In what could be considered the best 44 minutes the team has played at home in quite some time, the Saints gave up two goals in 14 seconds to give up the lead and lose the game in the last minute of play.
Despite a solid game by the Stephenville Spartan goaltender, the Saints had a three to one lead going into the third thanks to a hat trick from Saints forward Ethan James.
Penalty troubles became an issue for both teams in the third but a four minute five-on-three was the most blatant of the calls the Saints fell victim to.
Local Sports Columnist
Regardless, the Saints held strong and fended off the Spartan attack on the power play.
A shot from the blue line on a nothing play found the back of the net, making it three to two.
Then the last minute of play became a complete nightmare for the Saints who were hemmed into their own zone as the Spartans pulled the goalie and with twenty seconds left the tied the game in a goal mouth scramble.
The Spartans weren’t done there as they picked up where they left off and put pressure on the Saints again scoring the winner with under five seconds left in the game.
All in all, the Saints played a good game of hockey most of the way. Taylor Osmond had a good game on defense for the hometown Saints, but it wasn’t to be, even though the effort was there.
The Saints have something to build on as the team gets ready for the playoffs.