The Saints Pro Hockey Academy and Riggers Hockey Academy delivered a special teams showcase in a back-and-forth battle that saw the home team emerge with a narrow 4-3 victory. The game was defined by power play opportunities and penalty box traffic, with both teams capitalizing on man-advantage situations throughout the contest. Christian Symonds emerged as the offensive hero for the Saints, scoring twice on the power play, while the Riggers fought back with a shorthanded tally and late-game pressure that nearly forced overtime.
The second period proved decisive as both teams traded power play goals in a wild middle frame. Symonds opened the scoring for Saints with a power play marker at 17:52, assisted by Jack Wheeler and Gabriel Dickinson. Riggers responded with a shorthanded goal from Hadyn Dennis at 9:05, followed by Cruz Wiederspiel's power play goal at 6:09 that gave the visitors their first lead. But Symonds struck again on the power play at 1:35, completing his brace and sending the teams into the third period tied at 2-2.
The final period saw the Saints take control early when Wheeler scored at even strength at 10:52, with Liam Shoquist and Dickinson picking up assists. Riggers fought back when Shea Coghill found the net at 6:19, setting up a tense finish. With both teams taking roughing penalties in the closing minutes and the Riggers pulling their goalie, Mason Smith sealed the victory for Saints with an empty net goal as time expired. The game ended in controversy with additional roughing and misconduct penalties assessed after the final horn, capping a physical contest where special teams ultimately made the difference.
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