he Blackfalds Bulldogs dug deep and pulled out a thrilling 4-3 win over the Spruce Grove Saints in front of a fired-up home crowd Friday night at the Eagle Builders Centre, sending the Bulldogs faithful home happy with two big points in the standings. It looked dicey early when the Bulldogs handed Spruce Grove four power plays in the first period, and the Saints even grabbed a 1-0 lead on a shorthanded marker from Ben Buckley. But Nick DiPaolo answered right back on the man-advantage to tie it 1-1, and the Bulldogs penalty kill – plus 14 sharp saves from Joseph Quintilio – kept the damage to a minimum. The home side flipped the script right out of the gate in the second, as Luke Dahlen (his league-best 17th) and DiPaolo (his second of the night) scored 43 seconds apart to put Blackfalds ahead 3-1 just over two minutes in. Spruce Grove’s Brandon Funk cut it to 3-2 later in the frame, and DiPaolo nearly completed the hat trick on a late penalty shot only to ring the post. The Saints showed their grit in the third when Carson Lloyd wired one through traffic to knot it 3-3, but a late power play gave the Bulldogs their chance. After Quintilio robbed the Bulldogs twice, Matthew Croxall banged home the rebound with 1:31 left to seal the 4-3 victory. Carson Mertz picked up the win with 22 saves, while Quintilio took the tough-luck loss despite stopping 28 of 32. The same two clubs go right back at it Sunday afternoon in Spruce Grove – 2:00 p.m. puck drop – as the Saints honor their 1975 Centennial Cup champs. Here’s hoping the Bulldogs can sweep the weekend set on the road.
Ben Buckley scores for the Saints short handed to make it a 1-0 game at 4:08 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Max Holland and former Portland Winterhawk Brodie Hankel.
Nick DiPaolo tied the game back up while on the Power Play just moments later at 4:54 of the first period. The assists on the goal went to Nikita Meshcheryakov and Alex Bosland.
Shots on goal in the first period were 15-11 for the Bulldogs
Luke Dahlen scored his league leading 17th goal of the season just 1:25 into the second period to make it a 2-1 game for the Bulldogs. The assists on the goal went to Noah Mertz and Thomas Neu.
Nick DiPaolo scored his second goal of the game and 9th of the season at 2:08 of the second period. The assists on the goal went to Dean Toskos and Nikita Meshcheryakov.
Brandon Funk got the Saints within one at 13:00 of the second period with the helpers going to James Richards and Kohyn Pipke.
DiPaolo had a terrific look at a hat-trick goal in the 2nd period with a late frame penalty shot attempt, being hauled down on a breakaway but after a few dangles toward the net, he had his shot go off the left post and stay out to keep the game at 3-2 heading into the 3rd period.
Shots on goal in the second period were 8-6 for the Saints
Carsen Lloyd ties the game up for the Saints at 8:56 of the third period unassisted.
In the worst case of little mans syndrome I have ever seen in sports the Saints Captain took a very stupid penalty for no other reason than thinking he was tough. It cost the team the game.🤣Matthew Croxall went on to score the game winner at 18:29 of the third period to make the game 4-3. The assists on the goal went to Nick DiPaolo and Nikita Meshcheryakov.
Shots on goal in the third period were 11-6 for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs outshot the Saints 32-25
Carson Mertz made 22 saves on the 25 shots that he face for the win for the Bulldogs. For the Saints Joseph Quintilo made 28 saves on the 32 shots that he faced.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Nicholas DiPaolo 2) Nikita Mesheryakov 3) Carson Lloyd
Attendance in Blackfalds was 791
Bulldogs next game is Sunday in Spruce Grove against the Saints. Apparently the Saints are going to wear Spruce Grove Mets Jerseys, The team was called the Edmonton Mets back in the 70’s in the AJHL.
