The West Kelowna Warriors are better than the Spruce Grove Saints

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Colten Scott gets the net back for the Spruce Grove Saints as they try to avoid a 6-game losing streak. Avoiding spending the first minute of the game hemmed into their own zone would be a start.

Lucas Cilan, drawing in for Gavin McNeil, won the opening faceoff and his linemates Cash Lanigan and Lucas Achim got some offensive zone time. The low bar of having a good first minute has been cleared!

How about scoring the first goal? Foible with this plan...West Kelowna were outshooting Spruce 7-0 going into the first media break. Michael Zuyev with the first Saints shot with 6:24 remaining. Owen Cronan and Lanigan with shots ahead of a stoppage in play with 1:35 remaining in the opening period. Warriors lead 1-0.

The Warriors had a minute left in their third powerplay of the game entering the second period. Their second powerplay goal of the game ensued, Saints down 2-0. If you're a wrestling fan the shots at this point are 3:16.

Junior Podein draws a penalty. Achim draws another penalty for some 5-on-3 time. Felix Haibock with the best scoring chance. Then with 1:01 remaining in the man advantage the Saints take a too many men penalty. 

Third period starts with the teams playing 4-on-4. Haibock drives to the net, the Saints announcer thought it was a trip by the West Kelowna goalie. It ended up being goalie interference on Haibock, which makes no sense. Warriors powerplay completes their hat-trick, it is now 4-0. 

The Saints powerplay finished 0-4 while the Warriors finished 4-7. Special teams are a part of the problem for the last place Saints.

Podein was robbed by West Kelowna's starting goaltender and by the Warriors backup who came in as an injury replacement. Podein has been held off the scoresheet throughout what is now a 6-game slide. 

Leading rookie Achim only has one point during this disappointing spell while McNeil, the second leading rookie scorer, was scratched for this game. Cronan and Richard Krnac both had multiple chances this game. Cronan is still looking for his first BCHL point while both of Krnac's points were registered back in September. 

The Saints are in the bottom three for goals scored, and top two of penalty minutes in the BCHL. "Reinforcements" Cash Lanigan and Max Finley are yet to register a point as Saints but sit in the top five in penalty minutes. 

Maybe being back in Spruce this upcoming weekend on Friday and Saturday will magically fix everything. 
 

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