By Terry Martin
The Spruce Grove Saints battled the Drayton Valley Thunder tonight in a big divisional game. The Saints were looking to hand the Thunder their first loss in regulation while also hoping to end their loosing streak. The Saints just finished their trip to Brooks for the AJHL Showcase where they played the Okotoks Oilers and Brooks Bandits.
Brett Pfoh would be the one to break the tension half way through the first period, capitalizing on a Thunder turnover and dangling the goalie. Hunter Price would tie the game for the Thunder just three minutes later. Brophy Dunne would make sure the Saints would stay on top, scoring from the blue line to put Spruce Grove up 2-1. Niko Jovanovic would find himself in front of the net on the power play, tipping home his third goal in three games to give the Saints a 3-1 lead. Jayden Davis would also contribute on the power play, squeaking one through the arm of the Thunder goaltender Jackson Berry. The Saints would lead 4-1 on the scoreboard and lead 24-6 on the shot clock after the opening period of play.
The second period saw the Saints on the penalty kill for the first ten minutes of the frame, and only allowing one goal, as the Thunder’s Rylan Brown scored short side. The Saints would still continue to battle on the penalty kill, keeping the score the same by the end of the period. Spruce Grove would still lead in shots 26-19 after 40 minutes of play.
It took nine minutes, but Grayson Reid would score for the Thunder mid way through the third period, making the score 4-3 for Spruce Grove. Cody Pisarczyk would get that one back with his first AJHL goal as he tipped one in to give the Saints a 5-3 lead. Jayden Davis would get his second of the night on the empty net to give the Saints a 6-3 lead. The Saints would hold on and get back in the win column tonight as they win this game by a final score of 6-4 over the Thunder. The Saints would end up winning on the shot clock as well, firing 34 shots, while the Thunder would muster 22. The Saints would go 2 for 6 on the powerplay and 8 for 9 on the penalty kill.
The Spruce Grove Saints are back at home on Friday at the Grant Fuhr Arena for a 7:00pm puck drop against the Bonnyville Pontiacs.