The Spruce Grove Saints jumped out to a quick start at the Doyle Cup, topping the Vernon Vipers by a 6-5 score in overtime of an offensively charged Game 1 meeting.
The teams traded pairs of goals in the first period, as tallies from Vernon's Cole Ikkala and Braden Pimm were evened out by the Saints' Adam Henderson and Josh Koper. Cory Kane put the visitors ahead early in the second on a power-play, but Spruce Grove took the lead on a pair from Nate Fleming midway through the frame.
|Connor and Kellen Jones saved their best for the third period, as Kellen drew Vernon back on even ground a minute in before Connor forced overtime with a man-advantage goal after Tim Nolte had once again put the Saints in front.
The Fred Page Cup champions ran into penalty trouble in the overtime frame however, as they successfully killed a Bryce Kakoske tripping minor before Scott Allen ended the game with Connor Jones in the box on a kneeing call.
While both teams were efficient with their man-advantage opportunities, the Vipers will rue the three power-play goals given up to their hosts on just four chances. Vernon narrowly outshot the AJHL champs by a 33-31 margin on the night.
The teams will return to the ice at the Grant Fuhr Arena on Saturday night with Spruce Grove looking to send the series back to Vernon while holding a 2-0 lead. The Vipers will need a victory to force a third game in Alberta on Sunday night.
For more information on the series, visit the Doyle Cup website HERE.
