Monday, May 20, 2013

Makarov, Blades neutralize Mooseheads

Press Release

Andrey Makarov was spectacular in net, stopping 27 shots to lead the Saskatoon Blades to a 5-2 victory over the Halifax Mooseheads in game three of the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

The Halifax Mooseheads got an early power-play opportunity, but they were unable to set up in the offensive zone and get any real good scoring chances.

The Blades opened the scoring at 12:11.

Matej Stransky was insistent in the crease and finally managed to push the puck past a sprawling Zachary Fucale.

Saskatoon retreated to their dressing room with a one-goal lead after the first 20 minutes of play. Andrey Makarov was solid in net, making 11 stops. The Blades goaltender was as stellar in the second frame, frustrating the Mooseheads offence which was unable to get anything going.

Stransky recorded his second goal of the game at 18:45 to enable Saskatoon to retreat to their dressing room with a two-goal lead.

It took the Blades all of 103 seconds to get a three goal advantage. Lukas Sutter kept at it in the crease, dislodging the puck off of Fucale’s skate and into the back of the net.

The Blades put the game out of reach a few minutes later on Darren Dietz marker less than one minute later.

Halifax was finally able to get on the board at 6:48. Stephen MacAulay one-timed a Konrad Abeltshauser pass behind Makarov. Nathan MacKinnon quieted the crowd a few minutes later with his second goal of the tournament, but it was too little too late.

The Blades scored an empty-net goal with just under two seconds to go, winning the game 5-2.

Game four of the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup will see the London Knights take on the Portland Winterhawks. The game can be seen live on Sportsnet and TVA Sports starting at 7 pm ET / 8 pm AT.


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

No comments: