PHOTO: James Maclennan
The Spruce Grove Saints faced the Trail Smoke Eaters in a high-scoring game that saw momentum swing several times before Trail pulled away in the third period to win 6–4.
In the first period, Spruce Grove opened the scoring when Josh Polak scored a power-play goal assisted by Declan Waddick and James Richards. Late in the period, Trail tied the game when Erik Pastro scored on the power play to make it 1–1 heading into the second.
The second period featured back-and-forth scoring. Declan Waddick gave the Saints the lead with a goal assisted by Polak and Gabriel Kenny. Trail responded with a power-play goal from Cash Carter, but Waddick scored again late in the period to restore the Saints’ lead. However, with only seconds remaining, Erik Pastro scored his second of the game for Trail, tying it 3–3 going into the third.
In the third period, Trail took control of the game. Goals from Dylan Lariviere and Colton Whitfield gave the Smoke Eaters the lead. Josh Polak brought Spruce Grove back within one with his second goal of the night, but Chase Nehring scored later in the period to extend Trail’s lead. With the Saints’ goalie pulled, Erik Pastro completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal, sealing a 6–4 victory for Trail.
