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Oilers facing real adversity now

There is a reason hockey goalies and baseball catchers make the best analysts. From their position at the back, those athletes tend to see everything develop.

There is a reason hockey goalies and baseball catchers make the best analysts.

From their position at the back, those athletes tend to see everything develop.

Okotoks Oilers netminder Riley Morris was particularly prescient when prompted for his thoughts on the eve of the post-season. At the time the Oilers were moving onto the second season with 24 straight wins in their back pocket and eyeing a first-round bye.

Morris noted “…no one is going to expect to us to win every game all the way through. We’re going to battle some adversity and I think we’re prepared for that.”

The team went through the second half of the season without too many obstacles. Yes, there were injuries and near losses – but the team’s depth was always able to account for it.

Well, adversity is certainly here now. As of press time, the Oilers trail Brooks 2-1 in the best-of-seven South Final. No one expected Okotoks to run over Brooks without any hurdles. I fully expect the series to go six or seven games. And to think they would run the table on the post-season is again asking a lot of a team.

To see Okotoks’ streak end in Game 2’s 3-2 loss wasn’t a shock so much as the manner in which the team lost. The Bandits absolutely stole one late against an Oilers squad known for its team defence just a minute away from taking a 2-0 series lead.

Bouncing back from such a result is a true test of their resolve.

In Game 3, the Oilers didn’t look like they carried the result with them. They lost a narrow 2-1 contest, but were the better team for most of 60 minutes.

Time will tell if this adversity is a gift or a curse for the Oil.


Remy Greer

About the Author: Remy Greer

Remy Greer is the assistant editor and sports reporter for westernwheel.ca and the Western Wheel newspaper. For story tips contact [email protected]
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