The Calgary Crusaders and Riggers Hockey Academy delivered an offensive showcase in a back-and-forth battle that saw the Crusaders emerge with a narrow 6-5 victory. The first period set the tone with a flurry of goals, as Matthew McMillan opened the scoring for Calgary early at 13:23, assisted by Jacob Jones and Nash Parker. Riggers quickly answered on the power play, with Max Golinsky capitalizing just after a penalty to tie the game. Logan Sullivan then put Calgary back in front, but Riggers’ Ty Bell responded with two goals of his own, including a late unassisted tally, and Vance Getzinger added another in the final seconds to give the visitors a surprising 4-2 lead after a wild opening frame.
The second period saw the Crusaders mount a fierce comeback. Logan Sullivan netted his second of the game early on, cutting the deficit to one. The middle frame was marked by physical play and penalties, with both teams taking multiple minors. Calgary’s Oliver Burak broke through at 10:27 with the eventual game-winning goal, assisted by Beau Bennefield, tying the game before Calgary surged ahead. Despite being outshot 16-14 in the period, the Crusaders managed to swing the momentum entirely, taking a 5-4 lead into the final intermission.
The third period tightened up, with Riggers pushing hard for the equalizer. Lawson Berry brought them level with a goal midway through, setting up a tense finish. However, Calgary’s defense and goaltender Torey Aldous held firm under pressure, facing a late barrage of shots and killing off a crucial penalty in the final minute. A scuffle in the dying seconds resulted in matching minors, but the Crusaders managed the clock to secure the hard-fought 6-5 win. In a game where goalie-specific stats were not tracked, the sheer volume of goals and shots made for an entertaining, back-and-forth contest that showcased the offensive firepower on both sides.
