Saskatoon Blades defence is improving

SASKATOON – In hockey, sometimes the best offence is a good defence. That seems to be the case this year with the Saskatoon Blades.

Saskatoon is tied for second in the Eastern Conference in goals scored, averaging nearly four-and-a-half per game. The Blades forwards have been given a lot of credit for the increase in firepower.

Head coach and general manager Bob Woods believes improved defensive play by the team is pumping up Saskatoon’s offensive output.

READ MORE: Saskatoon Blades scoring woes behind them?

“If you can’t get your forwards the puck, it’s tough for them to do their jobs and our guys have really done a good job of moving it. The only time we really get in trouble is when we’re trying to be fancy and we’re looking for those tough plays instead of making the easy plays,” said Woods.

“From last year’s defence core to this year, it’s a total new look and it’s nice having six guys you can play on the penalty kill,” said defenceman Brycen Martin, who has eight assists in seven games this season.

What a difference a year can make. The boys in blue currently have nine points this season. Last year, it took the Blades until Oct. 28 to surpass the nine point mark.

Last January, the team swung a deal with the Swift Current Broncos to bring in Martin. It’s a move that’s already paid off for the Blades this season as Martin has nine points through seven games. This season is important for the 19-year-old from Calgary who is looking to lock-up an NHL contract.

“I’m given every opportunity to play so that definitely helps with my confidence and when I’m playing confident, I’m playing good and it just means to the world to me to have all that confidence put in me,” said Martin.

He was selected 74th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.

“He’s in a big year for himself personally, he’s fighting to get an NHL contract and Buffalo’s giving him all the resources, we’re going to push him as much as we can but it really comes down to him. He has to want it and he has to do the work to get it and he showed good signs early,” said Woods.

On Saturday at SaskTel Centre, Martin and the rest of the Blades blueliners will have the tough task of shutting down the high-powered Brandon Wheat Kings, a team averaging over five goals a game.