Saskatoon Blades fall to Calgary Hitmen at home, trail WHL series 3-0

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Outshot, outscored and, now, nearly out of chances. That’s the Saskatoon Blades right now.

The Blades, who on Tuesday were looking to get back into their Western Hockey League first-round playoff series versus the Calgary Hitmen, instead fell into a deeper deficit. In front of 5,206 fans, the visitors claimed Game 3 with a 4-1 victory to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Through three games, the Blades have been outscored by a combined 13-4 and outshot by double: 122 to 61.

On Tuesday, the Blades trailed 1-0 after the first period and 3-1 after the second.

The Hitmen outshot the Blades on Tuesday by a 30-21 margin.

Four different Hitmen scored in the Game 3 victory.

David Adasynski notched a late first-period goal, before David Lewandoski answered back for the home side early in the second frame.

Calgary’s Tanner Howe sniped the eventual game-winner for the visitors midway through the game. And just 85 seconds later, it was Ben Kindel with insurance for the Hitmen. For both, it was second tallies of the series.

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In the final period, Connor Hvidston got his first goal of these playoffs to provide Calgary some insurance.

Hitmen defenceman Hunter Aura recorded two assists in the victory.

The teams return to Sasktel Centre on Wednesday for Game 4. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

*****

(3) Calgary Hitmen (45-17-3-3) v. 6) Saskatoon Blades (37-23-4-4)

(Hitmen lead Eastern Conference quarterfinal best-of-seven series 3-0)

GAME 1: Hitmen 4, Blades 2

GAME 2: Hitmen 5, Blades 1

GAME 3: Hitmen 4, Blades 1

WEDNESDAY: @ SaskTel Centre, 7 p.m.

*FRIDAY, April 4: @ Saddledome, 7 p.m.

*SUNDAY, April 6: @ SaskTel Centre, 4 p.m.

*TUESDAY, April 8: @ Saddledome, 7 p.m.

* — if necessary

Saskatoon Blades fans react during WHL playoff action at SaskTel Centre against the visiting Calgary Hitmen. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

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