By Terry Martin
The Saints came into tonight’s contest against the Calgary Canucks looking to get back into the win column as they faced off for first time this season. Before their recent loss, the Saints were on an impressive 15-game win streak. The Calgary Canucks sit 7th in the South division with 17 points and are currently on a one game winning streak, beating the Olds Grizzlys on Friday.
Earlier this week the Saints also had a commitment announcement as forward Niko Jovanovic committed to the University of Notre Dame. Niko is the first Spruce Grove Saint to commit to Notre Dame.
In the first period of the game, both teams spent some time feeling each other out as they haven’t played each other in a couple years. Nikola Jovanovic would be the first to score in the game as he would take the puck himself through a couple defenders to put the Saints up 1-0. Dylan Clark would then tie the game for the Canucks with just a couple seconds remaining in the period. The Saints would double up the Canucks 16-8 in shots after 20 minutes.
The Saints would score first in the 2nd period just 4 minutes in on a shorthanded breakaway by Jaden Senkoe to put the team up 2-1. Luigi Benincasa would then score a power play from the left circle as he one-timed the puck in the net for his 17th goal of the season to put the Saints up 3-1. The Saints would hold onto the lead after the period and also keep the lead in shots 35-20.
The third period saw the Canucks score first as Matthew Brunton would put the puck in the net on a power play opportunity with 11:53 left to play. The Saints would hold off a late push by the Canucks as they pulled their goalie with less than a minute left. Spruce Grove would return to the win column with a 3-2 win down in Calgary. The Saints would outshoot the Canucks by a huge margin, 52-29.
The Saints 3 game road trip ends with 2 wins and 1 loss as they return to the Grant Fuhr Arena on Tuesday for a one game home stand and their last game in November. The Saints win streak at the GFA is still alive and Spruce Grove will look to keep it going.