DRUMHELLER, AB (January 15, 2022) ““ Three consecutive power play goals by the host Drumheller Dragons made the difference in the second period, as the Okotoks Oilers (20-20-2) saw another comeback fall just short, losing 4-3 to the Dragons on Saturday night and snapping their three-game winning streak.
An early scoreless deadlock was broken by the Dragons with 38 seconds left in the first when a defensive zone turnover by Okotoks led to a backdoor tap-in goal by Vann Yuhas to make it 1-0 through 20 minutes.
In the second, the Oilers got into penalty trouble and saw the Dragons go 3 for 3 on the ensuing power play opportunities, getting goals from Myles Hilman, Grayson Dietrich, and Ty Daneault to take a commanding 4-0 lead.
But Okotoks stormed back soon after. Brendan Boyle (Lake Country, BC) one-timed home a loose puck in the slot at the 14:14 mark, and Conyr Hellyer followed up by knocking home a puck on a net front scramble at 15:41 to cut the deficit to two. Finally, with 4 seconds left in the period, Sam Huck (Calgary, AB) scored on a sharp angle wrister to make it a one-goal game.
The Oilers pressed hard in the third, including a Bowden Singleton (Calgary, AB) wrist shot that hit the post in the dying minutes, but Drumheller held on for the narrow win. Okotoks outshot Drumheller 30-29 in the game.
Okotoks returns home for a Tuesday night matchup with the Olds Grizzlys at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available online at tickets.okotoksoilers.ca.