By: Terry Martin
The Saints would take on the Bandits in tonight’s tilt in Brooks, looking to return to the win column after a 3-3 series split with the Drayton Valley Thunder. The Saints looked to play spoiler, as the Bandits are on a 10-game winning streak and also possess a perfect home winning record this season.
Tyler Palmer would stand on his head, making 14 saves before allowing a goal near the end of the period. Owen Cole would score five-hole just as the penalty on Kye Whillans had expired. Ryan McAllister would also score for Brooks, picking up his own rebound in the slot. The Saints would trail by 2 goals and trail on the shot clock 17-6 after 20 minutes of play.
The second period saw the Saints scoring first, Logan Acheson would extend his point streak with a wrap around goal to cut the lead to 2-1. Jayden Davis would then find himself on the doorstep and jam the puck home to tie the game at 2. Jayden Davis also gets his second of the night after a wild play, causing the Bandit d-man to collide with Jared Whale, pushing him out of position and leaving the net empty for Davis. The Saints would lead 3-2 after 40 minutes of play.
The Saints and Bandits would battle it out in the third, trading chances including breakaways and odd man rushes. No team would find the back of the net for the first ten minutes of the period. Brendan Mairs would score at the half way mark, picking up his own rebound to tie the game at 3. Breck McKinley would then break to the goal and score on Jarred Whale with a great tip in front of the net to give the Saints a 4-3 lead. The score would remain the same and the Saints would break the Bandits perfect home record and their 10-game winning streak. Final shots in the game were in favour of Brooks 36-24.
Both teams will look to keep the exciting hockey coming on Saturday with a 7:00pm puck drop. Saints fans can catch all the action on the Saints Radio Network (mixlr.com/sprucegrovesaints) starting at 6:45pm.