PHOTO: Alexander Patton
The Spruce Grove Saints rode a big third period to defeat the Cranbrook Bucks in a high-energy, back-and-forth matchup that featured special teams, momentum swings, and a late push that came up just short.
Cranbrook opened the scoring in the first period on the power play, when Camden Charron buried his fifth of the season at 12:15, finishing a clean setup from Matthew Gilmore and Adam Csabi. The period also saw tempers flare early, with Josh Polak and Grant Denuccio dropping the gloves in matching fighting majors.
Spruce Grove wasted no time responding in the second. Just 16 seconds in, Junior Podein tied the game on the power play, finishing a quick-strike opportunity set up by Declan Waddick and Polak. Later in the frame, Waddick gave the Saints their first lead, scoring at 15:19 off a feed from Chris Battaini.
Cranbrook answered late in the second period, as Samuel Lyne scored at 19:39 to even things up at 2–2 heading into the third.
The final period turned into a track meet. Lyne struck again at 6:24 to restore the Bucks’ lead, but the Saints responded just over a minute later with Alexy Lachaine finishing a rush to tie the game 3–3.
From there, Spruce Grove took control. Robert Fedor gave the Saints the lead at 11:23, and Podein added his second of the night less than two minutes later to stretch the advantage to 5–3.
Cranbrook pushed back late, with Jack McMinn scoring at 17:30 to cut the deficit to one. The Bucks pulled goaltender Jason Tremblay for the extra attacker, but Spruce Grove held firm in the final minutes to secure the win.
Podein led the way offensively with two goals and an assist, while Waddick and Polak each had multi-point efforts. For Cranbrook, Lyne scored twice and Mitch Patrick contributed three assists in a strong effort despite the loss.
