PHOTO: James Maclennan
The Spruce Grove Saints delivered a commanding performance, skating to a 6–3 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in a game that combined offensive production with escalating physicality.
Spruce Grove wasted no time getting on the board, as Adam Perron opened the scoring just over three minutes into the first period. The Saints extended their lead late in the frame when Brandon Funk struck on the power play, but Salmon Arm answered quickly, with Tate O’Brien cutting the deficit to 2–1 before intermission.
The Saints regained control in the second period. Declan Waddick restored the two-goal cushion early, and although Cole Longacre brought Salmon Arm back within one midway through the period, Funk added his second of the night on another power play late in the frame to make it 4–2 heading into the third.
In the final period, Spruce Grove pulled away. Junior Podein and Max Holland scored to stretch the lead to 6–2, putting the game out of reach. Salmon Arm managed a late power-play goal from Scott Miner, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.
Tempers flared throughout the game, particularly in a chaotic final minute that saw multiple fights, misconducts, and both goaltenders—Ryan De Kok and Mikkel Christensen—receive penalties and game misconducts after leaving their creases to fight with De Kok bettering Christensen with three right hands to topple him down to the ice.
The Saints are back on home ice on Friday night in the final weekend of the regular season as they take on the West Kelowna Warriors at Thompson Family Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM with tickets available for purchase online at tickets.sgsaints.ca.
