OKOTOKS, AB (November 26, 2022) — Ty Yoder (Tofield, AB) scored his 10th goal of the season early in the third period but the Okotoks Oilers dropped a 3–1 decision to the Sherwood Park Crusaders at Okotoks Centennial Arena on Saturday evening.

The Oilers fell behind just 7:07 into the first period on Sunday and never recovered, only managing to beat red-hot Crusaders starter Erick Roest once on 33 shots. Roest, just 24 hours removed from a 49-save performance in a win over the Canmore Eagles, was named the first star for his heroics in Okotoks.

Crusaders forward Luke Lisko scored twice in the opening frame to put the Oilers in an early hole. Okotoks managed just four shots in goal in the first 20 minutes but ended up taking 16 in the second period and 14 in the third; Sherwood Park took exactly six shots in each period and ended up putting three goals past Oilers starter Alex Scheiwiller (Calgary, AB).

Despite being outshot 16–6 in the middle frame, the Crusaders scored the only goal. Shortly after a flurry of opportunities for the home side, Crusaders forward Brandon Sacchetti deflected a harmless-looking wrister past Scheiwiller to make it a 3–0 hockey game.

Yoder finally got the Oilers on the board with just 2:46 gone in the third period, redirecting a drive by Jamie Weller (Calgary, AB) past Roest to cut the visitors’ lead to two. But the Oilers failed to convert on either of their power plays in the third period and ended up going 0-for-7 in the hockey game (although, in fairness, Sherwood Park went 0-for-6).

The Oilers have now lost four consecutive games. Before Yoder scored on Saturday, they had given up seven goals in a row without tallying once. Things won’t get any easier for the Oilers from here, however, as they’ll be in Spruce Grove next Friday to take on the North Division-leading Saints at Grant Fuhr Arena.

Recap: Mike Gould

Photo: Chad Goddard