The Crusaders split their opening weekend: The Sherwood Park Crusaders’ 2024-25 campaign began over the weekend. The organization made the switch to the BCHL midway through last season, but this year is the team’s first full season being incorporated into the league. The Crusaders had a tough opening weekend of games but came away with many positives and lessons learned to move forward with.
Game 1 @ Blackfalds Bulldogs:
The Crusaders faced off against the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Friday night on the road, whom they eliminated in the first round of the BCHL Alberta playoffs last season. Similar to that series, there was no shortage of goals, with the two teams combining for ten. Luckily, the majority were scored by Sherwood Park.
Three goals in the opening ten minutes from Chris Battani, Poul Andersen, and John Alexander Banks set the offensive tone. Blackfalds answered back in the first, but Christian Chouha responded less than two minutes later, giving Sherwood Park a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes. Jordan Gudridge dropped the gloves with Luke Dahlen, too, adding to an eventful opening period.
Scoring continued through the next 20 minutes, with both teams getting a pair each. Jeremy Loranger and Nico Beaudoin added to the Crusaders’ total, making it 6-3 after two periods. The third wasn’t quite as busy, with Andersen getting the lone goal for his second of the night.
Game 2 vs. Penticton Vees:
The Crusaders made their way back to Sherwood Park for their Saturday night home opener versus the Penticton Vees. A great crowd was on hand as the Crusaders made history, playing a B.C. opponent for the first time in franchise history.
Beaudoin got the crowd on their feet early, scoring on the team’s first shot of the game. However, the Vees fought back, scoring five unanswered goals by the end of the second period.
With nothing to lose, Sherwood Park battled hard in the third, getting two goals from Loranger and Andersen. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts and many posts, the Crusaders came up short, losing 6-3.
Notes:
Jordan Gudridge was suspended for Saturday night’s home opener versus the Vees for receiving an instigator penalty against the Bulldogs. He is eligible to return to the lineup on Friday night when the Salmon Arm Silverbacks travel to Sherwood Park.
Jeremy Loranger leads the team with five points after two games, tied for second-most in the BCHL.
Poul Andersen leads the Crusaders with three goals and was the highest-scoring rookie
in the league over the weekend.
Coming Up:
The Crusaders close out their September schedule at the Randy Rosen Rink with games against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and Trail Smoke Eaters. Salmon Arm is in town first for a 7:00 p.m. MT puck drop on Friday night, and then the Smoke Eaters are in town on Saturday with puck drop at the same time as Friday. Tickets for both games can be purchased by clicking here https://tickets.sherwoodparkcrusaders.ca/ .
