Between injuries and a tough first-half schedule, the Saskatoon Blades have faced plenty of adversity so far during the 2016-17 Western Hockey League (WHL) season.
However, the players have refused to make excuses for their sub-par record and continue to work at getting better.
Those efforts appear to be paying off.
After stunning the top-ranked Regina Pats 2-1 in overtime on Saturday, the Blades followed up the next day with a 5-3 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors on home ice.
WATCH BELOW: Saskatoon Blades rally in the third period to down the Moose Jaw Warriors 5-3
The Blades have now won three of its last four games, all in comeback fashion.
“Really it’s about the consistent effort. We’ve been consistent for the last four or five games and now we’re finally getting some results,” Blades head coach Dean Brockman said.
It’s a turnaround from November when the Blades won just three of 13 games.
The team appears to have emerged from that swoon with a renewed sense of purpose.
“We sat down and said we don’t really have an identity right now and I think we’re starting to find that a little bit. We’re working hard out there now. Everyone’s chipping in, too,” Blades forward Kolten Olynek said.
“We’re looking good with ourselves, the way we sit mentally right now going into next week and I think it’s going to carry over in a good way,” Blades goalie Brock Hamm added.
READ MORE: Saskatoon Blades solve roster crunch with Ryan Graham trade
The Blades have three games remaining before the holiday break against teams they are chasing for a playoff spot.
“You know we got Edmonton, Brandon and Brandon and those are teams that we’re chasing, so you know you hope the confidence carries over,” Brockman said.
The Blades host the Edmonton Oil Kings on Wednesday before wrapping up the first half with a home-and-home against the Brandon Wheat Kings.
They currently trail both teams by two points for the final Eastern Conference wild card berth.
Ryan Flaherty contributed to this story
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