Despite multiple leads throughout the game, the Blackfalds Bulldogs ended up dropping a 6-5 decision Saturday in Spruce Grove to the Saints.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring 1:18 into the first frame when Jace Benvie knocked home a rebound for his third of the season. Blackfalds went up 2-0 3:23 into the opening stanza after Connor Poffenroth tallied his first AJHL goal. The Bulldogs increased their lead to three with 58 seconds left in the period when Jayden Joly recorded his third of the campaign.
The Saints got on the board 6:55 into the second on the man advantage when Caden Cabana tallied on the power play, making it a 3-1 game. The Bulldogs restored their three-goal lead 9:38 into the frame following an Adam Heindel marker from the perimeter on the ice. It was Heindel’s first goal as a Bulldog since joining the team Monday in Okotoks. Spruce Grove would reply on the power play with 3:59 remaining in the middle period when Logan Acheson netted his fourth of the season, which made it 4-2 for Blackfalds after 40 minutes.
After Caiden Gault got the Saints within one just 10 seconds into the third, Spencer Bell replied 2:07 into the period, giving the Bulldogs a 5-3 edge. Nikola Jovanovic, Cody Pisarczyk and Jacob Rochford all scored in the last 10 minutes for the Saints en route to the comeback victory.
Lucas Massie made 26 saves in the loss, while Maxwell Beckford and Zac Onyskiw split time in the Spruce Grove net. With the loss, the Bulldogs slipped to 3-9 on the season.
Blackfalds will look to rebound Oct. 21 in Red Deer when they face the Whitecourt Wolverines for the first time this season.