Saskatoon Blades 2004/2005 Season Thread

I thought it would be cool if we had a thread and everytime someone went to a game, they could post about who they thought played well and give a little scouting report!

So if you go to a game, let us know what happens!!

Thanks to douggy who gave me the idea for this thread

I went to the Blades first game in the Ice breaker tournament on friday. For those of you who dont know what the Ice breaker tournament is it is a tournment that is held in Sasdkatoon every year and has 4 participating teams. Those 4 teams are Swift Current, Prince George, Prince Albert, and of course Saskatoon. The Game i went to was between Saskatoon and Prince Albert whicch Saskatoon won 4-2. Last year the blades came in last with only 7 wins, bit I think they looked much better this year then they did in any of the games i went to last year. The Stars of the game in my opinion were Nicolaus Knudsen and Kyle Chipchura. I see why the Canadens picked him 18 overall. he is not a flashy skater but he can shoot and handle the puck well and has a good hockey sense. The only thing bad about the game is that there were only 2 fights and they were not that great. There were only 2 fights because if you fight you get a game misconduct in this tournament which i think is a stupid rule. Overall, the game had a fast pace, alot of penalties, and alot of shots. I think the shots were tied 34-34.

Well I've seen the Blades twice so far in the preseason. They won both of the games I saw (both against Prince Albert). From the two games that I saw, I think the Blades will perform much better this season than last. I guess its not all that easy to do that though.

The players that have impressed most are Devin Setoguchi, Ryan Keller, Paul Brown and Joe Barnes up front, and Nicholas Knudsen, Mike Green and Dalyn Flatt amongst the D. Brown may not return from Nashville's AHL affiliate (Milwaukee). Of the rookies, I was most impressed with Justin McCrae. He is pretty gritty, and I could see him turning into a Warren Peters like player.

One of the harder decisions for the Blades will be with the goalies. None of the four have really stuck out, meaning none have played exceptional and none have played terrible. I think Molleken will make a decision sometime this weekend.

The goaltending picture is a little clearer now that Hunt has been dealt to Spokane. Ward, Cyr, and Monette are battling for two spots.

Keller and Setoguchi have been the Blades two best forwards so far in the preseason. Barnes has played pretty well but can do better, and I haven't noticed Rabbitt much at all so I hope he picks it up.

On defence Green and Flatt have been the two best. Edwards played pretty well in the Blades last pre season game in Prince Albert.

I can see Molleken going after another 20 to fill the same type of role Brown would have been in. Size, toughness, with some scoring a guy who makes the rest of the team play two inches taller. Then if Brown does miraculously comes available later in the season trading or releasing Cyr and having Ward and Monette in net.

How did Bohensky look?

Brown will be around this weekend against Moose Jaw, but Milwaukee hasn't started training camp yet. Mollekon says he's going to play him a ton.

If Brown goes, Rabbit's got the #1 centre job. If Brown goes, I think Cyr will stay as a 20 year old. Brown's situation is what will determine our goaltending situation, believe it or not.

any updates on how Björn Svensson has performed so far would be appreciated.

Now that Svensson has fully recovered from his wrist problems Blades fans are starting to see what he can bring to the table. Strong quick passes and a better shot. He has good vision, average to slightly above average speed. Bjorn is currently on the third line, and is on the second power play unit. He has a goal and an assist in two games. He looks bigger and is playing stronger.

Bjorn Scored An Amazing Goal at the home opener :lol

Speaking of amazing goals, WOW did Devin Setoguchi ever score a beautiful goal on Saturday or what. For those of you that didn't see it, here's how it went: Setoguchi either picked up a rebound or took a pass (I can't remember) from the top of the right hash, he then proceeded to circle to the blue line, deke out three Moose Jaw Warriors' players, before finally reaching the net and deking out the Moose Jaw goalie on an inside, outside move. By the sounds of it - he may sound like a puck hog in such a case, but you could see he had his head up the whole way looking for an open pass, but it wasn't there.

Yeah, Setogouchi's goal was pretty. I used to play hockey with Kevin Dziaduck, the Warriors' goalie on that play (it was the only goal he allowed in relief that night, he started the night before). Great to see him back in the WHL.

The Keller-Rabbit-Bader line was incredible. Wacey appears to be back on track (3 goals, 2 assists), and a lot more fiesty this year. Goes to show that last season, for everyone, just needs to be forgotten. Time to build on the success of two years ago, and forget last year even happened.

Now that Svensson has fully recovered from his wrist problems Blades fans are starting to see what he can bring to the table. Strong quick passes and a better shot. He has good vision, average to slightly above average speed. Bjorn is currently on the third line, and is on the second power play unit. He has a goal and an assist in two games. He looks bigger and is playing stronger.

thanks, good to hear.

Blades 5 Hitmen 1

Well the blades are off to a hot start with 3 wins in their first 3 games. I went to the game today which ended 5-1 in the Blades favour. 7 minutes in Bahensky (I think it was him) stole the puck from a hitmen defencemen and was off on a breakaway. He faked a shot and then wristed it into the top right corner. The last goal was scored when Leckovic was skatng with the puck on the left side and cut across when he hit the Hitmens blueline. He then wristed a shot right through the goalies five hole. The hitmens goal was scored by Getzlaf when a blades defencemen (I cant remember who) gave him the puck right in front of the net. It was a penalty filled game with 1 fight. The flames went 0/12 on the power play and the Blades went 0/5.

Three Stars:
1. Ryan Cyr
2. Ryan Keller
3. Chris Cloud

The attendence was 4786 and usually the Expos (MLB) only have a attendence of 3000!
Fun Fact: The Saskatoon Blades won their first back to back games this year since march 2003. They didnt even have back to back wins last year!

Summary Sheet: http://www.saskatoonblades.com/index.html

Saskatoon has acquired Tyler Boldt and Jamieson Orr from the Brandon Wheat Kings for a pair of picks.

Boldt should be a solid addition for the power play, and I'm hoping Molleken can get the full potential out of Orr he could prove to be the type of player who creates room for his teammates.

Thanks guys, for keeping an transplanted Blade fan in the loop. I look forward to your future postings on Saskatoon's team.

Wacey Rabbit won WHL player of the week. He and Keller are battling for the league scoring lead. The little guy is turning some heads, again. Could be a huge year for him.

Blades equal last season's win total! How sweet it is! :handclap:

Blades go 4-1-1 on a B.C. roadtrip. Top it off with a 4-1 win in Vancouver last night, in which backup Adam Ward stops 40 shots. Setogouchi got a hat trick against Prince George, and two against the Giants.

We might have the top offensive team in the WHL on our hands. :)

I haven't been to any games yet but will pop into Credit Union Center
for some when i have time.

I live outside of toon town and am 65 miles away, and 100 from PA,
100 from The Jaw and 100 from Regina so i would like to get to all four places this winter.

good job on getting the blades thread up and keep up the good work :yo: :yo: :yo:

So is anyone actually going to the Blades games this year or what. It seems to me that no matter how they do, they still get lackluster crowds considering that Saskatoon is a pretty big city, population wise, in the context of the WHL.

the attendence issue probably has something to do with ticket prices. They are way to much. 13 for Adults 11 for Students and 7 for kids. But if they start winning the crowds end up being fairly solid. Like for the game this friday I would expect somewhere around 6000 to 7000 people there with the way the season is going right now.

the attendence issue probably has something to do with ticket prices. They are way too much. 13 for Adults 11 for Students and 7 for kids.

Is that a lot compared to the other Eastern Conference teams? Here in Seattle almost all the seats are $20usd and most of the other teams in the US division have $20 seats.

the attendence issue probably has something to do with ticket prices. They are way to much. 13 for Adults 11 for Students and 7 for kids. But if they start winning the crowds end up being fairly solid. Like for the game this friday I would expect somewhere around 6000 to 7000 people there with the way the season is going right now.

It's about a half hour drive to the CUC for most residents not in the Confed area or the North end. A lot of the city lives on the opposite end of town. The CUC couldn't be located in a worse spot... well, on the Southwest end it would be, but that's it.

Ticket prices aren't the main issue. They are reasonable.

But I agree. We just came off a 7 win season. Crowds will increase if the team continues to win and winter settles in permanently. Compared to the turn of the century, crowds are good (and were last year).

Is that a lot compared to the other Eastern Conference teams? Here in Seattle almost all the seats are $20usd and most of the other teams in the US division have $20 seats.

a couple of the games I took in Swift a couple of years ago where 2 bucks for a ticket. But you stood around the top of the rink. I am not to sure what a ticket price for being in a seat where. I really had no idea the ticket prices where that much in seattle. But over the years the ticket prices here have steadly gone up over the years here. Also another good point was with the location of the CUC. It really is in a terrible location. There is no residential around there at all.

Location has nothing to do with attendance, it's an excuse! How's the saying go from Costner's Field Of Dreams... If you build it, they will come. In the case of the Blades over the last number of years (excluding their 40 win campaign two season past) they have not given fans much of a reason to drive out.

Over 6,000 for Friday nights game against Kootenay. A game where the team did not have their best effort against a strong skating aggresive forechecking Kootenay side. Ryan Cyr preserved the win for the Blades making a lot of big stops. Keller with a huge effort to get the puck in front to Rabbitt for the game winner.

Location has nothing to do with attendance, it's an excuse! How's the saying go from Costner's Field Of Dreams... If you build it, they will come. In the case of the Blades over the last number of years (excluding their 40 win campaign two season past) they have not given fans much of a reason to drive out.

Over 6,000 for Friday nights game against Kootenay. A game where the team did not have their best effort against a strong skating aggresive forechecking Kootenay side. Ryan Cyr preserved the win for the Blades making a lot of big stops. Keller with a huge effort to get the puck in front to Rabbitt for the game winner.

You're right in saying that Saskatoon will support a winner. However the stadium location has been controversial from day one. The rink should have been build downtown.

Saskatoon won again last night! The score was 6-2. Alot has changed since last season.

6-2 win last nite even though it was against the amazing moose jaw warriors it still is two points

This saturday against Everett. They are retiring the number of Brent Ashton along the side of Wendel Clark, Brian Skrudland and Bernie Federko

the attendence issue probably has something to do with ticket prices. They are way to much. 13 for Adults 11 for Students and 7 for kids. But if they start winning the crowds end up being fairly solid. Like for the game this friday I would expect somewhere around 6000 to 7000 people there with the way the season is going right now.
Way too much? Are you kidding? For a night of awesome entertainment, that is great value. Here in Brandon, the ticket prices are very similar to yours and I count my lucky stars how cheap it is to get entertained. Individual tickets in Brandon are $14 (adult) ; $11 (seniors & GEN X (19-30)); and $6 (children). My season tickets only cost me $350 which is great value when you consider you are getting thirty some evenings of entertainment.

Way too much? Are you kidding? For a night of awesome entertainment, that is great value. Here in Brandon, the ticket prices are very similar to yours and I count my lucky stars how cheap it is to get entertained. Individual tickets in Brandon are $14 (adult) ; $11 (seniors & GEN X (19-30)); and $6 (children). My season tickets only cost me $350 which is great value when you consider you are getting thirty some evenings of entertainment.

last year was anything but great entertainment. There still to much I think

6-2 win last nite even though it was against the amazing moose jaw warriors it still is two points

This saturday against Everett. They are retiring the number of Brent Ashton along the side of Wendel Clark, Brian Skrudland and Bernie Federko
Not only will they be retiring Ashton's number on Saturday night, but Theresa Sokyrka will be singing the national anthem and performing at the intermission.:naughty:

I still believe that Theresa Sokyrka used to live in the apartment across the hall from me... no one cares about Idol after it's done! Why do they bother with these promos?

Anyways, hopefully I'll get to the Tri-City game next week instead.

Wow 10500 tonight for a game against a US division team. Good job! I'd be ecstatic to ever see that many people at a Seattle game again.

Time to revive this thread.

The Blades are on a 4 game winning streak and are playing the Medicine Hat Tigers here at the CUC on Friday. A win here could vault the Blades to the consensus #1 team in the WHL. After that, they travel to Red Deer for a Saturday tilt against a team that has always given us troubles.

And Joe Barnes is heating up. A hat trick last night, close to one against the Pats last week.

The Blades are ranked 5th in the country, but could be higher by the end of this weekend.

As a Cap's fan, I'm pretty happy with Mike Green. His stats are great and he's the Captain of a great team. He also got into a couple of fights early on. I'm sure you guys like having him, but I'm hoping he'll turn pro and play in Portland(Maine/AHL) next season.

The Blades are ranked 5th in the country, but could be higher by the end of this weekend.

Hey watch the language there. There are teams from outside Canada, you know. :) We (Seattle) were ranked 6th last week.

Tonight's game against Medicine Hat will definitely show how good the Blades really are. It'll be an interesting game, with the best offensive team playing the best defensive team. Medicine Hat is pretty good offensively as well, though the Blades defense and goaltending has been pretty good as of late.

Regardless, it will be a good game and I will be there. I can post some post game comments later tonight.

I will be there in spirit but not knowing what is going on at all

Hey watch the language there. There are teams from outside Canada, you know. :) We (Seattle) were ranked 6th last week.

Sorry.
:)

But since all the teams above us are located in Canada, it was technically still true.

Brutal result against MEdicine Hat. The score didn't exactly reflect any domination by Medicine Hat, but the better team did win. Some boneheaded mistakes by the Blades leading to turnovers and odd man rushes.

In short, the Tigers are still better, and the Blades have things to learn, but as the season goes on, the gap can still be closed by the younger team.

Yikes. What a skid the Blades have hit... The offense seems to be drying up... Just a phase? One would think so with the likes of Green, Keller, Rabbit, Setoguchi, Barnes, and Bahensky...

Brandon can still catch us. This team needs to get inspired quickly.

Hopefully Green doesnt make team Canada

Hopefully Green doesnt make team Canada
I understand the thought that goes behind that sentiment, but I wouldn't wish for a Blades player to not succeed. I hope he makes it and plays above the relatively low expectations that seem to be surrounding him regarding the WJC's. It's his only chance at the WJC he's got left.

Meanwhile, it could be a tough stretch for the Blades, with Svensson going to the WJCs just as he's starting to heat up, and likely Bahensky going as well.

I understand the thought that goes behind that sentiment, but I wouldn't wish for a Blades player to not succeed. I hope he makes it and plays above the relatively low expectations that seem to be surrounding him regarding the WJC's. It's his only chance at the WJC he's got left.

Meanwhile, it could be a tough stretch for the Blades, with Svensson going to the WJCs just as he's starting to heat up, and likely Bahensky going as well.

It could be a tough stretch but I think it will be beneficial in the end, especially if Green makes Team Canada as I hope he does. It will force the Blades to play a number of games without their #1 defenseman. Unfortunately we lost Haw as well, which further weakens our back end. I do think it will prove that the Blades need one more experienced defenseman to do any damage in the playoffs.

It could be a tough stretch but I think it will be beneficial in the end, especially if Green makes Team Canada as I hope he does. It will force the Blades to play a number of games without their #1 defenseman. Unfortunately we lost Haw as well, which further weakens our back end. I do think it will prove that the Blades need one more experienced defenseman to do any damage in the playoffs.

What about goal? Do you think the Blades should go for broke and land a more accomplished goalie for the playoffs? After all, this is possibly Green's last year with the team (he'll be 20 next year), and that's a void that'll be tough to fill for a run the next season, although we'll still have the majority of our key players back the next year (except Keller).

And what happened with Haw? Saw him playing on Friday, did he get hurt in the rematch in PA?

Personally, if Green makes the team, it'll be better for the Blades in the long run. Especially if Canada wins. Green isn't the type of guy to coast the rest of the year (as Seabrook was accused of in Lethbridge). He'll be even more motivated to win.

What about goal? Do you think the Blades should go for broke and land a more accomplished goalie for the playoffs? After all, this is possibly Green's last year with the team (he'll be 20 next year), and that's a void that'll be tough to fill for a run the next season, although we'll still have the majority of our key players back the next year (except Keller).

And what happened with Haw? Saw him playing on Friday, did he get hurt in the rematch in PA?

Personally, if Green makes the team, it'll be better for the Blades in the long run. Especially if Canada wins. Green isn't the type of guy to coast the rest of the year (as Seabrook was accused of in Lethbridge). He'll be even more motivated to win.

Goal is something else I've questioned. Cyr has played well, but I think at the very least an experienced backup should be picked up. Depending on the price I'd also look at Slade from Regina. He is on the block and if Molleken could cool him down somehow it could definitely improve the Blades greatly.

I'm kinda torn between thinking the Blades should make a run this year or next. They lose Keller, Cyr, Boldt and possibly Green. I think they remain as good or better next season so long as Green comes back, but thats an unknown at this point.

Haw was injured in his fight on Friday night. He has a broken thumb I believe and is out indefinitely, though I'm sure it will only end up being maybe a month or so. With Christmas coming, chances are he will only miss 10-15 games max... or so I hope.

Hopefully Green doesnt make team Canada
I agree with Saskhab, I am pulling for Greener that he makes it. For any Blade that puts on that jersey, I hope that they succeed - regardless of whether they have to miss games for it (Bahensky, Svensson, McCrae also). If making this team gives Green an even better chance at a pro career, then so be it.

Even if players no longer play for the Blades, I will still cheer for them to succeed. For example, when I saw in the Seattle-Regina highlights the other night that Derek Courture scored - I cheered outloud. It's too bad things didn't work out with Coach here, but I hope he plays well for Seattle.

Haw getting injured is a huge blow to this team and with Green possibly making team Canada we will be without our top 2 defencemen for 4 games or something :(

Ryan Keller is having a spectacular year. I consider him as one of the most underrated players in the wub!!!

I agree with Saskhab, I am pulling for Greener that he makes it. For any Blade that puts on that jersey, I hope that they succeed - regardless of whether they have to miss games for it (Bahensky, Svensson, McCrae also). If making this team gives Green an even better chance at a pro career, then so be it.

Even if players no longer play for the Blades, I will still cheer for them to succeed. For example, when I saw in the Seattle-Regina highlights the other night that Derek Courture scored - I cheered outloud. It's too bad things didn't work out with Coach here, but I hope he plays well for Seattle.

couture has been a big asset for seattle...we are very happy to have him...he is on a line with gagnon and scurko that is simply amazing...a great line

and I see bader is doing well for you guys...which I am happy to see...he's a good guy and a good player...it just never quite worked for him here in seattle

and, I also agree with you...although I am a die hard t-bird fan...I'm a hockey fan first and foremost...and I appreciate a good player, regardless of whom he plays for...and I love to see these guys succeed and live out their dreams...even if it "hurts" my team

well, we got Green back. Bad decision by Sutter, but now Green has a chip on his shoulder for the rest of the year.

Blades won today 4-3 over Regina! Setoguchi got a hatrick, Green got a goal, Barnes had 4 assists and Bader had 2 assists! There was also 6 fights!

How did Green do in his fight? I've noticed that he's had two or three this season. How is he as a fighter?

The Blades right now are the best of a pretty ho hum East Division. With a couple of moves the team could be in a position to make a run through a few rounds of the playoffs.

What I'm thinking and this is if Paul Brown is returned to the team is packaging up Rabbitt and Keller for a top flight d man somebody like Cam Barker or Shawn Belle.

Then take a d man one of either Flatt, Haw, or Crowley with a pick for a forward to help the top two lines. Moose Jaw is down and out and with Molleken's knowledge of the Warriors could he get Boyd or Brouwer?

If Brown is not returned I'm still dealing Rabbitt and a pick for some d help it wouldn't be enough to get a Barker or Belle but still should be able to get a pretty decent return.

The Blades right now are the best of a pretty ho hum East Division. With a couple of moves the team could be in a position to make a run through a few rounds of the playoffs.

What I'm thinking and this is if Paul Brown is returned to the team is packaging up Rabbitt and Keller for a top flight d man somebody like Cam Barker or Shawn Belle.

Then take a d man one of either Flatt, Haw, or Crowley with a pick for a forward to help the top two lines. Moose Jaw is down and out and with Molleken's knowledge of the Warriors could he get Boyd or Brouwer?

If Brown is not returned I'm still dealing Rabbitt and a pick for some d help it wouldn't be enough to get a Barker or Belle but still should be able to get a pretty decent return.

Both of those defencemen we will not be able to get. Medicine Hat and Tri Cities are still both in the playoffs why would they trade their top d man away

You deal from strength to address areas of weakness. MH is deep on defense and Barker if there is an NHL next season will not be back. Stoner and Festerling are capable of picking up the extra load in Tri and again if there is an NHL next season Belle will not be back either.

You deal from strength to address areas of weakness. MH is deep on defense and Barker if there is an NHL next season will not be back. Stoner and Festerling are capable of picking up the extra load in Tri and again if there is an NHL next season Belle will not be back either.

There both pp quarterbacks for their team. Top DMan from their respective teams there is no chance of Barker being traded I dont think. I would not call Medicine Hat weak offensively they got some guys who can score goals. Not to sure about Tri Cities and their forwards though. I just do not see a playoff team trading away their top defensemen for more forward depth.

Caught the Hitman - Blades game tonight. Super cold so the crowd was quite small. Fairly lackluster game with the Hitman peppering Saskatoon with 40+ shots and winning 4-3. Joe Barnes played great and looks like a solid prospect. Good on faceoffs, scored a beauty on a one-timer, and showed pretty good hustle.

Setaguchi was very quiet and seemed to coast all night. Keller was quiet and Rabbit invisible. Green looked good and bad. Some nice offensive skills but dumb, dumb penalties. Quite like the young kid, McCrae. He got lots of ice time and played very well with some fiestiness. Got a late misconduct trying to get at and scrap one of the Hitman. Blades defense looks slowwwwwww. Goaltending looks like it could be a bit suspect.

Tough to guage from one viewing. Wonderful to see the resurgence from last year's fiasco but I'm not sure this team can go very far in the playoffs. Regardless, masterful job by Molleken and Mercier who looks like a very active, teacher, and motivator behind the bench.

Setaguchi was very quiet and seemed to coast all night.
Setoguchi and Bader both have had the flu for a few days, so I wouldn't fault either of them if they didn't have their best games. However, the rest of the team should have picked up the slack. And some did - I see Ryan Menei had another goal. And since you said Keller and Rabbit weren't anything special and judging from the highlights neither was Cyr, I can see why the Blades lost. :shakehead

Im hearing that a whole bunch of blade are/were sick. Setaguchi, Menie, Bader, Rabbit, Eisenkirch and possibly more, this is bad.

Im hearing that a whole bunch of blade are/were sick. Setaguchi, Menie, Bader, Rabbit, Eisenkirch and possibly more, this is bad.

The flu is going around. Setoguchi and Bader for sure have it, and I'm sure a few others had it or are getting it. Not good timing for it though as the Blades play 4 games in 5 nights against some pretty good teams in Red Deer, Lethbridge, Kooteney and Brandon. If they can go 2-2 through all that I'd be happy.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the additional information. Not a lot of Dub details around Cow Town so I didn't know about the flu effect. This indeed looks like a tough time in their schedule.

By the way, I appreciate the periodic postings and updates about my hometown Blades. Please keep it coming!