PHOTO: James Maclennan
The Spruce Grove Saints pulled off a dramatic late comeback to defeat the West Kelowna Warriors 5–4 in a back-and-forth contest that featured momentum swings and a thrilling finish.
The game opened with both teams settling in after early goalie changes, as Angelo Zol got the start for West Kelowna and Finn Marshall for Spruce Grove. The Saints took the game’s first penalty, and the Warriors capitalized quickly. Ruslan Jamaldinov opened the scoring on the power play at 4:42 of the first period, finishing a setup from Natan Éthier and Caden Kemkaran-Humble.
Spruce Grove responded just under two minutes later, as Declan Waddick buried his 23rd of the season to tie the game. The Saints kept pushing, and Josh Polak gave them the lead at 8:32 with a goal off a strong passing play involving Waddick and Carson Lloyd. West Kelowna answered before the period ended, with Kelsen Podworny scoring unassisted to even things at 2–2 after one.
The second period was scoreless but physical, highlighted by a double minor to West Kelowna’s Ian Crowley and a series of interference penalties to the Saints. Despite multiple power play opportunities on both sides, neither team could break the deadlock.
Early in the third, tensions boiled over with a fight between Alexandre Lallier and James Richards, setting the tone for a high-intensity final frame. Spruce Grove regained the lead at 5:45 when Tre Peck finished a play from Junior Podein and Alexy Lachaine.
West Kelowna responded with urgency. Podworny struck again at 12:16 to tie the game, and just over two minutes later, Liam Nilsson gave the Warriors a 4–3 lead, seemingly putting them in control late in regulation.
But the Saints weren’t done.
Carson Lloyd tied the game at 17:07 with a clutch goal, and just 52 seconds later, Declan Waddick scored his second of the night—this time unassisted—to complete the comeback and give Spruce Grove a 5–4 lead. The Warriors pulled their goalie in the final minute but couldn’t find the equalizer.
