Saints capture title with Game 5 victory
Harris scores winner as Spruce Grove defeats Okotoks 3-2 to claim AJHL title
Spruce Grove Saints captain Josh Harris defined leadership in Game 5 of the Alberta Junior Hockey League Final in Okotoks on Friday.
Harris scored the winning goal at 6:48 of the third period to give Spruce Grove a 3-2 win against the Okotoks Oilers at the Pason Centennial Arena and claim the AJHL title for the Saints.
TJ Lloyd and Chase Olsen also scored for Spruce Grove and Nolan Kent made 17 saves in the win. The Saints won the best-of-seven series 4-1.
Jacob Bernard-Docker and Carson Beers scored for the Oilers and goaltender Riley Morris made 16 saves.
The Saints went into the contest having failed to clinch the series on home ice Tuesday, losing 4-1 to the Oilers at the Grant Fuhr Arena.
The Saints took a 3-0 lead in the series, having won the first two games in Okotoks and then Game 3 at home on Monday. The Game 4 loss was the only loss sustained by the Saints in the playoffs.
Okotoks came out strong in Game 5 and took the play to Spruce Grove through the first 10 minutes. Forward Quinn Olson came close to giving Okotoks the lead, hitting the inside of the post with a wrist shot form the slot.
Saints coach Bram Stephen called a timeout to calm his troops down, which seemed to benefit as the Saints were able to work their way back into the contest.
Spruce Grove had a two-man advantage for 50 seconds toward the end of the period, but were unable to capitalize.
Bernard-Docker opened the scoring for the Oilers at 6:26 of the second period on the power play. Bernard-Docker took the puck around the faceoff circle and snapped a low shot past Kent.
Okotoks had chances to extend their lead, but Kent came up with a handful of excellent saves.
The Saints rewarded their goaltender by tying the game on the power play at 13:19 of the period. Defenceman Lloyd stepped into a shot from the blue line.
Beers put the Oilers ahead 2-1 at 2:35 of the third period on the power play.
Olsen tied the game 2-2 at 4:25 on a rocket off the left wing.
Harris scored at 6:48 to put the Saints up 3-2 on a scramble in front.
Spruce Grove hung on through the rest of the period to win their fifth title since 2010.
The Saints move on to face the British Columbia Hockey League champion Wenatchee Wild in the Doyle Cup. The best-of-seven series winner will represent the Pacific at the RBC Cup May 12-20 in Chilliwack, B.C.