Recap by Keith Yasinko
Saints first game back after the lengthy Christmas break with a roster that includes 4 affiliate players (2 forwards and 2 Defenseman) due to absences, injuries, and suspensions. Previous meeting between these teams in the tiering round saw a 5-2 Saints victory.
Back and forth first period ends with the teams tied at 1. The Saints outshot KC 11 to 8 and not a single penalty to either team in that period.
The goals came in bunches in the second period, unfortunately by a 4 to 1 margin for KC leaving the Saints with a 5 to 2 deficit after 2 periods. Shots in the second were 15 to 13 in favor of KC.
Saints start the 3rd on a power play and score a quick one to get it to 5-3. Another power play goal less than a minute later makes it 5-4 and a shorthanded goal less than 2 minutes after that has it all tied up at 5 only 4 minutes into the third period.
Unfortunately, the tie is short lived as KC strikes back with both a shorthanded goal and a power play goal to go up 7 to 5 with just under 9 minutes remaining.
Ben Kraiger stops a penalty shot to keep the deficit to only 2.
A Saints power play goal with just under 5 minutes left cuts the lead to 1.
A late KC bench minor gives the Saints a late power play. 6 on 4 with the goalie pulled for the last minute however despite some great looks, the Saints cant find the equalizer and fall 7 to 6.
Saints outshoot KC 17 to 13 in the third and 41 to 36 overall.
PHOTO GALLERY
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Game photos by Mark Scheuer