OKOTOKS, AB (April 10, 2024) — Led by a two-point outing by Dean Spak (Calgary, AB) and a 29-save performance by Christian Green (Boothwyn, PA), the Okotoks Oilers defeated the Spruce Grove Saints by a 6-2 score on Wednesday night.
With the win, the Oilers took a 1-0 lead over the Saints in their best-of-five BCHL wild card series. They’ll have a chance to take a 2-0 lead with a win on the road in Game 2 on Thursday night.
The Oilers scored the opening goal just 84 seconds into the first period of Wednesday’s game at Okotoks Centennial Arena and did not relinquish their lead thereafter. They led 1-0 after one, 4-1 after two, and 6-2 at the final buzzer.
Connor Gourley (Calgary, AB) fired the opening salvo with a slick shot past former Oilers goaltender Alex Scheiwiller in the early goings of the opening frame. The Oilers (Spak) and Saints (Alexander Babich) then traded goals to start the second period before Jack Silverberg (Sherwood Park, AB) and Ryder De Nys (Canmore, AB) struck twice in quick succession to extend the Oilers’ lead to three.
Spruce Grove cut the Oilers’ lead to 4-2 just 91 seconds into the third period off a bang-bang play in the offensive zone. But despite outshooting the Oilers 12 to 9 in the third period, the Saints were unable to get any closer and ultimately conceded two more goals in the final few minutes of regulation time.
Jagger Tapper (Calgary, AB) made it 5-2 Oilers off the rebound of a shot by Sam Huck (Calgary, AB) with 5:09 remaining in the third. Less than three minutes later, Huck added an empty-net goal from long distance to seal the deal.
Spak, Green, and Kade Turner (Calgary, AB) were named the three stars of Wednesday’s Game 1 win over the Saints. Huck, Tapper, Jackson Rowland (Calgary, AB), and Owen MacNeil (Calgary, AB) also put together multi-point outings.
The Oilers will return to action Thursday night for Game 2 against the Saints at 7:00 p.m. MT. You’ll be able to listen to that game on The Eagle 100.9 starting at 6:45.
Oilers vs. Saints schedule
Game 1: Oilers (6) vs. Saints (2) – Wednesday, April 10
Game 2: Oilers @ Saints – Thursday, April 11
Game 3: Oilers vs. Saints – Saturday, April 13
Game 4: Oilers @ Saints – Monday, April 15*
Game 5: Oilers vs. Saints – Tuesday, April 16*
*If necessary
All games at 7:00 p.m. MT. Road games broadcast on The Eagle 100.9 starting at 6:45 p.m. MT.
Recap: Mike Gould
Photo: Chad Goddard
