BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – Underneath the concourse at Merlis Belsher Place – in the tunnel outside the dressing rooms – during an early day of the Saskatchewan Hockey Classic, a Saskatoon Blazers coach challenged Shaan Basran to step-up and score a meaningful goal. The player-coach interaction in the hallway lasted less than 10 seconds but the message was delivered.
Well, with five minutes left in third period in the championship final today, Basran delivered – scoring the GWG to give the Blazers a 3-1 victory against the Estevan Bears in the inaugural tournament.
“He probably should have had seven goals in the tournament,” quipped Saskatoon head coach Troy Walkington. “But he came up with the game winning goal, which is a credit to him. He kills penalties for us, starts the periods for us and finished the periods.”
In an entertaining championship final, the third-year forward delivered the knock-out blow after Estevan had several glorious chances.
(See video highlights here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DS8m7T_jruM/?igsh=bTI4bzhwb2lub3dm)
Bears captain Gunner Moore had three clear breakaways in the game – only to be denied by Blazers goalie Madex Kabrud.
“We were surprised Madex came back to us this year,” said Walkington, referring to Kabrud being released by the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL. In the month of December, Kabrud has been the hottest goalie in the SMAAAHL. “He probably has a .950 save percentage in the month. He has been outstanding,” continued Walkington.
Added Estevan head coach Ryan Pilon: “It is probably a different game if (Moore) scores on one of those breakaways. We did have a lot of chances.”
FINISH LINES: Kabrud was named player of the game.
