It was Pack The Rink night in Blackfalds. Really nice seeing weekend games where fans can come out to. Unlike that joke of a season the AJHL did last season with most of the games on weekdays to get not even half the normal crowds in arenas.
The amount of penalties called in this game were ridiculos. You would of thought the ref, who looks like Paul Blart from Mall Cop, was getting paid commission. I felt bad for the time keeper trying to keep track of it all.
Only 1 player on the Bulldogs roster from Alberta playing today. I use to roll my eyes when I would see Brooks have that on their roster. Now its here.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts native and Merrimack College commit Chris Battaini made it a 1-0 game for the Crusaders when he snuck one past Waylon Esche short side at 4:13 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Connor Gengle and Secaucus, New Jersey native and UMass commit John Alex Banks.
Luke Dahlen laid a clean hit (one of very few you ever see laid in these games) after that some kid on the Crusaders who might weigh about 100 pounds got upset and wanted to fight. Over a clean hit. Then looked like an idiot and got beat. The lack of hitting watching these games is disturbing. What is the point of even bother to keep your head up. No ones going to hit you.
Poul Andersen scored short handed for the Crusaders at 5:35 of the first period on a very horrible turnover by the Bulldogs. I am assuming that kids first name is pronounced Paul but I am not quite certain it could be like Rah-ool but Pah-ool. Or Pole or even pool?. If its pronounced Paul I am sorry I have to question the parents logic there. Either way the Minnesota native made it 2-0. Andersen is committed to the University of Maine. The assists on the goal went to Connor Gengle and Trois Riviers, Quebec native Jeremy Loranger.
John Alex Banks made it a 3-0 game on the Power Play at 7:08 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Kale Dach and Poul.
Aidan Castle who played for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL last season gets the Bulldogs on the board at 15:32 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to former Pickering Panter Jamie Darlison and California native Tyler Chiovetti.
Christian Chouha made it a 4-1 game when he scored for the Crusaders on the Power Play at 17:04 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Conor Gengle and Penn State commit and Niagara, Ontario native Jude Bray. Ironically enough I know this Huderite out here with the exact name Jude Bray I am assuming there is absolutely no relation.
Shots on goal in the first period were 16-7 for Sherwood Park
North Vancouver native Shane Purves scored for the Bulldogs at 4:02 of the second period to cut the Crusaders lead to 4-2. The assists on the goal went to former Bonnyville Pontiac Jack McAra and Toronto native Wolf Giles.
Jeremy Loranger made it 5-2 for the Crusaders on the Power Play from John Alex Banks and former Melfort Mustang goalie James Venne at 11:37 of the second frame.
Jayden Joly went coast to coast to cut the lead to 5-3 at 12:52 of the second period on the Power Play. Shane Purves picked up the assist on the goal.
Nicolas Beaudoin made it a 6-3 game for the Crusaders at 13:03 of the second period unassisted. Beaudoin. If the name sounds familiar he played with the Bonnyville Pontiacs for the last 3 seasons.
Shots on goal in the second period were 16-6 for the Bulldogs
Poul scored his second goal of the game to make it a 7-3 game at 17:09 of the third period on the Power Play. The assists on the goal went to John Alex Banks and Jeremy Loranger.
Shots on goal in the third period were 11-10 for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs outshot the Crusaders 34-32 in the game.
James Venne made 31 saves on the 34 shots that he faced for the win for the Crusaders. For the Bulldogs Waylon Esche made 25 saves on the 32 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) John Alex Banks 2) Connor Gengle 3) Shane Purves
Attendance in Blackfalds was 1,118
Bulldogs next game is Saturday September 21st against the Spruce Grove Saints in Blackfalds.
Josh Knittig signed with the North Battleford North Stars of the SJHL and played in his first game Friday night. Guy was a fan favorite Battlefords are lucky to have him.
Someone was on the Powerplay virtually the whole game. By no means am I saying the refing was one sided. They just called everything, that they seen. The game was a penalty-filled affair, with almost 80 minutes handed out. The Bulldogs finished the night 1-for-6 on the power play. The Crusaders went 4-for-10 with the man advantage.
