Blades slide past Thunderbirds in milestone game for Volcan

Seattle captain Nolan Volcan had a goal and an assist in his 300th career game as a Thunderbird on Tuesday night, a 4-3 Western Hockey League loss to the Saskatoon Blades at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatchewan.

Volcan, who is in his fifth season with the T-Birds, has 88 goals and 125 assists for 213 points. Volcan has nine goals and 12 assists in 49 career playoff games.

This was the third game of a six-game road trip through the East Division. The T-Birds are 1-2-0-0 on the road trip, which continues against the Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday. The last two games are Friday against the Moose Jaw Warriors and Saturday against the Swift Current Broncos.

Seattle jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 6:35 of the first period. Jared Davidson won a faceoff in the right circle back to Zach Ashton at the right point. Davidson and Tyler Carpendale, playing left wing, screened Saskatoon goalie Dorrin Luding as Ashton took a wrist shot, beating Luding low for his first career WHL goal.

Saskatoon tied the game 1-1 at 15:24 of the first period on Kyle Crnkovic’s goal.

The Blades went in front 2-1 at 17:30 of the first on Josh Paterson’s power-play goal.

Volcan tied the game 2-2 with 36 seconds left in the first. Matthew Wedman won a faceoff in the right zone back to Tyrel Bauer at the right point. Bauer skated forward and then dropped the puck for Volcan who skated into the high slot. Volcan beat Luding five-hole with a wrist shot for his 15th goal of the season.

Both teams had 12 shots on goal in the first period.

A great play by Volcan as the team played four-on-four gave the T-Birds a 3-2 lead at 4:36 of the second period. Volcan battled through a Blades defenseman as the puck was heading to the right corner of the offensive zone. Just below the right faceoff circle, Volcan was able to backhand the puck to Wedman in the low slot. Wedman chipped the puck over the outstretched right pad of Luding for his 13th goal of the season.

Saskatoon tied the game 3-3 at 13:49 of the second on Chase Wouters’ goal.

Eric Florchuk put the Blades in front 4-3 at 17:20 of the second.

Seattle pulled goalie Cole Schwebius with 1:22 left in the game for the extra attacker. The T-Birds kept the pressure on Luding but were not able to get the tying goal.

Seattle outshot Saskatoon 36-32 in the game.

Schwebius had 28 saves on 32 shots as Luding had 33 saves on 36 shots.

Home ice

The T-Birds’ next home game is 6:05 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, against the Victoria Royals at the accesso ShoWare Center. Single-game tickets are on sale online on the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare box office.

Fans who purchase the 24-flex ticket package will be able to select any available premium seat for any game, in any ticket combination, during the 2018-19 season.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Davidson 2 (Ashton, Mount), 6:35. 2, Saskatoon, Crnkovic 4 (Florchuk), 15:24. 3, Saskatoon, Paterson 14 (Crnkovic, Malysjev), 17:30 (pp). 4, Seattle, Volcan 15 (Bauer, Wedman), 19:24. Penalties – Wouters, Sas (interference), 1:49. Tyszka, Sea (slashing), 15:47.

Second period – 5, Seattle, Wedman 13 (Volcan), 4:36. 6, Saskatoon, Wouters 25 (Gerlach, Davidson) 13:49. 7, Saskatoon, Florchuk 11 (De La Gorgendiere, Crnkovic), 17:20. Penalties – Davidson, Sea (roughing), 3:55. McKay, Sas (roughing), 3:55. Bench, Sea (too many men-served by Mount), 8:41.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – Wouters, Sas (major-fighting), 6:33. Wedman, Sea (major-fighting), 6:33. Rybinski, Sea (high-sticking), 10:26. Crnkovic, Sas (tripping), 12:26.

Shots on goal – Seattle 12-15-9 36, Saskatoon 12-6-14 32. Goalies – Seattle, Schwebius 32 shots-28 saves (1-5-1-0); Saskatoon, Luding 36-33 (5-4-1-0). Power plays – Seattle 0-2; Saskatoon 1-3. A – 3,037. Referees – Fraser Lawrence, Brian MacDonald. Linesmen – Tanner McGregor, Devan Thiessen.