Blades beat Rebels to take 3-0 lead in Eastern Conference semifinal

The Saskatoon Blades are one win away from the WHL’s Eastern Conference final.

Egor Sidorov had a hat trick Tuesday as the Blades beat the host Red Deer Rebels 8-5 to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven conference semifinal.

The Blades can end the series Wednesday, when Game 4 goes in Red Deer.

Trevor Wong had a goal and three assists for Saskatoon, which got a goal and two helpers from Brandon Lisowsky. Charlie Wright, Rowan Calvert and Lukas Hansen also scored for the Blades.

Carson Latimer, Carson Birnie, Quentin Bourne, Kalan Lind and Talon Brigley replied for the Rebels.

Evan Gardner started in net for the Blades and allowed four goals on 20 shots. He was replaced at the 15:02 mark of the second period by Austin Elliott, who surrendered one goal on 17 shots the rest of the way.

Taylor Tabashniuk gave up seven goals on 38 shots in the Red Deer net.

In the other Eastern Conference semifinal, the Moose Jaw Warriors took a 2-1 series lead Tuesday with a 5-3 victory over the hometown Swift Current Broncos.

Denton Mateychuk scored twice and added an assist for Moose Jaw, which got its other goals from Atley Calvert, Lynden Lakovic and Matthew Savoie. Jagger Firkus added three goals for the winners.

Ty Coupland, Owen Pickering and Brady Birnie replied for the Broncos, who play host to Game 4 on Wednesday.