Sherwood Park, AB: The Sherwood Park Crusaders split their weekend series against the Spruce Grove Saints 1-1 to move to 19-2-0 on the season.
On Friday night, Michael Benning (University of Denver) gave the Crusaders a 1-0 lead five minutes into the second period. He blasted a one timer over the shoulder of Matthew Davis in the Saints goal with the assists coming from Blake Sydlowski and Brett Wieschorster (University of Vermont). Spruce Grove responded to the goal with three of their own to take the game 3-1 and hand Sherwood Park only their second loss of the season; there first one home ice.
The next night, Sherwood Park responded positively defeating Spruce Grove 6-2 at the Grant Fuhr Arena. William Zapernick (University of Alabama-Huntsville) and Carter Savoie (University of Denver) scored in the opening 20 minutes of play giving the Crusaders a 2-0 lead. The Saints grabbed one back from Cole Basnett; however, the Crusaders then stretched their lead out to three with goals coming from Kaden Bryant and Savoie for his second of the game. Ethan Edwards grabbed one midway through the third period for the Saints, but two empty net goals from Bryant and Savoie – to complete his hat trick – finished the Saints off and gave the Crusades a 6-2 win.
Carter Gylander was solid between the pipes in both games and was named the AJHL Alberta Ford Dealers defensive player of the week.
Next up, the Crusaders host the Lloydminster Bobcats in their Hockey Hooky game on Wednesday afternoon with the puck dropping at noon. Then on Monday, the Bonnyville Pontiacs are in town for their first visit to the Sherwood Park Arena this season. Tickets are available right now for both games here.