The Spruce Grove Saints unleashed a vengeance-filled performance to clinch a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory against the Brooks Bandits in their rematch on Saturday night.
Midway through the first period, Alexander Babich of Chicago, IL, broke the deadlock with a stunning tip-in off a pass from Jed Magarrell of Coaldale, AB. However, less than two minutes later, Ty Mason leveled the score at one for the Bandits.
Early in the second period, Kiefer Miller of Banff, AB, notched his first goal of the night, putting the Saints back in the lead at 2-1. But the Bandits quickly responded with a power-play goal to tie the game once again. Towards the end of the period, Stephen Kirkpatrick of Edmonton, AB, regained the lead for the Saints at 3-2, a lead they carried into the third period.
Just two minutes into the final period of regulation, Ashton Hutchinson of St. Albert, AB, extended the Saints’ lead with a deft tip-in. Kirkpatrick added his second goal of the night, shorthanded, to give Spruce Grove a comfortable 5-2 advantage. However, the Bandits staged a remarkable comeback, scoring three consecutive goals to level the game at five and force overtime.
Six minutes into overtime, Miller clinched the game-winning goal, his second of the night, securing a hard-fought 6-5 victory for Spruce Grove.
