Spruce Grove Saints first game impressions

First Spruce Grove Saints game as a season ticket holder. Weird cheering for them (here is why) So excited for this season, actually attending an exhibition game. Coming from over a decade in Sherwood Park I absolutely love how bright Thompson Family Arena is!

Impressed by both goaltenders, interested by the size difference between Colten Scott (listed at 5'11") and Joseph Quintilio (listed at 6'4").

Got a lot of Kohyn Pipke and Cole Bent as a defensive pairing. Both are listed under 6 feet, neither ever looked overmatched. Pipke caught a lot of my attention as he looked comfortable playing physical in all three zones.

Big 6'7" Blair Erickson struggled the first half of the game seemingly always a second behind. The young man caught up to the game in the second half. 

Nikolas Salo (he is from Singapore, the Tommy you are thinking off is from Sweden) was burned badly on Blackfalds' second goal but otherwise didn't look like someone getting their feet wet in the BCHL. Jacob Hamel from the Q took a beating out there, didn't deter him a bit. 

The most experienced BCHL'er defender on the Saints is Gabriel Kenny. He seemingly knocked somebody down each shift, which seemed fewer than the others as the Club dressed 7D. Definitely looking forward to more of him.

On the offensive end, you always root for your jersey number, tonight (this exhibition season) it has been worn by Patrick Woods. No points for his efforts but a couple good scoring opportunities. 

Alexy Lachaine became visible in the third period with multiple solid plays in his defensive zone. Lachaine also took one of the harder hits of the game popping off his helmet and having him count his own teeth. Did not miss a shift, actually had his most productive shift in the offensive zone that shift.

Your goal scorers were Scott Sandilands and Noah Osland (on a 6-on-4).  Of the two through the course of the game, Osland drew more of my attention.

Owen Leckelt received the hardest hit of the game drawing ooh's and aah's from the crowd as it was a clean open ice hit. Overall, this feels like a game one should not judge the 73-game BCHL player.

Owen Cronan seemed to be on the ice every second shift up until his second period fight. He was always around the puck.

NEXT UP:

Friday September 18, regular season home opener versus the Sherwood Park Crusaders. Excited to see what the "real" starting lineup shakes out to be. 

We only saw listed starters from last season Adam Perron and Junior Podein play one exhibition game against Brooks. Which auditioning players will be joining the incumbents?

Good times ahead!