Special announcement from the city of Spruce Grove they are moving to a new arena. Thats awesome for them. Their arena isn’t all that bad though on TV I haven’t been in there since the early 2000’s. I hope some other franchises follow suit. I don’t need to name them we all know who they are. So early 2025 the Saints will move during the season into their new arena.
Bulldogs fell 4-1 to Spruce Grove making it their 4th straight loss. December has not been a good month for the Bulldogs.
It was a scoreless first period. Shots on goal in the opening period 11-7 for the Bulldogs
RPI commit Carter Oakenfold scores to make it 1-0 Saints at 3:19 of the second period with the assist going to Nathan Hawkins.
Banff native Keifer Miller makes it 2-0 by kicking it in the net. Assists on the goal went to Adam Lang and Evan Sundar Really though the refs had been handing the Bulldogs chances to score alot earlier and they never capitalized, just passed the puck around and shot it directly into DeKok’s chest. Even the Spruce Grove announcers point out that the Bulldogs shoot the puck directly on the goalie. “Right into the goalies chest everytime” they said as they laugh together.
Shots on goal in the middle frame were 10-8 saints
Bulldogs were down in the Saints end playing pass around and more pass around then lost it messing around with and gave it up to the Saints. Who marched down and scored to make it 3-0. Gryason Niehaus scores first ajhl goal at 1:11 of the third period. The assist on the goal went to Carter Oakenfold.
Bulldogs are now on the Power Play for 4 minutes after the saints got a double minor for kneeing. The Bulldogs are 0 for 5 on the Power Play tonight so they are probably not that worried. De Kok actually had to make a save a on a shot this power play too It was nice. He probably isn’t use to moving.
Jayden Joly scored at 8:17 of the third period to finally put the Bulldogs on the board and make it 3-1. The assists on the goal to Brendan Ross and Tanner Willick. The goal was on the Power Play but there was only 15 seconds left on it. The Bulldogs were just finishing up a 4 minute Power Play. A PP they were 0 for 6 until they scored that goal.
To make it easier for the Bulldogs they got another 4 minute Power Play. Cody Pisarcyzk was high sticked by Austin McNally and after seeing the replay that was pretty bad. A few years ago if that happened they could of just threw off their helmets beat the crap out of each other and then just got 5 minute penalties.
There is 3:25 left in the game I wonder when they will pull their goalie tonight. Almost now is the norm may as well get them another goal sooner than later. I wrote that line before I looked up and the goalie was gone. Its like clockwork and with 3:18 right off the draw Saints scored. Former Olds Grizzlys Tristan Baumung put it into the empty net with the assist going to Alexander Babich. This all sounds very familiar. Like I have seen this before.
If I dig back more there are numerous games of the Bulldogs yanking the goalie with 3 minutes left and getting scored on.
Ryan DeKok made 29 stops on the 30 shots that he faced for the win. While Ethan Morrow made 22 saves on the 25 shots that he faced.
Three Stars were 1) Ryan DeKok 2) Ethan Morrow 3) Carter Oakenfold
Attendance in Spruce Grove was 938
Bulldogs next game is December 30th in Spruce Grove again. Then on New Years Eve December 31st the Bulldogs play the Calgary Canucks at the EBC at 4pm.
Former Bulldog Matt Hanscom now plays for the New Hampshire Mountain Kings of the NAHL. He is on a team with former Bulldog Jack DesRuisseaux and a guy who played with the Bulldogs briefly last season Conner Chalmers.