PHOTO: Tom Grimsdale/Ideal Images Red Deer
The Spruce Grove Saints delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Blackfalds Bulldogs 7-2, with special teams playing a pivotal role in the win. The Saints were perfect on the power play, going 3/3, while shutting down the Bulldogs’ chances.
Josh Polak set the tone, scoring for the Saints in back-to-back games, giving his team an early 1-0 lead. Austin Peters doubled the advantage in the first period, making it 2-0 heading into intermission.
Less than 30 seconds into the second period, Owen Leckelt netted his first career BCHL goal, extending the Saints’ lead to 3-0. Moments later, Peters found the back of the net again for his second of the night, putting Spruce Grove up 4-0. Stephen Kirkpatrick added another, burying the Bulldogs deeper with a 5-0 lead, and Ryan Johnstone capped off the second period with a goal off a pick at center ice, pushing the score to 6-0.
The Bulldogs broke through in the third, with Ryan Castle getting them on the board at 6-1. However, the Saints responded quickly, as Colin Doherty scored his first BCHL goal to make it 7-1. Shane Purves wrapped up the scoring with a late goal for Blackfalds, but it wasn’t enough to make a dent, and the game ended 7-2 in favor of Spruce Grove.
FINAL SCORE: 7-2 Saints
SHOTS ON GOAL: 39-28 Saints
SAINTS PP: 3-for-3
SAINTS PK: 2-for-2
3 STARS:
1) Josh Polak (1-2-3)
2) Stephen Kirkpatrick (1-1-2)
3) Jack McAra (0-0-0)
The Saints (1-1-0-0) will return home for a pair of games, beginning on Friday night as they host the Trail Smoke Eaters (1-0-0-0) at Grant Fuhr Arena. Tickets are available for purchase online at tickets.sprucegrovesaints.ca.
