NAIT Defeats SAIT 7-1

The Nait Ooks host the Sait Trojans for the second of their home and home-split.

The Trojans came out flying early in the first period. They were winning the races and battles for the puck. Out chancing the Ooks early, goaltender Taryn Kotchorek made some great saves to keep it scoreless. At the midway point of the first, Ooks forward Garin Butler redirected home a slap pass from Cale Lyons to give the Ooks a 1-0 lead. The goal gave the Ooks some energy, as they controlled play for the majority of the second half of the first. Bryce Ospechuck beat Trojans goaltender Boston Bilous twice on the glove side but caught iron. The game remained 1-0 after one.

In the second period, the Ooks extended their lead to two early in the middle frame on a gorgeous individual effort from Bjorn Robinson, capped off by Cole Schmidt. Moments later, Trojans, Zach Cox cut the Ooks lead in half on a shorthanded tally. The Ooks continued to press, creating chances off the rush, forcing turnovers with their speed and relentless forecheck. Bryce Ospechuck was finally able to beat Bilous, regaining their two-goal lead. The Ooks, still pressing for more, added two more goals late in the period. Cole Schmidt netted his second of the evening, and Eric Lacombe finished off a beautiful feed from Josh Lazowski to give the Ooks a 5-1 lead heading into the break.

In the third period, Trojans goaltender Boston Bilous was replaced by Spencer Welke. The Ooks continued to build off their near-perfect second period. Cale Lyons scored the sixth of the night for the Ooks on a seeing-eye point shot through traffic. Having a sensational night, Bjorn Robinson was rewarded, finishing off a beautiful passing play. Trojans pressed late to cut into their deficit, but Kotchorek stood tall, making some great saves at the end of the third. The Ooks steal this one from league-leading Sait Trojans 7-1, improving to 8-8. The Ooks sit fourth in league standings and only two points back of third place.