SHERWOOD PARK, AB – In a playoff like game the Sherwood Park Crusaders picked up their third win in a row and 25th of the season with a nail biting 4-3 victory over the Lloydminster Bobcats on Friday night at the Sherwood Park Arena.
It was a roller coaster game as the Crusaders saw a 4-0 evaporate in the third period.
Sherwood Park also needed to use both Goaltenders in their victory as Brandon Vogel was perfect through the first half but needed to leave at the media timeout of the second period.
Vogel’s departure was likely stemming from a collision with Bobcats Forward Braydon Jenkins in the first period.
A play that resulted in a five-minute power play for Sherwood Park.
Forward Dylan Stewart would cash in for the Crusaders on the man-advantage with his 30th of the year.
With Vogel leaving the Crusader crease, affiliate netminder Ben RIshaug came in relief and was tested immediately.
The Crusaders would add to their lead after Rishaug made his third save of the game off of Bobcat Forward Kobe Walker on a two on one, then immediately after, Forward Ryan Cox would get on the board with his 35th goal of the season.
In the third period Sherwood Park added to their lead with a pair of goals 34 seconds apart two minutes into the final frame courtesy of Tyson Gruninger and Arjun Atwal.
Rishaug would be tested in the third period as the Crusaders ran into discipline issues, allowing the Bobcats to claw back in the game with a pair of power play goals from Connor Odelein and Tucker Scantelbury.
One of Lloydminster’s top scorers in Zach Kaiser would get the Bobcats within one as he scored his 30th of the season at 9:57 of the third.
Sherwood Park held off the late Bobcat attack with the empty net and skate away with the 4-3 victory.
The Crusaders return to the ice Saturday evening as they host the Calgary Canucks at the Sherwood Park Arena.
BOXSCORE: Crusaders 4 Bobcats 3
VIDEO: Post Game Wrap
VIDEO: Highlights