BLACKFALDS, AB (January 6, 2022) — The Okotoks Oilers fell behind 3-0 in the first period in Blackfalds Friday night, as goaltender Matthew Hennessey stopped all 27 shots the visitors proffered en route to a 4-0 win for the host Blackfalds Bulldogs at Eagle Builders Centre.
Missing seven players from their lineup, the Oilers had only eight regular forwards in the lineup with three affiliates drawing in.
Blackfalds broke through on a Brendan Ross backdoor one-timer at 8:23 before tripling the lead in 62 seconds on a shorthanded goal on a delayed penalty by Evan Mitchell at 16:16 and a rebound goal from Jayden Joly at 18:18.
A scoreless second period in which Okotoks outshot Blackfalds 9-4 gave way to a tougher third in which Blackfalds outshot the Oilers 14-7 and scored an insurance marker from Joly on a one-timer from the top of the crease. Parker Sawka (Cochrane, AB) made 27 saves in the loss for the Oilers.
With the win, Blackfalds moves two points ahead of Okotoks for second place in the AJHL South division, but Okotoks holds two games in hand.
The two teams will meet Saturday night in a rematch at Centennial Arena in Okotoks; tickets are available online at tickets.okotoksoilers.ca.