Saints Bounce Back with 2-1 OT Win over Canucks
By: Adam Kulak
Happy New Year to everyone as the Saints start off 2020 with a 2-1 win in Overtime over the Calgary Canucks. The month of December didn?t go the way the Saints wanted, but after a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Crusaders, they bounced back with a big win to start the second half of the season.
First Period
The Saints came out and had several great chances to score early in this game. They had two powerplays in the period including one early, but they couldn?t get on past Connor Martin. The shots in the period were 11-7 in favor of the Saints. The shot count wasn?t very lopsided, but the Saints had more dangerous shots compared to Calgary in the period.
The Saints had some struggles here and there transitioning out of their zone, but once they got into the offensive zone, they were able to get the puck back and get shots from in tight. They have things they can clean up a bit in the second, but they need to continue to get chances in the final 40 minutes.
Second Period
The first half of the period was not what the Saints wanted, they would take three straight penalties and they would give up one early. Just under 2 minutes in, Dylan Clark would beat Max Duchesne with a one timer from the top of the slot as the Canucks strike first in this game. Despite giving up that goal, Duchesne has really played well so far, and it could have been more than 1-0 early in this period.
The Saints would get a double minor for high sticking and they would get a boarding call shortly after, giving the Canucks a 2 minute 5 on 3 powerplay. The Canucks had several chances to extend their lead but they either missed the net or Max Duchesne would come up with a big save. He had multiple huge saves in this period as the Saints would try to find their game.
The second half of the period was better for the Saints as they were able to get more going in the offensive end. They still, however, couldn?t find the back of the net, they had a late powerplay, but they only managed to get maybe one good scoring chance on it. Calgary managed to control certain points of that period and they lead the shots 19-18 after 40 minutes of play.
Third Period
It was a goaltending duel for most of this game as Connor Martin and Max Duchesne both gave their teams a great chance to win. The Saints powerplay continued to be cold as they had two more chances on the man advantage in the third period and failed to capitalize on either of them. Their penalty kill was very solid as they went 5/5 on the night and kept it a one goal game.
Even though they couldn?t find the back of the net with the man advantage, they continued to push for the tying goal and with 8 minutes left in the period they would find the equalizer. Seth Fyten would get a good shot from the slot, there was a scramble in front and Nick Leyer would squeak one through as the Saints finally find the back of the net. That goal would eventually send this game to overtime, the shots were 28-26 Saints after 60 minutes as they tie it up and send this game to extra time.
It wouldn?t be long before Ryan Peckford would drive to the net and draw a tripping penalty to put the Saints on a 4 on 3. The Saints picked a great time for their powerplay to capitalize as exactly a minute into the overtime period, Peckford would find Seth Fyten in front of the net and he would bury it on Connor Martin. That would be Fyten?s second goal in as many games as he ends it in Overtime and the Saints get back in the win column to start the New Year.
It was a closer game than the Saints would have liked but they still manage to prevail here on home ice. Max Duchesne was terrific in net all night long and Seth Fyten had a big night tonight including the game winner. Connor Martin played great in net as well for Calgary, but the Saints finally were able to break through and pull this game out.
The Saints will look for back to back wins as they are back here tomorrow. They will host the Canmore Eagles tomorrow night at 7:00 PM here at the Grant Fuhr Arena.