2 on Wednesday in Alberta, and 6-3 on Friday night at SaskTel Centre.

Egor Sidorov and Tanner Molendyk each scored twice for the Blades on home ice, while Aidan De La Gorgendiere and Jayden Wiens netted singles. Trevor Wong chipped in with three assists.

Kai Uchacz scored twice for the Rebels, while Ollie Josephson added a single.

The Blades outshot the Rebels 31-17, and led 3-2 after the first period and 4-3 heading into the third. The Blades went 3-for-6 on the power play, while the Rebels were 0-for-3.

Game 6 is scheduled for Sunday in Red Deer.

The winner of this series plays the winner of the Winnipeg ICE-Moose Jaw Warriors series, which is tied 2-2. Game 5 in that series is Saturday in Winnipeg.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023.