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Sauter's son joins the Blazers
Hopefully he hangs around long enough to get an earful next Tuesday here in Titletown:
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Oklahoman: Another Sauter debuts in win
By Bob Hersom
The Oklahoman
The Blazers added a win and another Sauter to their thick history book Saturday night.
Rookie defenseman Fritz Sauter, oldest son of coach Doug Sauter, made his pro debut in the Blazers' 4-2 win over Memphis in the Ford Center.
"I'm just waiting for my heart to stop," joked Fritz Sauter, 20, who follows his dad, Doug, uncle Mike and cousins Hardy, Barkley and Don as a Sauter who has played or coached for the Blazers.
Sauter, who has regularly practiced with the Blazers this season, played two years in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, which has produced several Blazers. He had a plus-1 rating Saturday by being on the ice for the Blazers' first goal and none of Memphis' goals.
"This is the first time I've played in a game in about three months," Fritz Sauter said, "so I wasn't quite into it at first, but as the game kept going I got more and more comfortable."
Fritz Sauter replaced Shawn Germain, who rushed to his Edmonton home Saturday morning, after learning his father had suffered a brain aneurysm Friday night. In an idea hatched by equipment manager Brandon Rose and trainer Wade Sundbye, the Blazers wore Germain's number, 5, on their helmets.
"Fritz helped out, just to give the guys a little bit of a breather," coach Sauter said. "He had the least ice time of any defenseman, but he did his job."
The Blazers notched their 13th win in 17 wins. Coach Sauter rewarded them four days off. They won't return to practice until noon Thursday. The Blazers don't play for seven days, against Tulsa on Christmas night.
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Blazers 4, Memphis 2
Story line: The Blazers have a 14-10-0 record and 13 wins in their 17 games since Nov. 11.
First star: Blazers left wing Jared Dumba had one goal and two assists. He has 13 points in the last 10 games.
Second star: Blazers center Marty Standish had a goal and an assist. He has 16 points in the last 10 games.
Third star: Blazers defenseman Fritz Sauter was plus-1 in his pro debut.
Noteworthy: The Blazers' next game is on Christmas night against Tulsa.
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Al?
RLR
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