The Blackfalds Bulldogs dropped a 4-3 overtime decision to the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Saturday night at Sherwood Park Arena, a result that felt more strategic than competitive in the end. With playoffs looming, Blackfalds sat out most of their top players, clearly prioritizing rest and preservation over a late-season road game—a move that makes plenty of sense for a team sitting comfortably in second place. At the same time, it handed the Crusaders a much-needed boost of confidence right when they probably had very little left after falling in overtime to the Okotoks Oilers the night before. Sherwood Park came out looking like they were in a Game 7 fight for their playoff lives, skating hard and battling every shift, while the Bulldogs glided through the contest like it was nothing more than a leisurely fun skate. The game itself lacked real spark or intensity through regulation, staying tight at 3-3 after a back-and-forth first period and a quieter second and third, before Ryan White cashed in early in OT for the hosts. Whether this “let-them-win” vibe comes back to bite Blackfalds down the line remains to be seen, but giving a hungry lower-seeded team like Sherwood Park some late momentum heading into the postseason could prove more costly than expected.
Danny Hussa made it a 1-0 game for the Bulldogs early at 1:19 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Nicholas DiPaolo and Dean Toskos. The announcer said it was Brady Smith that scored but you could tell clear as day it was Hussa.
Stevie Grumley tied the game up for the Crusaders almost right after at 1:53 of the first period with his 17th goal of the season. Unassisted.
Danny Hussa got his second goal of the game and 14th of the season at 12:59 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to “AP” Santa Monica, California native Henry Kress and Luke Dahlen.
Tommy Coccaro ties the game back up for the Crusaders at 18:43 of the first period. The helper on the goal went to Rockston Ror-Chow.
Shots on goal in the first period were 7 each
Braeden O’Keefe makes it a 3-2 game for the Crusaders at 3:09 of the second period unassisted.
Matthew Croxall ties the game up for the Bulldogs at 13:40 of the second period. The assist on the goal went to Antoine Gauthier.
Shots on goal in the second period were 7 each
Shots on goal in the third period were 7-6 for the Bulldogs
Crusaders score in overtime at 1:38 of the overtime with Ryan White soring the winner. The assists on the goal went to Michael Mikin and Bode Sampair.
Shots on goal in overtime were 2 each. The Bulldogs outshot the Crusaders 23-22 in the game.
Jack Scali stopped 20 of the 23 shots that he faced for the win for the Crusaders. For the Bulldogs Oliver Kiraly stopped 17 of the 21 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Cooper Sharp 2) Braeden O’Keefe 3) Quincy Supprien (20 year olds)
Attendance in Sherwood Park was 984
Bulldogs next game is Playoffs game #1 in Blackfalds against the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
