Saints V Oil Barons December 18, 2021
By Terry Martin
The Saints and Oil Barons faced off against each other for the final game before the Christmas break, as each team is still in the hunt to finish 1st in the North. Both teams won their games last night with Fort McMurray coming from behind with 5 goals in the 3rd period to complete the comeback against the Crusaders. The Saints are on a 2-game win streak as they look to make it 3 and avenge their two losses in Fort McMurray at the beginning of December.
The Saints would open the scoring as Jaden Senkoe would tip in his 5th of the season. The Saints would keep up their sharp play throughout and Martin would stand tall when he was needed. Senkoe would then add a late power play goal for the teams and his 2nd of the game. The Saints would also be on top in shots 15-11 after 20 minutes of play.
Luigi Benincasa would get the teams 3rd goal just after the Saints penalty kill had expired, sneaking the puck five hole from behind the net. Logan Acheson would then add to the Saints lead, firing the puck from the blue line and going high blocker. Cody Pisarczyk would then make it a 5-0 lead, firing the puck off the post and in. Jed Magarrell would also add to the energy, squaring off against Clarke Huxley in a spirited tilt. The Saints would also be on top in shots 30-22 after 2 periods.
The 3rd period started with an Oil Barons goal as Tristan Kimmen would fire the puck short side. Luigi Benincasa would get that one back a couple minutes later after being set up by a great pass by Evan Sundar. Brandon Sacchetti would then come down the ice and tip in the Oil Barons 2nd goal of the game. Tyler Wallace would then score on another Oil Barons power play to make it a 6-3 game with 9 minutes to go. The Saints would hold off the Oil Barons and win the game 6-3, while also outshooting their opponent 41-31. Tristan Martin would also record his first win at the Grant Fuhr Arena after being acquired from Olds.
The Saints are off for a couple weeks to rest up during the holidays but will be back at the GFA on December 30th.