The Saddle Lake Warriors and the Vermilion Tigers played at the Manitou Kihew arena on Jan. 12, in a game that ultimately saw the home team coming out on top, with a few close calls throughout the game.
Saddle Lake secured the lead in the first period, with Tyler Haineault scoring the first goal in the last six minutes of the game, and then Kevin Krengtektak scoring nine seconds later on an assist from Dallas Desjarlais, and Jojo White.
Vermillion netted one goal before the period wound down, in the last five minutes of the first, bringing the score to 2-1 for Saddle Lake, only to see Barry Partridge score another goal for Saddle Lake in the last three minutes of the period, on an assist from Braedin Makokis-McGilvery, and Dylan Alexis, making it 3-1 for Saddle Lake.
The trend kept up throughout the rest of the game, as The Warriors maintained a steady lead straight through, with Vermillion struggling to keep up, playing a strong offensive game.
Vermillion scored early and late in the second, and Saddle Lake matched each one shortly afterwards, maintaining their lead end-to-end. The second period also saw Saddle Lake playing a more defensive game, and ended with a score of 5-3, Saddle Lake.
The third period didn’t see any scoring until near the end, when Vermillion got a point in the last three minutes of the game, still trying to narrow down Saddle Lake’s lead. Their efforts proved futile, however, as Partridge netted another goal in the last 50 seconds, winning the game 6-4.
“It was pretty good. We were off to a good start, and played hard. We finished our hits and kept on top of things,” said Haineault, after the game.
He added, “It was all about staying on top of them, and not letting them get ahead. Every time they scored, we got a goal of our own.”
“It was a little up and a little down, but we got ‘er done,” said White. “We battled back and forth with them, but didn’t let them get into the game. Right now that’s what we’re trying to do, trying to keep going, getting more wins. We can’t afford to fall down in the standings.”
“It was a good game,” said Coach Dallas Jackson. “We kept things rolling, we rolled our D, and everyone stepped up today. I thought our goalie played a solid game, making those big saves when we needed him to. He gave us an opportunity to get the win.”
