Photo credit: Matt Piotrowski
The Saints looked to stay perfect at the start of the 2026-27 season and carry their winning ways on the road. However, things did not go as planned.
The road trip started Friday night in Brooks, and the first period was close. It wasn’t until there were 34 seconds left in the period that the first goal was scored, when a corner shot deflected off a skate in front and ended up beating Saints goaltender Joseph Quintilio.
In the second period, the Bandits took over and outshot the Saints 25-2. It was a matter of survival for Spruce Grove, and they almost survived the second period. With Kohyn Pipke in the box for a 5-minute kneeing major, the Bandits struck twice to take a 3-0 lead into the third period.
The Bandits would score their third power play goal of the game just minutes into the third period. They would add their fifth goal of the game midway through the frame. Then the Saints started to come back to life in the last few minutes of the game. Jacob Hamel would send a shot towards the net that deflected off Gavin McNeil for his first BCHL goal. Just over a minute later, Patrick Woods would score his first goal by winning a faceoff ahead to himself and scoring from the side of the net. That made the final score 5-2 Brooks.
The Saints were looking to bounce back on Saturday in Okotoks against the Oilers. They would have to do so without defenceman Brodie Kay, who received an illegal equipment penalty for his visor in the previous game, earning him a 1-game suspension. Since a player was assessed that penalty, Head Coach Martin Lachaine was also suspended for one game.
The penalties continued into the fourth straight game for the Saints. The Oilers were only able to score on one of their eight opportunities in the game, and it was with 1 second remaining on their first opportunity. The Oilers would double their lead and take a 2-0 lead into the second period.
The Oilers would add two more goals in the second period before the Saints, once again, found themselves down 5-0 in the third period. Spruce Grove was able to break the shutout bid for Okotoks goaltender Justin Giguere when Adam Perron found a loose puck behind the net that Giguere tried to play and beat him to the net.
The Saints are back at home this weekend and will look to return to their winning ways as they host their first BC team. Friday, October 2nd is against the Trail Smoke Eaters at 7pm, while Saturday is against the Cranbrook Bucks at 6pm.
Tickets can be purchased online: https://tickets.sgsaints.ca/
