WIth playoff hopes hanging in the balances, the Sherwood Park Crusaders have put themselves in a precarious postion heading into Monday.
Closing out the season series against Whitecourt on Friday, things started out in the Cru’s favor. Wyatt Marlow finishes off a pretty pass from Cade Christenson to take an early lead, but a late first period goal by Thomas Vela tied things up and it was mostly Whitecourt from there. An unlucky bounce gave the Wolverines a 2-1 lead, and Carmelo Crandell broke his goal-scoring drought to tie the game at two but four unanswered goals from the visiting side put things out of reach. Christenson added a goal to make it 6-3 but two empty netters were added and the Crusaders headed into Camrose with a 8-3 defeat.
The following night was a much more favorable relust for SHerwood Park, as Evan Arnold got the game started with an early powerplay goal. Tio D’addario tied the game back up at one, and Bruce MacGregor and Ryan Sullivan traded goals halfway through the second. Cade Christenson potted his second in as many games to retake the lead, and Jace Benvie scored shorthanded just six minutes into the third for his first goal as a Crusader. Gus Bylin made the start, stopping 19 of 21 shots for the win.
Sherwood Park closes out their regular season on Family Day afternoon at home against the Drayton Valley Thunder.