BROOKS, AB (February 25, 2023) — Missing the services of seven regular players, dressing three affiliates and playing a man short, the Okotoks Oilers came back from a 2-0 first period deficit to tie Brooks 2-2, but fell 4-2 as the home side pulled away in the second.
The Oilers were missing defencemen Kade Turner and Nick Wolfenberg, as well as forwards Jagger Tapper, Zeth Kindrachuk, Conyr Hellyer, Brett Huxley, and Conyr Hellyer, but got goals from Ty Yoder and Jackson Rowland in the loss.
Okotoks remains 5 points ahead of Drumheller for third place in the AJHL South but can no longer finish higher than third as Blackfalds beat the Dragons to clinch second.
A rebound goal by Hunter Wallace and power play one-timer from Aiden Fink gave Brooks the 2-0 advantage before Yoder notched his 15th of the season on a breakaway late in the period. Rowland tied the game early in the second off a setup by Ryan Neumann, streaking down the middle and flipping a backhand shot by goaltender Ethan Barwick to make it 2-2.
Brooks retook the lead on an Aiden Fink goal later in the period, and after the Oilers nearly converted on a late power play chance, the visitors were called for two quick penalties, allowing a 5-on-3 goal by Hudson Malinoski to cap off the scoring. Oiler goalie Parker Sawka made 42 saves in the game.
Okotoks will take on Drumheller in a home-and-home series to end the regular season on Friday and Saturday, beginning with Awards Night at Centennial Arena on Friday at 7 PM.