By Terry Martin
The Saints and Grizzlys faced off for the last time this year as Spruce Grove looked to take the season series. The Olds Grizzlys are currently last place in the AJHL with 7 wins and 20 points. The Spruce Grove Saints just clinched 1st place in the North division last night and will look to build on their momentum heading into playoffs.
Olds would strike first just 2 minutes into the game as Logan Neilson would capitalize on an unfortunate bounce. Jayden Davis would then tie the game after getting around multiple Grizzly defenders. There would be a 30-minute ice delay before the 1st period would end but the teams would resume play. The Saints and Grizzlys would be tied 1-1 and Spruce Grove would be on top in the shot department, 15-6 after 20 minutes.
Tyler Green would again strike first for Olds, jamming in the rebound just a minute into the middle frame. The Saints would spend the majority of the period in the Grizzlys end, firing pucks from every angle but not finding the back of the net. Caiden Gault would then find the back of the net with 2 minutes remaining as he fired the puck glove sided to tie the game 2-2. The Saints would again end the period on top 26-19 on the shot clock.
The Saints would score first in this period as Braeden Virtue buries the puck backdoor and the Saints would also take the lead for the first time during the game. Logan Acheson would then also finish off a backdoor pass to put the Saints up 4-2 with 10 minutes left in the game. Hudson Norris would then score for Olds with 4 minutes remaining to make it a 4-3 game. Caiden Gault would then get his 2nd goal of the game, sliding the puck into the empty net with 30 seconds left. The Saints would win their 6th game in a row 5-3 and out shoot the Grizzlys 38-24.
The Saints have 2 home games left, the 1st being on Friday against the Camrose Kodiaks. They will then take on the 2nd place Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Sunday night.