Bowden Singleton (Calgary, AB) broke out with two late goals and an assist, but the Okotoks Oilers (15-17-1) dropped a 4-3 decision at home to the visiting Blackfalds Bulldogs on Saturday night.

The loss narrows the Oilers’ lead over Canmore for fourth in the AJHL South to three points, with Blackfalds sitting only four points back with two games in hand.

Despite a 9-5 shot advantage, in the first, the Oilers were deadlocked 1-1 through twenty minutes after a Nick Magis power play goal got the Bulldogs in front at 5:58, before Rieger Lorenz (Calgary, AB) scored on a wrist shot from the left circle to tie it at 10:56.

In the second, the Oilers again outshot the Bulldogs 8-5, but allowed the only two goals of the period; the first a Brett Meerman shorthanded wraparound goal, and the second a point shot from Adam Heindel, giving the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.

In the third, the Bulldogs made it 4-1 on a Brendan Ross goal from the slot 8:19 in, before the Oilers pulled the goalie with 6 minutes left and converted on a Bowden Singleton rebound goal.

After a late Oilers penalty, Singleton converted again on a breakaway shorthanded at 18:28, but it was as close as the Oilers would get, dropping the game in regulation despite outshooting the Bulldogs 30-16.

Okotoks will finish up its pre-Christmas schedule next week, starting with a rare Thursday night home game against the Grande Prairie Storm at 7 PM. Tickets are available online at tickets.okotoksoilers.ca.