The Aces Hockey Academy put on a clinic in both special teams and even-strength play, cruising to a decisive 5-1 victory over the Sauce Hockey Academy. The game was defined by a dominant second period from the Aces, who weathered an early storm of Sauce shots to take control. After a scoreless and penalty-filled first period, Augustine Paziuk broke the deadlock for the Aces at 4:57 of the second, finishing a play with assists from Bennett Bolding and Grayden Patrie. Just over a minute later, with Sauce's Eli Shimonov in the box for tripping, Grayden Patrie capitalized on the power play to double the lead, with Benjamin Thorne and Bolding picking up the helpers. That goal would stand as the game-winner, as the Aces never looked back.
Sauce Hockey Academy came out firing in the second period, outshooting the Aces 17-7, but they could not solve Aces goaltender Owen Pelletier. The story of the night was Pelletier's perfect performance in net, stopping all 36 shots he faced for a shutout, while his counterpart Bennett Tice faced a relentless 39-shot barrage. The Aces put the game out of reach in the third. Paziuk netted his second of the night just 35 seconds into the period, assisted again by Patrie. Jax Chiasson made it 4-0 midway through the frame, with Brody Chetek and Braxton Madu assisting. Sauce finally broke Pelletier's shutout bid on a power play, as Rory Schollar scored with assists from Doug Deschamps and Enzo Fournier. But the Aces had the final say, as Bennett Bolding scored a shorthanded goal in the final minute, assisted by Lars Lund, to seal the 5-1 final.
The penalty box was a busy place all night, with nine minors called. Sauce's discipline issues were particularly costly, as the Aces scored on one of their power plays and added a shorthanded marker. For the Aces, the line of Augustine Paziuk, Grayden Patrie, and Bennett Bolding was unstoppable, combining for three goals and five assists. Despite a valiant effort and a strong second-period push in shots, Sauce Hockey Academy could not match the Aces' finishing touch or overcome the stellar goaltending of Owen Pelletier, who earned a well-deserved shutout victory.
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