By Terry Martin
The Spruce Grove Saints took on the Bonnyville Pontiacs tonight for the third straight time, looking to win their 4th game in a row and sweep the Pontiacs in this 3-game set.
The first period saw the Pontiacs strike first when Matteo Giampa tipped the puck in from the blue line for his first AJHL goal. The Saints would not score any goals to tie the game through 20 minutes and neither team would get called for any penalties. The Saints would also trail on the shot clock 13-8 through the opening frame.
Liam Watkins would score first for the Saints in the second period to tie the game, following through on a bouncing puck in front of the net. The Saints would then got their first lead of the game as Luigi Benincasa found himself backdoor all alone. The Saints would also lead on the shot clock for the first time, 22-20 after 40 minutes of play.
The Pontiacs would strike first in the third period as A.J. Macaulay scored from the slot with 12:33 left in the game. After drawing up a set play in a timeout, the Pontiacs would then spring Austin Saint on a breakaway to give them the lead. Caiden Gault and the Saints would then come down on their power play to tie the game again on his 11th goal of the year. Matteo Giampa would then score to give the Pontiacs a 4-3 lead late in the game after a scramble in front of the Saints net. Spruce Grove put on a late game push but would be unsuccessful, falling 4-3 in regulation to the Pontiacs. Final shots would favour the Saints, 40-29.
The Saints will be back in action this weekend, starting with a battle against the Kodiaks in Camrose on Friday. The Saints will then be at the Grant Fuhr Arena on Saturday to host the Blackfalds Bulldogs for the first time in team history.