Crusaders vs. Saints (Series tied 2-2)
The North Division Semi Final series between Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove continues to be great for the road team as the Saints were able to earn a 4-3 victory to tie the series at 2-2.
Spruce Grove would open the scoring as Tyler Busch banged in a rebound after Crusaders goaltender Tommy Nixon made a couple of big saves, the goal came on the power play at 12:05 of the opening period.
Just 25 seconds after that Dylan Hollman would score on the rebound to make it 2-0 for the Saints at the 12:30 mark of the opening period.
The Crusaders answer back as Arthur Gordon tipped in Colten Meavers point shot on the power play at 15:36 of the opening period.
The Crusaders would take a late penalty but kill it off and after one period Spruce Grove held a 2-1 lead.
In the second the Saints power play went back to work as Carson Samoridny snapped a point shot behind Nixon at 6:24 to give the Saints their two goal lead back.
Later in the period the Saints would add to their lead as they crashed the net and Geoffrey Crisfield banged the puck behind Nixon at 9:35 to make it 4-1.
The Crusaders would answer back as Caleb Belter got free behind the Saints defence and fired the puck behind Saints goaltender Tanner McCorriston at 10:28 of the second period.
That goal seemed to spark the Crusaders as late in the second period (19:13) Ryan Kruper would crash the front of the net and jam the puck behind McCorriston to make it 4-3 Saints after two periods.
The Crusaders would push in the third period but couldn’t find a way to tie the game.
The Saints outshot the Crusaders 35-23.
Tanner McCorriston made 20 saves and improved his post season record to 2-1.
Tommy Nixon made 31 saves for the Crusaders but his post season record dropped to 5-2.
Game five of the series goes on Friday night in Spruce Grove.
Story by Chris Colwell
