The Blackfalds Bulldogs earned a much-needed 6-3 road victory over the Spruce Grove Saints last night, bouncing back impressively from a disappointing performance the previous Sunday. teams brought strong efforts in a competitive matchup, but the Bulldogs’ sharper execution made the difference. The win provided a welcome boost for Blackfalds after a tough outing just days earlier. The evening had its share of entertainment before the puck even dropped. The Saints continue their fun tradition of bringing out “Bill Nye the Science Guy” alongside their infamous Chucky doll mascot to fire T-shirts into the crowd. That Chucky figure remains undeniably creepy—picture a Cabbage Patch Kid that’s seen a few too many late nights and hard substances. You would think it would give kids nightmares and ironically enough its a kid dressed in it. Playing in Spruce Grove’s sleek new arena also added to the atmosphere; the modern facility is a significant upgrade from the Saints’ old barn and makes for a far more enjoyable to watch. Unable to access the usual FloHockey away broadcast, I tuned into the Spruce Grove radio crew instead—and they delivered a solid, professional call throughout the game. Which is strange the option wasn’t on the TV as Stinson was obviously at the game.
The Saints opened up the scoring at 18:04 of the first period with Tre Peck scoring his 8th goal of the season. The assists on the goal went to Declan Waddick and Brandon Funk.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-8 for the Saints
Alex Bosland ties the game up on the Power Play at 8:38 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Nikita Meshcheryakov and Antoine Gauthier.
Nikita Ivashchenko made it 2-1 when he tried to pass but it deflected off the Saint’s at 11:49 of the second period they gave the assist on the goal to Nikita Meshcheryakov. Thats Ivashchenko’s 13th goal of the season.
Saints tied it up on the Power Play when James Richards got his first goal of the season on a point shot that fooled Mertz. The assists on the goal went to Junior Podein and Tre Peck at 18:17 of the second period.
Shots on goal in the second period were 9-7 for the Bulldogs
Matthew Croxall makes it 3-2 1:42 into the third period with the assists on the goal going to Alex Bosland and Carson Mertz.
Jared Langdon makes it 4-2 for the Bulldogs firing one in from the slot at 5:54 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Luke Dahlen and Danny Hussa.
Saints get within one at 13:48 of the third period when Seymour, Connecticut native Michael Azzarone gets his 4th goal of the season with the assists on the goal going to James Richards and Spencer Rheamue.
Noah Mertz shot it Saints say its a save Mertz looked positive it was a goal told them to go upstairs ect ect its a goal even the announcers on tv said “Brady Bakke told the linesman we pulled it up on our phones its a goal”🤣🤣🤣🤣How did it take the refs so long. This was at 18:04 of the third period with the assists on the goal going to Luke Dahlen and Jared Langdon. I mean he caught the puck amazingly with his glove. Highlight reel in every aspect minus the fact he caught it inside the net when it was already a goal.
Luke Dahlen then fires it into the empty net making it a 6-3 Bulldogs game at 19:21 of the third period unassisted. That is Dahlen’s 19th goal of the season.
Shots on goal in the third period were 12-8 for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs outshot the Saints 29-26 in the game.
Carson Mertz made 23 saves on the 26 shots that he faced for the win for the Bulldogs. For the Saints Joseph Quintilio made 23 saves on the 27 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Nikita Meshcheryakov 2) Tre Peck 3) Nikita Ivashchenko
Attendance in Spruce Grove was 1256
Bulldogs next game is December 19th in Salmon Arm against the Silverbacks. The Bulldogs next home game is January 2nd against the West Kelowna Warriors.
