Spruce Grove Saints Game 1, Game won!

 

Over a decade in Sherwood Park as a volunteer for the Crusaders, last night in Spruce Grove was fun. As a new season ticket holder for the Saints, with handfuls of Crusaders fans in attendance giving me the gears for switching allegiances, the 2026-27 season started with a nail biting win!

Entering the Thompson Family Arena one wondered who the scratches for the Saints were going to be. The question answered itself when Blair Erickson and Owen Cronan were on the concourse distributing tickets for the first intermission shoot to win game.

ROOKIES REPORT 

 Eight Saints made their BCHL debuts with defenseman Michael Zuyev and forward Lucas Cilan out to take the opening draw. Zuyev was paired with incumbent Kohyn Pipke, which after seeing the chemistry he had with another rookie in Cole Bent during the preseason finale somewhat surprised. Owen Leckelt and Scott Sandilands were the two experienced forwards flanking Cilan. Zuyev earned the honour of being the first Saint to hit the post. This forward grouping spent a bit too much time in their defensive zone which is not ideal.

Lucas Achim and Richard Krnac were the first rookies to collect points as they both assisted on defenseman Brett Barnes goal to tie the game at one. The play started with rookie defenseman Jacob Hamel keeping the puck in on an attempted clear. Hamel and Zuyev both showed solid offensive instincts including the important attribute of shooting the puck!

Achim also assisted on the next two Saints goals, both of which were on the powerplay. Staying with Achim, he drew the first penalty of the game hustling to the Crusaders net. Number 16 definitely drew a lot of positive attention which according to the Saints play-by-play commentary team he expected as he made sure they knew how to pronounce Achim. Cannot recall hearing Krnac's name after the opening period. 

Patrick Woods had a Gabriel Kenny rebound come to him at the corner of the crease two minutes into the game but the window to tap it in closed too quick. Later in the opening period, Woods tried the old lacrosse tactics of a shot on net with the intention being creating a rebound for the trailer to scoop up but fellow rookie Gavin McNeil was a tad too far back. Woods and McNeil paired together the first time the teams played four-on-four.

The Commits

Felix Haibock and Junior Podein, both committed to Western Michigan University, were standouts. 

Haibock's goal (view it on Instagram) will be in the goal of the year conversation throughout the season. Every time one of his teammates was touched post whistle, he was there with his imposing 6'3" reminding the opponents to keep the action between the whistles. A captain C could appear on his jersey. 

Podein was mister hustle. He was always pushing the puck, pushing the pace. Three assists were his rewards for his efforts. At the 6:04 mark of the third period, Podein was absolutely robbed of a goal in what will be save of the year candidate. 

More Notes

Alexy Lachaine scored twice including the game winner.  His customary teammates on the night were the previously listed "commits". He was the sole forward during the late game Crusaders 5-on-3 advantage. 

Pipke left quite an impression from the preseason and continued on that pathway. Physical in all three zones. Kenny, wearing the "A", also made his physical presence felt wherever the action is. Kenny ages out after this season, that "A" could land on Pipke's jersey. 

Forward Noah Taylor, the Saints one trade acquisition from Vernon, quietly had a solid game. Defenseman Brodie Kay also quietly had a solid game including a long and important role during the previously mentioned late game penalty problems. 

The Scott Sandilands double minor in the last minute brings up a rule change I would like to see. If a player shows you blood, causing the minor to become a double minor, he should have to leave the ice. The Crusader player showed blood, then stayed out for the powerplay, just seems wrong does it not?