The Spartan Hockey Academy 17M and Saints Pro Hockey Academy treated fans to a goal-filled spectacle, with the Spartans emerging victorious in an 8-5 shootout. The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening faceoff, with both teams trading blows in a frenetic first period. The Saints struck first when Hunter Liu, assisted by Theo Fleming, found the net early. The Spartans' Renim Kaiser answered just 49 seconds later, setting the tone for the night. Bowen Herman restored the Saints' lead, but Nolan Dreger, with a helper from Jacob Mack, tied the game at 2-2 before the first intermission, capping a wild opening frame.
The second period saw the Spartans begin to seize control, though not without a fight. Maxwell Kramer put the visitors ahead with an unassisted goal, only for Carter Cudmore to extend the lead, capitalizing on a setup from Luke Menzies. The Saints' Colten Rice, assisted by Cole McGregor, kept his team within striking distance, but Kramer struck again for his second of the game to give the Spartans a 5-3 lead heading into the final period. The middle frame was marred by penalties, with six minors called, disrupting the flow but showcasing the game's physical edge.
Any hopes of a Saints comeback were dashed early in the third as Spartan forward Axl Gustavson took over. He scored twice in quick succession, including the game-winning goal just 43 seconds into the period, to blow the game open at 7-3. Colten Rice notched his second of the night for the Saints to provide a brief response, but the Spartans' Jack Koochin, assisted by Carter Cudmore and Kannon Murray, sealed the deal late. A final, consolation goal from the Saints' Theo Fleming with 18 seconds left rounded out the scoring in a contest defined by offensive firepower, with the Spartans' balanced attack proving too much to handle.
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