Milligan, Anthony Lanier II return to Riders' lineup
8h ago
Some key players are back for the Riders as they get ready to host the Redblacks on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Saskatoon Blades remain as close as possible to clinching a playoff berth following a 4-3 loss to the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday at SaskTel Centre.
Saskatoon needs just one more point to officially clinch a berth in the post season even though the team is 18 points ahead of the Moose Jaw Warriors for the final playoff spot in the East Division.
The Blades took an early lead against the Hitmen, with Jayden Wiens cleaning up a rebound in front of the net nearly three minutes into the game.
Calgary responded four minutes later with a goal Cael Zimmerman scoring a similar goal on Blades goaltender Nolan Maier.
The Hitmen would break the scoring deadlock near the end of the second period with a goal from Mark Kastelic to lead 2-1. Caiden Daley would get a goal back for the Blades to even the score at 2-2 heading into the third period.
Goals from Carson Focht and Dakota Krebs would double the Hitmen lead in the opening half of the period.
Martin Fasko-Rudas was able to score one more for the Blades at the end of the period, but the comeback would fall short.
The Blades are back in action on Friday to play the Regina Pats.
David Ayres, the 42-year-old emergency backup that gained international recognition after backstopping the Carolina Hurricanes to a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs last month, will be attending the game to help promote organ donation.