The O2 Grizzlies rode a dominant performance from Ben Warren to a 5-3 victory over the Saints Pro Hockey Academy in a hard-fought Hockey Super League contest. The Grizzlies set the tone early, with Hunter McCain and Warren finding the back of the net in the first half of the opening period to build a quick 2-0 lead. The Saints showed resilience, as Ashton McAdam answered back just over a minute later, assisted by Chase Strilchuk, to cut the deficit to 2-1 after one. The middle frame was a tighter defensive battle, with the Saints' Jace Filewich knotting the score at 2-2 on a feed from Cole McGregor, setting the stage for a dramatic third period.
The final frame was a special teams showcase that ultimately decided the game. Warren restored the Grizzlies' lead early, finishing a play set up by Ryan Farrell and Nathaniel Noble. The game then turned on a crucial penalty. With Saints defenseman Bowen Herman in the box for tripping, Warren completed his hat trick with a power-play goal, which stood as the game-winner. The Grizzlies' special teams weren't done, as Ellis May added a shorthanded marker to extend the lead to 5-2, capitalizing on a penalty to Warren for slashing. The Saints managed a late consolation goal from Hunter Liu, assisted by Nathan Escobedo, with just six seconds remaining, but it was too little, too late.
Ben Warren was the undeniable star for the Grizzlies, recording a natural hat trick that included the decisive power-play tally. The Saints received balanced scoring but were undone by untimely penalties and a Grizzlies power play that delivered when it mattered most. Despite a late push, the Saints couldn't overcome the two-goal swing provided by O2's special teams in the third period, securing a valuable road win for the visiting Grizzlies.
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