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While most fans at SaskTel Centre on Friday night were treated to the home debut of Fraser Minten, their attention quickly shifted to the night Egor Sidorov had.
Sidorov had a hat trick and four points in the Saskatoon Blades’ 4-2 victory over the Red Deer Rebels, pushing his team-leading goal total to 28 on the season.
What made the night so special for Sidorov was his family from Belarus was in attendance to watch him play in the WHL for the first time.
“We win and it doesn’t matter how many I score and it’s good for the win. It’s very nice my parents watched that, so I’m really happy,” Sidorov said after the game.
His parents arrived in Saskatoon on Monday and are staying with his billet parents. He said all week they’ve been talking and cooking him some classic Belarusian food.
“My parents make me a little Belarusian food and my dad just say, ‘Play simple and get the team to win.’ (They made) Belarusian potatoes, chicken, salad — everything is different,” he laughed.
He had a message for them after the game in Russian, but translated it to English for reporters.
“(I) thank them for everything and their support. I’m happy they came to Canada and support me here. I love them so much,” Sidorov said.
Blades head coach Brennan Sonne was also thrilled to see Sidorov get his hat trick.
“I’m just happy he got to do that in front of his parents,” he said. “He came to this organization at 17 without speaking the language.
“War breaks out in that region, he learns English, he stays in Saskatoon over the first summer, didn’t get drafted (to the NHL) his first year, does (get drafted into the NHL) his second year and now his parents have been able to come here for the first time. Going through all that and to get a hat trick and preform the way he has, I’m most happy for the Sidorovs.”
Sidorov is a third-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks.
While it was the home debut for Minten, who recorded an assist on Friday night, he said everyone in the room was fired up for Sidorov.
“He had a good little heartwarming speech after (the game) just saying how much he likes it here and how much it meant for him to have a game like that in front of his parents. It was cool for him and everyone else too,” explained Minten, who was acquired from the Kamloops Blazers on Nov. 24.
This season, Sidorov has 28 goals in 27 games. Going back to the playoffs last year, Sidorov has 37 goals in his last 42 games.
While Minten has only been with the team for a couple of weeks, he said Sidorov’s shot and hunger for the puck is what has made him so dangerous.
“His shot is unbelievable and he’s a very driven guy too. Anytime he’s not scoring, he’s driven to keep going. He gets pretty angry when he doesn’t score, so he uses that in a good way to get his legs going and rip it when he gets a chance,” Minten added.
Blades captain Trevor Wong also recorded three points, including scoring the game-winning goal off a pass from Sidorov.
While Sonne was happy with the result, he didn’t think his team necessarily played a perfect game.
“(We’re) happy with the result (and) very happy to be home,” he said. “We know that’s not our best hockey game, but at the same time, I do believe there are times where there are circumstances where you aren’t going to be at your absolute best.
“After a long trip and a week off, that’s typically one of those times. Performance, we definitely have better and I understand.”
The game Friday was the first of three on the weekend for the Blades. They will play on the road in Moose Jaw on Saturday and return home on Sunday afternoon to play the Calgary Hitmen.