Sherwood Park, AB: The Sherwood Park Crusaders faced off against the Lloydminster Bobcats for the 5th time in 3 weeks on Saturday Night, looking to improve on their 3-1-0 exhibition season. The hero of the last matchup between these two teams, Carson Cherepak, got the start for the Crusaders, while his counterpart was Axel Rosenlund.
A quiet first period kicked this game off, as neither team found the scoresheet. Sherwood Park thought they’d broken the deadlock when Liam Hughes pounced on a rebound, but the goal was waved off due to the net being off the moorings. The period ended with both goalies looking strong, with Cherepak making nine saves, while Rosenlund stopped 11.
The second period started significantly quicker, as Ethan Aucoin gave the Bobcats a 1-0 lead, just 1:08 into the period with his 3rd of the exhibition games. The lead would only last eight minutes or so, as Matthew Savoie scored his first AJHL goal to tie things up for Crusaders. Five minutes after that, Sherwood Park would take their first lead of the night, as Ty Ettinger scored his first of the exhibition season to give the Crusaders a 2-1 lead after two periods. Shots were 14-6 in the period, in favour of Sherwood Park.
The third started with a five on three power play for Sherwood Park, but they couldn’t find the insurance marker that they wanted. Lloydminster would tie the game on an unassisted goal by Tegan Skehar, as his cross-ice pass deflected in off of a Crusader. The score would not stay tied for long, as Ty Mueller scored the eventual winning-goal just a minute and a half later.
The Crusaders now move to 4-1-0 in their exhibition series against the Bobcats. Offensively, Matthew Savoie led the way with two points (one goal, one assist) and, between the pipes, Carson Cherepak made 24 saves for his 2nd win of the year.
Next up, the Crusaders head down the Yellowhead to faceoff the Bobcats tomorrow night. Fans can catch the game live at Average Joe’s Sports Bar in Sherwood Park at 7:30 p.m.