Saints V Bandits Game 4 Summary May 4, 2022
By Terry Martin
The Saints and Bandits were back at it for game 4 in the AJHL final after an exciting, fast paced battle the previous night. The Saints took the game to overtime but lost after Ryan McAllister ended the game for the second time in a row after firing the puck in from the slot. Spruce Grove looked to tie the series back up to force another game back at the Grant Fuhr Arena.
The Saints and Bandits would start the game off with a goalie battle, but Onyskiw would make the best save of the game as he dove back with his stick to make the stop. Brett Pfoh would be the one to open the scoring 8 minutes into the game, firing the puck shot side from the slot. Spruce Grove and Brooks would continue to create great opportunities throughout the rest of the period but no one would find the back of the net. The Saints would end up just leading in shots 10-9 after 20 minutes of play.
Both teams would play more defensively throughout the first half of the period as not too many shots would make it on net. The Bandits would put themselves on the board halfway through the period as TJ Hughes would finish off his own rebound in the crease. Brendan Kennette would then make it 2-1 Brooks a few moments later after a shot from the point. The Saints would battle the rest of the period to get the goal back and would eventually do so with 2 minutes remaining. Caiden Gault would fire the puck on the net and it would just squeak through the Bandits goalie. Through 2 periods of play the game would remain tied 2-2 and the Saints would just trail in shots 20-21.
The Saints and Bandits would again play very defensively, neither team wanting to make a mistake. It would take most of the period but the Bandits would eventually score off a scramble play in front, Dario Beljo would be the one bank the puck in the net. Anthony Cipollone would then add an empty netter in the last minute for their 4th goal. Luigi Benincasa would make it close by putting in a rebound down low, but the Saints would not get the tying goal late.
Spruce Grove drops game 4 by a score of 4-3 as the series shifts back to Brooks. After 60 minutes the Saints would just be outshot 31-28.
Brooks now leads the series 3-1 and game 5 will take place on May 7 for a 7pm puck drop down at the CRA.