You can’t comeback to win if you're in the penalty box

After a pair of losses at the showcase the Spruce Grove Saints filled their open roster spot, originally presumed to be for forward Luke Norcross, on a new goaltender. Welcome Alexander Levshyn, most recently of the Prince George Cougars of the WHL.

Levshyn made three saves on the Saints first penalty kill of the game. Alexy Lachaine carries the puck up the ice with numbers on the Bulldogs and scores to tie the game. This is the first shorthanded goal of the season for the Saints.

The Saints first powerplay was coming out of the media break in the second period, a 4-minute opportunity. Three minutes of it was frustration watching them miss the net and attempt 20-foot drop passes. Then Junior Podein gets set up and robbed. Play continues and Felix Haibock scores from near the blueline.

33 seconds later, Owen Leckelt dumps the puck in. The Bulldogs goalie behind the net with the puck gets poke-checked by Scott Sandilands. Leckelt collects the puck and deposits it into the net to tie the game.

This is the proverbial "need a save from your goalie" situation. Levshyn was there to stop the first Bulldogs rush but less than a minute after the Saints tied the game, Blackfalds regained their lead.

Now the "need a save from your goalie" situation switches to Blackfalds for the final 1:24 of the second period. Podein-Haibock-Lachaine with a golden opportunity, the Bulldogs got the save they needed.

The third period featured some penalty free big hits by the Saints Brett Barnes (times two), Gabriel Kenny and Cole Bent but the Club still took four minors. I've been critical of Haibock and his decision making when it comes being a chippy player instead of the offensive player he can be but I will defend him here. The penalty against him was literally just because the Bulldog was falling and Felix is 6'3".

With approximately 5 minutes remaining, Sandilands with a scoring chance, is knocked down, no penalty called. In hindsight, this non-call may have been what sealed the Saints fate.

With 2:33 remaining, Lucas Cilan takes a bad penalty but the refs could/should have take the Bulldogs player for embellishment. The Saints bring the puck down the ice and pull their goalie. Which worked for a scoring opportunity but ended up back in their own zone requiring Haibock to make a save. A panic penalty gave the Bulldogs on 2-man advantage and vanquished any chance of tying the game. 

NEXT UP:

Three games in three days in BC. Feels like the upcoming weekend will be the last game for one of the three currently rostered goaltenders (most teams do not run with three netminders). UPDATE: Joseph Quintilio has been traded to Brooks for a player development fee. Not the goalie I thought would be moved.