Slobodian plays OT hero for Wheat Kings

Cole Slobodian scored 15 seconds into overtime as the Brandon Wheat Kings snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the visiting Saskatoon Blades in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Saturday.

Brandon (12-6-0-1) received its other goals from Jaxon Jacobson and Kris Muissu, with Ben Bowtell and Kazden Mathies replying for Saskatoon (7-5-4-0) in front of a crowd of 2,351.

The goal was just the fourth of Slobodian’s 144-game career, but incredibly, it was the defensive defenceman’s second overtime winner in 15 games since he was acquired by his hometown club from the Portland Winterhawks on Oct. 1

“Those are fun ones to get,” Slobodian said. “There is nothing better than having everybody jump over the boards and come and celebrate with you.”

The overtime goal tied him for third fastest by a Wheat Kings in the Internet era, behind Scott Glennie (12 seconds, Nov. 22, 2008) and Milan Bartovic (14 seconds, Feb. 9, 2000). He’s tied with Colin McRae (Dec. 1, 2000).

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray was happy for his overage defenceman, who also scored in overtime in a 3-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets on Oct. 10.

“He’s a responsible defenceman but he has some offensive ability,” Murray said. “He has a heavy shot and Jacobson found him. It was one of those ones that looked like it was going to go high and it went on the ice and found a way to get in. “You’re happy for guys like that. They draw the assignments that aren’t so glamorous and maybe doesn’t end up on the scoresheet when you’re checking the top lines every night, so any time those guys can get on the scoresheet, it’s a bonus.”

The scoring began 16 minutes 41 seconds into the first period on the first good chance of the game. During a Brandon power play, defenceman Tyrone Sobry’s clearing attempt in the Saskatoon zone hit a body and bounced to a pair of Blades in the high slot. Mathies carried the puck up the ice on a two-on-one and Bowtell managed to slide the puck between the legs of Brandon goalie Filip Ruzicka.

It was the fifth shorthanded goal the Wheat Kings have surrendered in 19 games, and the second time the Blades have scored one in Brandon this season. The Wheat Kings gave up seven all of last season.

The game took a scary turn 4:42 into the second period when Brandon forward Prabh Bhathal launched Sobry into the end boards from behind. The referees reviewed the hit on a tablet and Bhathal was correctly handed a checking from behind major and game misconduct just after the overage defenceman from Saskatoon was helped to the dressing room and didn’t return.

(If the home crowd gasps when the replay is shown, a major is likely warranted.).

Saskatoon had a handful of great chances but couldn’t beat the big goaltender Ruzicka, and the penalty killers received a warm ovation as the final seconds ticked away.

“I thought we were pretty flat in the first and got down one, and then probably started the second flat too,” Murray said. “It’s crazy. We take a five-minute major and usually those are kisses of death but I think the PK did a heckuva job of rallying the troops. It’s hard not to go out and play hard when you see guys laying out and blocking shots and sacrificing everything.

“The guys recognized the sacrifice those guys made and it bled into our five-on-five play.”

Jacobson agreed.

“The PK really set the tone for the game, and after we killed the five-minute (major) off, the switch really flipped and the energy of our group took over,” Jacobson said. “We got the momentum and really took over in the second half of the game.”

The Wheat Kings managed just one shot in the first 14 minutes of the middle frame, and then promptly tied the game at the 14:15 mark when Jacobson’s pass from behind the goal-line to Muissu banked in off Saskatoon goalie Koen Cleaver’s stick into the net.

It was the Brandon captain’s 50th career WHL goal.

“That was just lucky,” Jacobson said. “I saw Moosey going to the back post. I think it was going to be a goal no matter what. I had him open and the goalie tried to play a little trick with his stick and he put it in his own net. It was nice to see one go in.”

Muissu put the puck in again for Brandon at the 16:32 mark after a scramble in front of Cleaver but the whistle had already been blown and a potential goal was rightly waved off.

Still, the energized hosts had nine shots in a row in the next three-and-a-half minutes.

The Wheat Kings took their first lead when Muissu went hard to the net off the rush and backhanded a shot that beat Cleaver high on the blocker side with 28.5 seconds left in the second period.

The teams traded dominant stretches in the third period, with both creating even-strength chances.

The Blades tied the game with 11:41 remaining when Matthies got his stick on a point shot by Jack Lavallee and it trickled between Ruzicka’s legs. The play went to a video review because of the position of Matthies’ stick but video goal judge Jeff Sawchuk ruled it was a good goal.

The visitors certainly had chances to take the lead again.

Saskatoon went back to the power play two minutes later, but Ruzicka was terrific in extinguishing the threat.

They got a third power-play chance with 4:22 remaining in regulation when Brett Wilson was flagged for hooking in the offensive zone, and though the top Blades unit stayed out for all two minutes and pressed, they couldn’t find the back of the net as penalty killers repeatedly blocked shots. Jacobson said those are massive moments for his club.

“It’s big for us just making sure we’re alive and making sure the guys know they’re doing a great job,” Jacobson said. “Realistically, the PK won us that game, just the relentlessness and the determination we have, everyone is willing to sell out (their body and block shot) whenever their time is.”

Brandon had multiple chances on the next shift, but also couldn’t find a goal.

In overtime, it took just 15 seconds for Brandon to gain possession off the faceoff, skate into the Saskatoon zone, nearly lose the puck deep, and then for Jacobson to get up after falling down near the boards and find Slobodian in the slot for a shot under Cleaver’s pad. “Obviously I was just trying to stay high if anything broke down and I had to play a two-on-one back,” Slobodian said. “Luckily that puck got through and I got it to the net and it went in.”

Jacobson was happy to see his fellow Brandonite get the winner.

“Cole is a big part of our group and whether it’s just keeping it simple or being a great guy in the room, it’s just awesome to see him contributing,” Jacobson said. “Everyone loves to score so I’m sure he’s pumped and we’re all pumped for him.”

Ruzicka made 36 saves for the Wheat Kings, with Cleaver stopping 34 shots for the Blades.

Brandon went 0-for-1 on the power play, with Saskatoon unsuccessful in three chances.

Saskatoon head coach Dan DaSilva was away at the U17 Hockey Challenge: Assistant coach Andrew Sarauer was pleased with how his team played after a 4-3 victory at home over the Calgary Hitmen on Friday.

“Overall, I thought it was a great game,” Sarauer said. “I loved our compete and our energy. It was a great road hockey game. The guys got off the bus after a long travel day and they brought the juice, they brought the energy.

“Once it goes to overtime, it’s any team’s game.”

ICINGS: Brandon skated without healthy scratches F Jimmy Egan, F Hudson Landmark and D Cruz Jim (U17 World Challenge), plus injured D Ilari Kapanen and D Josh McGregor … Aiden Foster had two assists for Brandon … Saskatoon forward Konstantin Hunzinger took a puck in the face right by his bench, quickly hopped over the boards and had a towel pressed to his face in seconds … Jacobson and Joby Baumuller led the Wheat Kings with six shots each on net … The game took two hours, 38 minutes to play … In the faceoff circle, Brandon won 48-25 … Next week, Brandon hosts Portland on Wednesday at 4 p.m., and the Wenatchee Wild on Friday at 7 p.m., and then visits the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday at 8 p.m. (CT).

» pbergson@brandonsun.com