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Thunder Defeat Saints To End Cohort Series in 3-3 Tie

By: Terry Martin

The Saints came into this game fresh off last night’s huge 8-0-win against the Thunder at home. Spruce Grove came into the game leading this cohort series 3-2 and would look to win it all tonight on the road in Drayton Valley.

The teams would trade power play goals to start the game as the Thunder found the net first, just 1:27 into the game. The Saints would quickly battle back as Caiden Gault ripped the puck home from the slot to tie the game at 1. Mason Marcellus would restore the lead for the Thunder, finding the back of the net after a scramble in front of Tyler Palmer. Tyler Blocha would extend the Thunder lead to 3-1 just five minutes later. The score would be 3-1 for the Thunder after 20 minutes of play, Drayton Valley would lead in shots 17-10.

The Saints would get their second power play goal of the game just four minutes into the 2nd period to bring the game to within a goal. Niko Jovanovic would be the one to tip in the goal to get his third of the season. The Thunder would get that one back with a power play goal of their own moments later as Cabe Bleay would score from the left point. Julien Blouin would score just after with another power play to extend the Thunder lead to 5-2. Brett Pfoh would answer back for the Saints, scoring a great goal just eighteen seconds later to bring the game to within two. Emotions would hit peak levels near the end of the period, sparking some more rough stuff and words between the benches. The Thunder would lead 5-3 after 40 minutes, while also leading 32-26 in shots.

Spruce Grove would also score first in the 3rd period, Caiden Gault would get his second goal of the game. Evan Forrest would keep the Thunder’s lead at 2 after coming down on a breakaway and scoring 5-hole. The Thunder would add an empty net goal to hand the Saints a 7-4 loss.

The Saints split the weekend with the Thunder and end the cohort series in a 3-3 tie. Spruce Grove will now wait for further direction from the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) as to what happens next. Stay tuned to Saints social media for all the details.