Twenty seven seconds. That was the difference Wednesday night between the Grande Prairie Storm at least forcing overtime and in tasting their first defeat of this young AJHL season.
Two goals, 27 seconds apart, by the hometown Crusaders broke open a 3-3 tie and propelled Sherwood Park to a 5-3 win over the Storm. The deciding goals coming with just under eight minutes left in the third period and about six minutes after Sam Lawson had evened the score for Grande Prairie.
Jordan McTaggart had opened the scoring for the Storm in the second period. After the Crusaders tied things up, Simon Desrosiers once again gave the visitors a short-lived lead, before the Cru again rebounded to send the game into the second intermission tied at 2-2.
Joakim Jutras took the loss in his first regular season appearance for Grande Prairie. On the night, Jutras stopped 26 shots, with the Crusaders holding a 31-27 edge on the shot clock.
With the loss, the Storm fall to 2-1 on the year. They continue their road trip Friday in Whitecourt and Saturday in Spruce Grove.
– Story by Don Whiteford of www.PeaceCountrySports.com
