Both AJHL teams were in action on the final day of round robin action at the WCC. The Oil Barons were posturing for position while the Saints were trying to stay alive.
Spruce Grove Saints (0-3) vs. Portage Terriers (2-1)
Early goals end the Saints attempt at advancing to the playoff round as they fall 4-2 to the Terriers.
Portage scored the lone goals in the first. Chase Faulkner (assists to Taylor Friesen and Andrew Zerban @2:59) redirected his first of the tournament past Saints (starting) goaltender Matthew Murray. Chase Faulkner (assists to Andrew Zerban and Taylor Friesen @9:48) picked up the loose puck and wristed his second of the WCC behind Murray. Shots were 10-5 Spruce Grove.
The Saints would outscore the Terriers 2-1 in the second to get within one. Carson Samoridny (assist to Jordan Thomas @4:02) hammered his second of the championship past Terriers (starting) goaltender Justin Laforest. The two teams would exchange power play goals. Tanner Jago (assists to Landon Peel and Brad Bowles @6:55) drilled his first of the tournament on a one-timer from the point. Colton Leiter (assist to Cole Nicholson @14:30) wrist shot through traffic would find its way into the net for his first of the WCC. Shots favored Portage 13-7 in the second and 18-17 in the hockey game.
The Terriers would get the lone goal in the third. Andrew Zerban (assists to Landon Peel and Tanner Jago @1:52) would go coast to coast and snap his second of the tournament into the net to restore Portages two goal lead. Shots favored the Saints 11-10 in the third and finished even 28-28.
The Saints will look ahead to next season.
Melfort Mustangs (1-2) vs. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (2-1)
Neither team would find the back of the net in the opening frame. Shots favored Melfort 10-8.
Both teams would score a power play goal in the second. Adam Fauchoux (assist to Eric Young @8:26) wristed his first of the tournament past Oil Barons (starting) goaltender Zach Fortin. Jetlan Houcher (unassisted @16:25) would go coast to coast and stuff his first of the WCC past Mustangs (starting) goaltender Richard Palmer. Shots favored Fort McMurray 12-9 in the second and 20-19 in the hockey game.
Once again, both teams would find the back of the net in the third. Teal Sobkowicz (assists to Dakota Boutin and Landon Robin @6:50) turned and wristed his first of the championship off Fortin and into the back of the net. Mark Drohan (assists to Brett McNeil and Adam Durkee @19:43) blasted his first of the tournament over the shoulder of Palmer. Shots were even 11-11 in the third and favored Fort McMurray 31-30 after regulation.
Nearly midway through the first overtime the Oil Barons would get the winner. Mitchell Vanderlaan (unassisted @7:55) would outwait Palmer and tuck his first of the WCC cup into the back of the net. Shots favored the Mustangs 7-3 in overtime and 37-34 overall.
The two teams will meet in the three vs. four game on Saturday with the winner joining Penticton and Portage in the RBC Cup.
Story by Chris Colwell
@Cjcolwell