Photo Credits: Robyn Lanigan
Article: Gord Montgomery
In hockey a win is worth two points. But sometimes a win like this goes much farther than a simple notation in the league standings. Such was the case for the Spruce Grove Saints when they skated to a 5-3 victory over the Victoria Grizzlies.
As has been the case for much of this season, the Saints fell behind 2-0 early but stormed back and showed the talent they possess to take a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes. They struggled a bit in the third period as the Grizzlies tied things up, but two late goals, one an empty-net marker cemented the win, snapping a six-game losing streak. For the visitors, it was their first loss of the season.
Afterwards, Head Coach Martin Lapointe talked about the importance of this win.
“Like I said, it’s always a good thing to go through adversity and this team has gone through a lot of adversity in the last few weeks. At some moments, like I told the guys, ‘There’s never a storm that lasts forever. If you believe in the process, believe in what we do, believe in the system, and you stick with it, at some moment it’s gotta end.’ And, they got rewarded tonight.”
A large part of the win came from the hustle and desire the club showed, along with the goaltending of rookie Colten Scott who stopped 30 of 33 shots, after a lacklustre performance in a 5-1 loss to the Powell River Kings the night before. The win was a complete reversal from that outing and it showed the team, and its fans, the ability that is in the home side’s dressing room.
“I think at some point in games like this, the stage is bigger, you know, the coach said. “We were, you know, four or five games behind and we wanted to get back on track and you want to dig deep. Like anything when you’re being pushed to your limits sometimes there’s a little bit more to give. We made sure everybody was ready, on the same page and the right system, the right plays to make and the guys responded really, really well. It was good to see..”
After the Saints came from behind to take the lead in the second period on goals by Lucas Achim, Brett Barnes and Felix Haibock, Victoria tied it up on a goal that went to video replay. Rather than folding though the Saints got markers from Junior Podein with less than two minutes to go and the empty-netter by Haibock to put away the win.
Asked about this game and the team’s efforts, newly named team captain, Alexy Lachaine, spoke about the calmness the team showed by not panicking when the Grizzlies tied the game halfway through the final period.
“We knew we were playing good and that third goal (by the Grizzlies) we didn’t think it was a good goal but it didn’t change the way we played there. We think we made a mistake on that play so we just came out to play the next shift. Kept going and found the back of the net right after.”
While it’s only one win in a long season, this win could, and should, pay huge dividends going forward, the captain agreed.
“It’s huge. It’s important to stay in the moment. We know we have the Showcase (two games in two nights making four games in five nights) and getting the win against a top team like that makes us think we can do anything in this league and gives us a great feel going into the Showcase.”
Speaking about the reliance his club showed in claiming this win, the bench boss noted there was no panic after the tying goal.
“I think as a coaching staff we tried to remain calm. Tried to give them a plan. When there’s a plan, a structure, it’s less chaotic and when it’s less chaotic then there’s a bit more peace. I think the guys at the end executed well and they were rewarded for it.”
The Saints next home games are set for Oct. 30 and 31 against Okotoks and Vernon respectively.
