Photo courtesy of Allan Gimblett and Dynamic Photography.
It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win and 2 points the Oilers really needed. The Okotoks Oilers defeated the Drayton Valley Thunder 4 to 2 on Saturday night at the Okotoks Centennial Arena in a hard fought game where the Thunder gave the Oilers a rough ride to the win.
Scoring for the Oilers were Brandon Hoogenboom, Justin Cochrane, Jonathan Turk and Chris Duszynski.
The Oilers don't get their first shot on goal until the 5 minute mark of the first period as both teams feel each other out to start the game. Okotoks do get the first goal of the game on their 5th. shot of the game at 8:33 by Brandon Hoogenboom. The Oilers play a little lose on defense and allow Drayton Valley a couple of breakaways and odd man rushes. Finally at 15:30, Drayton Valley ties the game on a goal by their leading scorer Benji Rubin. At 1:44, the Oilers get a goal disallowed when Tanner Olstad is caught in the Thunder crease. Score is tied at the end of the period. Okotoks outshoot the Thunder 12 to 10.
The Thunder come out in the second period attacking the offensive zone and at 0:46, take advantage of the confused Oiler defense corps at their blueline when Lindsay LeBlanc goes in alone on Micheal Matyas and scores his 5th of the year for a Drayton Valley lead 2 to 1. At 11:11 of the period, Justin Cochrane scores for the second time in 2 nights to bring the Oilers even again. Chris Duszynski then gets awarded a penalty shot, but fails to score and the score stays at 2 a piece. The Oilers go ahead at 17:46 when Jonathan Turk flicks a backhand over the glove hand of Braely Torris. Period ends with Okotoks up 3 to 2, but not really dominating the game as most would expect. Oilers outshoot the Thunder 10 to 8 in the period.
Drayton Valley comes out in the third period dominating the Oilers throughout the period. They pepper 19 shots on the Oilers goal, but cannot beat Matyas. The Thunder go on the powerplay on 3 occasions this period, but fail to score. Oiler Jeff Barrett makes a pest of himself as he strips the puck away from a Thunder defender and he gets the puck over to Chris Duszynski who scores at 18:03 to put the Oilers up 4 to 2. Okotoks hold off a pressing Drayton Valley and hold on for the 4 to 2 win.
Game notes; Kyle Reynolds returned to action tonight after being off for an extended time with an injury. Oiler scratches were James Bannister, Matt Strong and Cody Dion. Final shots on goal favored Drayton Valley 37 to 34. Oilers gamestar was Tanner Olstad. Okotoks go 0 for 1 on the powerplay and Drayton Valley were 0 for 4.
Next up: The Oilers next game is in Camrose on Thursday night against the Kodiaks. The All-Star break happens on the weekend.