Sherwood Park, AB: The Sherwood Park Crusaders ended their 2019 home campaign with a 6-3 win over the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
Sherwood Park found themselves down, however, when Justin Stathopolous opened the scoring for Bonnyville with his sixth of the season. Despite the deficit, the Crusaders showed resilience and scored two quick goals at the end of the period. The first game from Reid Irwin (University of Denver) who?s wrist shot on the powerplay made its way through a crowd and by Easton Hesse in the Pontiacs goal. Sherwood Park?s second came immediately after. Brennan McDonnell pushed the puck down the ice to Jacob Kendall who tipped the pass into the path of rookie forward Nick Magis. Magis drove towards the Pontiacs goal with speed a fired a hard shot at Hesse which beat the Pontiacs goaltender on the near post.
In the second period, the Crusaders struck one again extend their lead to two. A well executed passing play from Jacob Franczak to Tanner Fincaryk was then finished off by 20 year old forward Jarred White (University of Alabama-Huntsville) who made a nice move to knock it around Hesse.
Sherwood Park put the game away in the third period putting three past the Pontiacs. Carter Savoie (University of Denver) scored the teams fourth after he sent himself on a shorthanded breakaway for his 32nd of the season. Savoie got on the board again later on with potential the goal of the season. That clip can be seen here.
Franczak got in on the action late in the frame to take his tally to eight on the season.
The Pontiacs scored a pair in the final frame from Bruce MacGregor and Matthew McKim but it proved not to be enough.
Next up, the Crusaders travel to Lloydminster this afternoon for their final game before the Christmas break. Fans not making the trip can watch the game live at Average Joe?s Sports Bar in Sherwood Park.