FORT MCMURRAY, AB (October 31, 2014) – Riley Simpson scored late in the third, and Travis McEvoy added a decisive empty-netter, giving the Spruce Grove Saints a 5-2 win over the Oil Barons (9-9-3).
The MOB got on the board first, as Jetlan Houcher (Paradise Valley, AB) took a pass up the left-wing side, beating Matthew Murray and giving the Barons the 1-0 lead on the powerplay.
But two-and-a-half minutes later, the Saints would score the first of three straight goals in the opening frame.
Brandon Biro got the Saints rolling, stuffing a rebound past Zach Fortin (St. Jerome, PQ), tying things up at 1.
5 minutes after that, Jarid Hauptman followed up a long Isaac Farrah point shot, burying the rebound in tight and making it a 2-1 game.
Exactly three minutes after Hauptman's goal, another Farrah point shot was tipped home by Nicolas Correale, giving the Saints the 3-1 lead.
But the Barons got one back before the period was out, as Brett McNeil (Halifax, NS) stepped into a blast from the top of the circle with 59 seconds left, cutting the lead to 3-2.
After a five-goal first period, the teams played to a scoreless second, with the Barons allowing only seven shots against, compared to the 21 allowed in the first.
In the third, the teams traded powerplays, but couldn't convert for almost the first 18 minutes of the period.
But with 2:01 to play, Simpson converted on a cross-ice feed from Paul Lovsin, giving the Saints back the two-goal lead.
And 34 seconds after that, McEvoy iced it into the empty net, giving the Saints the 5-2 win.
Barons Head Coach Curtis Hunt said he thought a slow start impeded his team, that really had a mostly positive effort.
“Once we got our head around how we needed to play, and even spurts in the first – we were fine,” he said.
“And that's the thing, against every team this year. We're fine when we play together, and we're ready to battle and compete.”
Fortin made 28 saves in a losing effort, while Murray needed 25 to pick up the win.
With the win, the Saints extend their lead atop the North Division to 7 points over Lloydminster, though the Bobcats have two games in hand.
With the loss, the Barons remain tied with the Bonnyville Pontiacs for fourth place.
Up next, a rematch at the Casman Centre tomorrow night, November 1.
Puck drop is at 8:00, with the pre-game show at 7:45 on KAOS 91.1
KAOS 91.1 3 stars:
1. Jarid Hauptman (1G/1A)
2. Isaac Farrah (3A)
3. Jetlan Houcher (1G/1A)