Late comeback not enough in Blades loss to Seattle

Despite being outplayed and out-chanced for the majority of the night, the Saskatoon Blades somehow made it close in a 4-3 loss to Seattle Tuesday night.

It was a tough start for goalie Logan Flodell, who was pulled in the second period after three powerplay goals for Seattle.

“I felt sorry for him with the way we were playing I didn’t want him to be embarrassed in front of his old team,” said Blades head coach Dean Brockman.

It was Flodell’s first game since being traded from the Thunderbirds to the Blades and a day that started off well for the 19-year-old goalie. With six wins, two shutouts and a league-leading .940 save percentage, the Regina native was named the WHL goalie of the month for October.

“He’s played so well for us and he deserved better and all the boys are pretty embarrassed that we let him down,” said Blades forward Ryan Graham.

Down 3-0 in the second, the Blades turned to Brock Hamm in goal and the switch seemed to spark the offense momentarily. Michael Farren took a loose puck and sniped it top shelf for his first ever WHL goal.

“We showed at the end that we can do anything and (try to) come from behind,” the 16-year-old B.C native said post game.

GOOOAAAAALLL!!!! Michael Farren snipes his 1st career goal to get the Blades on the board! pic.twitter.com/FNUEaUbPmz

— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) November 2, 2016

Not long after the Farren spark was cancelled out by another Seattle goal for a 4-1 lead into the third period.

All of a sudden, Saskatoon found their legs, started completing their passes, and got back into the game. Josh Paterson whacked in a loose puck and Mason McCarty put a no-look backhander top shelf to make it a one-goal game in the final minute.

“For whatever reason we couldn’t get it going early,” said head coach Dean Brockman. “We talk about effort every day and I can’t put a handle on it but when we’re good, we’re good and when we’re not, we’re not.”

Flodell and Hamm split the loss as the Blades were out shot 33-24, which started with a 15-4 advantage for Seattle. The Thunderbirds also dominated the special teams, going 3 for 6 on the powerplay and killing off all four of Saskatoon’s chances with the man advantage. 

A tough test is up next for Saskatoon, who head to Regina to face a Pats team that has yet to lose in regulation. The two rivals clash Friday night at the Brandt Centre.