Posted: Feb 17, 2024
February 17, 2024
A 4-2 victory might not sound like a goaltender's duel, but that's exactly what it was as the Briercrest Clippers exacted a measure of revenge for last night's overtime loss to the SAIT Trojans.
With almost 100 combined shots, fans were treated to non-stop action as the teams traded chances all afternoon. Daxton Budd was the first to score for the Clippers as he converted on the powerplay to give his team the early lead. Austin Arsenault struck moments later with the only goal of the game that didn't come from a rebound or deflection.
Briercrest fired 22 shots in the first period alone and it was only the heroics of SAIT's player of the game, Spencer Welke, that kept things relatively close.
The second period featured a penalty parade that had the Clippers down two men multiple times against SAIT's league-leading powerplay. Not only did they kill off all of the penalties, but Jeridyn Loewen set up Cole Stevenson for a third goal to take the game by the throat.
Josh Wiens banged in a rebound to start off the third period, and Alex Worthington limited the damage of a late SAIT rally as the Clippers allowed two late goals but hung on for the win. Caleb Grandfield got the nod for player of the game for Briercrest in his final regular season home game.
"We know we didn't play our best yesterday, so it was big as a team to get that win," commented Budd after the game. "We have two of the best goalies in the league- whoever's in net, we're always comfortable with him there."
With the win, the Clippers tighten their grip on first place in the standings and ensure a first-round bye in the playoffs. They'll head to Red Deer next weekend to close out the regular season as they look to clinch top spot in the ACAC.