Saints roll over Oil Barons 6-0 for 4th straight win.
By: Adam Kulak
After Wednesday nights 6-1 outing over Lloydminster, the Saints pick up right where they left off. The Saints had six different goal scorers in this game as they put up another 6-goal performance, this time over the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Trentham, Mitchell, Biro, Edwards, Leyer and Wyatt all lit the lamp on route to the Saints 4th straight win to open the 2019-2020 Campaign. Matt Davis would get the start in goal tonight as the Saints get set for the first of back to back home games starting tonight.
First Period
The Saints got the start that they wanted early in this game. Just 1:24 into the game, Brett Trentham took a feed from Sam Popowich and would beat Evan Fradette five hole to give the Saints a 1-0 lead. The Captain now has goals in back to back games and the Saints open the scoring for the first time this season.
The Saints Penalty Kill was tested quite a few times, but they shined here in this period. Fort Mac had three Powerplay opportunities including a 5 on 3 for 3 minutes. The Saints were able to hold them to just 6 shots in the period despite all those opportunities and as a result, they would continue to hold a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.
Second Period
In the middle frame, the fans here at the Grant Fuhr Arena were treated to an offensive explosion. Just under 3 minutes in, Nick Leyer would bury a cross seam pass from Tanner Klassen for his 1st of the season. A minute later, Cole Basnett would drive down the right-hand side and put it out front to Cam Mitchell, giving the Saints a 3-0 lead just under 4 minutes into the period.
They would continue to come at Fort Mac and halfway through the period, Jordan Biro with a slick move, cut to the net and slid the puck five hole on Fradette to extend the lead to 4. Jaxsen Wyatt would add one more with a Powerplay clapper from the point, making it 5-0 after 40 minutes.
The Saints have had full control of this game, outshooting the Oil Barons 19-5 in the period and 29-11 overall, as they head into the final period with a commanding lead.
Third Period
Things cooled down in the third period on the offensive front but, it started getting heated tension wise. Ethan Edwards would add to the Saints lead in the third, as he roofed it backhand off a cross crease feed from Ryan Peckford for his 2nd goal in as many nights.
Emotions started to run high in this period with Fort Mac losing 6-0. There was a good amount of altercations after the whistle and several roughing penalties as both teams started developing poor feelings towards each other.
The Saints were able to move past it and were able to do what they could to help Matt Davis secure his 1st shutout of the season. Shots in the period were 8-6 and 37-17 overall, as the Saints close out the Oil Barons 6-0 to open the season with 4 wins in a row.
The Saints were ready to go from the start of the game. They played fast, they played with pace, they created high danger chances all night long. They were better at moving the puck and better in transition. They made good passes out of the zone which led to a ton of odd man rushes and other opportunities.
Matt Davis was solid in net, stopping everything that came his way for his 1st shutout in his 3rd start of the season.
The Saints are right back at it at 7:00pm tomorrow night, as they welcome the Whitecourt Wolverines here to the Grant Fuhr Arena.