PHOTO: James Maclennan
The Spruce Grove Saints built an early lead and held off a late surge to defeat the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4–3 in a tightly contested matchup at Rogers Rink on Friday night.
Spruce Grove wasted no time setting the tone. Just 39 seconds into the game, Junior Podein opened the scoring on the power play, finishing a quick passing sequence from Alexy Lachaine and Max Holland. The Saints doubled their lead less than two minutes later when Holland buried his fourth of the season off a feed from Tre Peck, giving the home side a 2–0 advantage.
Salmon Arm responded midway through the opening period, as Scott Miner cut into the deficit at 6:46 with a goal set up by Landon Mackie and Keifer Miller. But the Saints restored their two-goal cushion before the intermission, with Brandon Funk finding the back of the net at 14:02 to make it 3–1 after one period.
The second period featured no scoring but plenty of physical play, with both teams exchanging penalties and chances. Goaltenders Joseph Quintilio and Daniel Dirracolo stood tall, keeping the game within reach for Salmon Arm heading into the third.
The Silverbacks mounted their comeback early in the final frame. Anthony Cardilli capitalized on a loose puck at 5:14 to bring Salmon Arm within one, and just 41 seconds later, Keifer Miller finished a rush to tie the game 3–3, silencing the Saints’ early momentum.
However, Spruce Grove answered when it mattered most. With under five minutes remaining, Max Holland struck again, netting his second goal of the night off a setup from Tre Peck and Felix Haibock to restore the Saints’ lead.
Salmon Arm pulled Dirracolo for an extra attacker late, but the Saints held firm defensively, with Quintilio making key saves down the stretch to preserve the victory.
Holland led the way offensively with two goals and an assist, while Peck added three helpers. Miller paced the Silverbacks with a goal and an assist in the losing effort.
