SPRUCE GROVE, AB (December 2, 2022) — A four goal first period proved pivotal for the host Spruce Grove Saints on Friday night, as they took down the visiting Okotoks Oilers by a 4-1 final score.
The Oilers were narrowly outshot 32-31 in the game, but an 0-for-7 power play night hampered the team’s offensive hopes.
Liam Watkins scored on a rebound at the 11:05 mark to give the Saints a 1-0 advantage, and the Okotokian doubled the lead on a similar play at 14:56.
Luigi Benincasa made it 3-0 with a loose puck one-timer at 18:33, before the Saints converted on a shorthanded 2-on-1 with a Grant Fuchsen backhand goal with less than a minute left.
The Oilers swapped goalies to start the second, with Alex Scheiwiller (Calgary, AB) stopping all 19 shots he faced the rest of the way to keep the Oilers within striking distance.
But the only goal came from Brett Huxley (Calgary, AB) at 17:01 of the third, wristing home a rebound goal from the right circle to make it 4-1. Moments later, the Oilers scored on a net front scramble but the goal was waved off as the referee blew the whistle while the puck was still loose.
The Oilers continue their weekend road trip Saturday night in Camrose, taking on the Kodiaks at 7. Pre-game coverage starts at 6:45 PM on The Eagle 100.9.
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