Saints Roll Past Bobcats 7-2
By: Adam Kulak
After a frustrating defeat to the Crusaders last night, the Saints took out their frustration on Lloydminster. Nicholetts, Gamache (2), Assayag, Cooley, Leyer and Schaefer would all find the back of the net as the Saints win a convincing one, 7-2 over the Lloydminster Bobcats. Tyler Palmer would get his first career AJHL start after two strong relief appearances and Josh Dias would be between the pipes for the Bobcats.
First Period
The Saints controlled pretty much every aspect of the game in the first period, they held Lloydminster to just 2 shots in the period and both of them came in the last few minutes. They would open the scoring just 2 minutes in as Zach Douglas?s point shot would get deflected by Jonathan Assayag in front as the Saints get things rolling early.
The Saints couldn?t capitalize on their three powerplay opportunities, but they would dominate at even strength in the period as they would add another one later in the first frame. Just over 3 minutes left, Grahame Gamache would throw the puck on net and Reid Schaefer would put home the rebound as the Saints open up for a 2-0 lead to start this game.
Shots in the period were 18-2 for the Saints as they had the puck most of the period and spent most of the time in Lloydminster?s zone.
Second Period
That would continue on in the middle frame but with even more offense. Before some people could even get in their seats for the start of the period, the Saints were already up 3-0. Right of the draw, Seth Fyten would create a turnover behind the Bobcats net and Grahame Gamache had an empty net to put home the goal just as the previous penalty was expiring.
That goal would be the first of 4 that the Saints scored in the period to really put things out of reach. Just under 4 minutes in, Nick Leyer would continue to stay hot on the powerplay as he would bury another one from the slot. Lloydminster would get on the board shortly after as Chance Adrian would beat Tyler Palmer in tight, but the Saints would answer right back just a minute later.
Grahame Gamache would score his second of the game as he would bang in the loose puck in the crease for the 5-1 lead. Brayden Nicholetts would get the 6th goal of the game as his shot would find its way in on a 2 on 1 to conclude another dominating period by the Saints.
The Saints lead the shots 44-13 after 40 minutes and hold a commanding 6-1 lead heading into the final frame here this afternoon.
Third Period
Things would slow down offensively in the third period with both teams only getting a goal each. Stanley Cooley would score late in the period to make it 7-1 and Mack Stewart would add one more for Lloydminster as the Saints would close out the 7-2 victory this afternoon.
The Saints responded after last night with a very strong performance. They were very disciplined, only killing off one penalty. They didn?t give Lloydminster any time and space all night because they had heavy pressure on the puck and they were moving the puck quick, transitioning from defense to offense smoothly all game long.
Tyler Palmer stopped 19 of 21 shots in his first AJHL start and Grahame Gamache had a great afternoon with 4 points. The Saints will have a couple days off before getting back at it this Thursday night. They will be back here at the Grant Fuhr as they host the Okotoks Oilers, puck drop is 7:00PM.