By: Terry Martin
The puck finally dropped for the Saints 2020 season on Friday November 13th against the Sherwood Park Crusaders. The first period featured high energy and a high pace. The Saints were dominate against the Cru, scoring first with a bar down goal by Davis, and peppering Cherepak with 12 shots, while the Cru only mustering 5 shots.
The Crusaders scored early on a powerplay in the second period to tie the game at 1. The Saints still led in shots after two with 21, while the Crusaders bumped up their total to 13. Lyda and Cherepak were both solid in the second, making big saves at key times.
The third period was a great defensive effort for both teams, the Saints and Crusaders only firing 6 shots each in ten minutes. The last ten minutes of the game, however, were a different story. The Crusaders took the lead but the Saints countered with two goals of their own. The Crusaders then tied the game late and the game went to overtime.
The Saints came out with a furious pace in overtime, with McKinley getting a shot on Cherepak quickly and forcing a rebound, where Graham Gamache was perfectly positioned to bury the puck to win the game for the Saints!
Total shots in the game were 32-21 for the Saints.
The Saints are back in action in Sherwood Park on Saturday, puck drop at 7:15pm.
QUICK HITS: The Saints and Crusaders go back and fourth, but Spruce Grove prevails with the OT winner!#AJHL pic.twitter.com/L3LbkGudin
? Spruce Grove Saints (@sgsaints) November 14, 2020