The Fort McMurray Oil Barons met the Spruce Grove Saints for a third time in a week and the fourth time in their first 12 games of the season Sunday afternoon.
The MOB were wrapping up their three game road trip through the Edmonton area and were able to have a strong start but it was the Saints who would come out on top 5-2.
It was the Saints (10-2-0) third victory over the MOB (4-7-1) this season as they remained perfect on home ice at the Grant Fuhr Arena.
The Barons struck first 6:20 into the first period when Tyler Wallace finished off a nice three-way passing play with Ty Budai and Alec Johnson.
The Barons got into penalty trouble mid-way through the period.The Saints scored ten seconds into their five-on-three power play when Ryan Peckford hammered a shot past Evan Fradette.
With the Barons still shorthanded Jesse Burchart came up ice and was stopped by the Saints defence but the puck bounced to a streaking Wallace who blew past two Saints players and cut in towards the Saints goal. With a quick move Wallace buried his second goal of the period and third of the weekend to give the MOB their lead back.
The Saints tied the game once again at 16:12 when Colson Gengenbach beat Fradette high over the glove hand as the teams headed to the dressing room tied 2-2.
The second period saw more penalties and the Saints would capitalize again on the power play. Tanner Klassen knocked in a loose puck at 10:15 to give the Saints their first lead of the game.
The Third period saw the physical play ramp up even more. With four meetings in the first month of the season and three pre-season games, these two teams clearly do not like one another.
Konrad Belcourt and Brayden Nicholettes went toe-to-toe in a spirited tilt and a line brawl nearly broke out after a huge open ice hit by Kabore Dunn on Peckford.
Nick Leyer doubled the Saints lead at the 8:35 mark, his fifth goal against the MOB this season as he has scored in all four meetings.
Loeden Schaufler put the game away when his point shot slipped under the arm of Fradette. The MOB did receive a few late power plays in the third period but were unable to capitalize to get back in the game.
Next up for the Barons, two more dates against the first place Sherwood Park Crusaders on Friday and Saturday night at the Casman Centre. Puck drop for both games is at 7:30 p.m.
Written by: Taylor Pope, mymcmurray.com
Photo by: Dan Lines