PHOTO: Tom Grimsdale
A low scoring affair at Eagle Builders Centre in Blackfalds saw the Spruce Grove Saints shut out for the first time this season, falling in a 2-0 defeat to the Bulldogs on Friday night.
After an opening period which saw a total of 10 shots combined between the two sides and no goals between the two teams, the 2nd period is where the lone goal of the game (on a goaltender) took place with Nikita Ivashchenko tallying on a 5-on-3 man advantage to give the Bulldogs a one-goal lead.
Ivashchenko gathered the puck in the right face-off circle and rifled a shot over the shoulders of Ryan De Kok on the two-man power play to give Blackfalds a 1-0 lead with 11:01 to go in the middle frame. Oliver Kiraly was terrific in the Bulldogs goal, though not having to face many high danger opportunities, kept the Bulldogs lead at a goal into the third period.
The Saints pushed in the 3rd period to get the game’s tying goal but Kiraly stood tall and an empty net goal from Nikita Meshcheryakov sealed the win for the Bulldogs and saw the Saints four-game win streak come to a close.
The Saints are back in action on Saturday night as they host the Sherwood Park Crusaders at Thompson Family Arena for a 6:00 PM puck drop. Tickets are available for purchase online at tickets.sgsaints.ca.
