The 14U AAA South Sask HC and Lloydminster Athletics delivered a back-and-forth classic, with South Sask ultimately prevailing 4-3 in a game defined by a strong start, a resilient comeback, and a dramatic late power-play winner. South Sask came out flying in the first period, dominating the shot clock 14-6 and building a commanding 3-0 lead. Oaklen Rogers opened the scoring just as the period began, assisted by Gavin Mackow. Rowen Istace then doubled the advantage, with Ethan Lloyd getting the helper, before Mackow himself found the net, with Rogers returning the favor for an assist. The home team looked in complete control, but the tide would turn dramatically in the second.
The Lloydminster Athletics refused to go quietly, flipping the script in the middle frame by outshooting South Sask 14-5. The period was also marred by a parade to the penalty box, with six minors called, including a double-minor for kneeing against Lloydminster's Blake Lovberg. Amidst the chaos, Max Andrews finally got the Athletics on the board with an even-strength marker, assisted by Kyler Martin and Jakob Currier. The physical, penalty-filled second period set the stage for a tense final twenty minutes. The Athletics carried their momentum into the third, with Shiloh Josue and Mason Morin scoring to complete the stunning three-goal comeback and tie the game at 3-3, sending a wave of energy through the visiting bench.
With the game hanging in the balance, discipline proved decisive. In the final minutes of the third period, a trip by Riddick Ford put South Sask on a crucial power play. The home team capitalized on the opportunity, as Gavin Mackow netted his second of the game and the eventual game-winner with just over four minutes remaining in regulation. South Sask goalie Barrett Scrupps was instrumental in the win, weathering a 33-shot storm from the Athletics and making 29 saves to preserve the victory. Despite a valiant 26-save effort from Lloydminster's Riggins Tymchyshyn, his team's early deficit and late penalty proved too much to overcome, as South Sask HC secured a hard-fought 4-3 win.
14U AAA - HC Edmonton
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15U AAA - Bow Valley HC
15U AAA - Langley HA
