The Saddle Lake Warriors defeated the St. Paul Canadiens for a second time 13-4 in pre-season Junior B action at the Clancy Richard Arena on Tuesday in St. Paul.
The match started with a Warriors' slashing penalty six seconds after the puck dropped and a four minute penalty after a roughing call seven minutes later. With 23 seconds left on the penalty, the Justin Dubeau for the Canadiens scored the first of the night.
Twenty seconds later, the Warriors' Jared Cunningham evened it up. The Warriors gained the momentum, ending the period 5-1, with goals from Talon Cardinal, Jade Cunningham and two from Darian Cardinal.
While working off a penalty given to the Warriors goalie for having his mask up while playing the puck, Darian Cardinal scored again, and a minute later Jared Cunningham added another point.
Elk Point's Jared Vallee netted one for the Canadiens while Rylan Couch followed it up with a second for 7-3. The Warriors' Miles Baptiste earned one more for 8-3 going into the third.
The Warriors dominated the third with four goals courtesy of Jared Cunningham and one from Cody Linklater. Brandon Ouellette scored one for the Canadians.
Both teams cranked around 50 pucks at the net. Blocking the pucks between the pipes for the Warriors was Matt Johnson, returning for a second year to the team from Surrey, B.C. This season will be Johnson's fourth in Junior B, with a year in both Abbotsford and Squamish, B.C.
Canadiens head coach Tony Meger credited Johnson's quick legs and a good glove for the Warriors' strong performance.
“We lacked people in front of the net. He had pretty clear vision of everything that came at him. We've got to have more net presence, get that shot in there, get it through and fight for that puck."
For full story and more Junior B coverage, see the Journal on Tuesday.
