SPRUCE GROVE, AB – When it comes to the play between the first two games and the one played Wednesday night, the Sherwood Park Crusaders certainly have closed the gap between themselves and their crosstown rivals the Spruce Grove Saints.
Crusader Goaltender Brandon Vogel made a season high 49 saves but it wasn't enough as the Crusaders fell 4-2 to the Spruce Grove Saints Wednesday night, snapping the teams four game winning streak.
After weathering the storm through the first five minutes, it was evident the game could be a close one. Spruce Grove would open the scoring on a nifty passing sequence between Jordan Biro and Austin Parmiter, 13:55 into the first period.
The Crusaders would respond 27 seconds later as rookie Forward Garrett Clegg netted his 13th goal of the season, over the blocker of Saint Goaltender Hayden Missler.
The first period finished tied at one.
Sherwood Park would get their only lead of the hockey game 7:58 into the second on a power play goal from Arjun Atwal.
The lead would last just over eight minutes as the Saints were able to square things up at two as Parker Saretsky buried a feed at the top of the Crusader crease from Jordan Biro on the left wing side.
Things would remain tied at two after the second period.
The Crusaders couldn't muster up a whole lot in the third period with only four shots on goal and the Saints were able to capitalize on their time in the offensive zone. Goals coming less than two minutes apart at 15:31 thanks to Jamieson Ree and Sean Comrie would give the Saints a 4-2 win and their third of the season over the Crusaders.
Sherwood Park will enjoy a week off for their holiday break and resume play next Friday in Fort McMurray for the first of two games against the MOB on the road.
BOXSCORE: Saints 4 Crusaders 2
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