Revel scores twice, Makarov 25 saves as the Blades beat the Hitmen

CALGARY - Matt Revel scored twice and added an assist as the Saskatoon Blades blanked the host Calgary Hitmen 4-0 on Friday in Western Hockey League action.

Andrey Makarov stopped 25 shots for his 13th win and second shutout of the season.

Brenden Walker had a goal and two assists for the Blades (13-12-1) and Josh Nicholls added a single goal.

Chris Driedger stopped 30-of-34 shots in a losing cause for the Hitmen (17-6-3), who had their four-game win streak halted.

Saskatoon opened the scoring at the 12:08 mark of the first period when Revel got free behind the Calgary defense and beat Driedger.

The Blades wasted little time taking a two-goal lead when Nicholls scored 46 seconds later from a set up by Shane McColgan.

The second period began with some line juggling by Calgary Head Coach Mike Williamson. The attempt to spark the Hitmen, who were coming off a lengthy break, didn’t slow down the strong team play of Saskatoon.

The Blades made it 3-0 when Walker’s shot handcuffed Driedger at the 18:30 mark and Revel scored his second of the night only 1:20 later.

Neither team could score on the power play as Saskatoon went 0-for-5 and Calgary 0-for-7.