Sherwood Park, AB: The Sherwood Park Crusaders played their first home game of 2019 on Friday night versus the Canmore Eagles. This matchup was the first between the two since last January when the Crusaders defeated the Eagles 3-2 at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
Nick Bowman got the scoring start midway through the first period with Garrett Clegg and Arjun Atwal picking up the assists. Shortly after, a quick snapshot from Alex Young tied up the game at 1-1 with six minutes to go in the opening period. However, the Crusaders responded well. In the defensive zone, Michael Benning managed to break up a two-on-one breakaway for the Eagles which was then turned up the ice and resulted in a goal from Cody Laskosky. That goal sent the Crusaders into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
Now in the second, Sherwood Park started brightly with a powerplay goal from Jack Hamly somehow squeaking by Thomas Davis in the Eagles goal making it 3-1. However, much like the Crusaders did in the first period, the Eagles went up the ice just over a minute late and pulled the game within one again from Young. The goals kept coming in the period from both teams. Cody Laskoksy picked up two more goals to give himself a hat trick on the night, and Will Zapernick for his 20th goal of the season. The Eagles would get one more from Max Giangualano which sent us into the final intermission at 6-3 to the Crusaders. Also, Taden Rattie was ejected from the game after receiving at 5-minute Match Penalty for checking from behind.
In the final period, the Crusaders managed to hold onto their lead despite immense pressure from the Eagles. Canmore did get two goals both coming from either end of the period from Young, again, who finished with four goals on the night. Final score at the Sherwood Park Arena finishes with the Crusaders defeating the Canmore Eagles 6-5.