An extended layoff brought about a comprehensive re-introduction to the green-and-gold.
An extended layoff brought about a comprehensive re-introduction to the green-and-gold.
Five-foot-nine, 158 pound jolt of energy Nolan Thompson marked his return to the lineup for the first time in over two months with the opening goal as the Okotoks Oilers put the boots to the Camrose Kodiaks in a dominant 4-2 divisional win Saturday night on home ice.
“He's got that raw emotion and that excitement to play hockey,” said Oilers head coach Tyler Deis. “We needed that, Nolan is a big part of our team and his emotion is huge for our team.
“It's pretty cool he got that first goal and energized us. It's great having him back.”
Thompson, sidelined with an upper body injury since Dec. 14, found instant chemistry with Carter Huber and Tanner Laderoute and found his name on the score-sheet in his first period of action on a rebound tally.
“This was huge. I was so excited,” Thompson said. “It was kind of like my first game, there was a lot of adrenaline and it was huge to score.
“That was a big plus. Just nice to be out there with the boys again.”
Carson Beers notched his 10th of the campaign, Jordie Lawson potted his eleventh on a backhand feed from Kyle Gordon and Carter Huber potted a powerplay marker, his ninth, to round out the scoring.
Behind a dominant cycle Okotoks out-shot the visitors by a 51-26 count.
The season series between the traditional rivals ends with Okotoks owning the 4-2 edge.
“We came together and really played our systems well,” Thompson said. “Everyone was playing well. All four lines were going and there wasn't really any passengers tonight.”
The crucial divisional win helped to erase some bad memories from the previous tilt.
Okotoks took it on the chin in a 6-1 loss to the visiting Brooks Bandits as the number-one team in the country rode a four-goal middle frame to the blowout victory.
Former Bandit Tyler Levine notched the only goal for the hosts on the evening in the sixth and final meeting of the season between the South Division foes.
“We know playing against Brooks we've got to clean up a bunch of little areas and find a way to slow them down,” Deis added.
With five games remaining in the season the Oilers (33-17-5) sit one point back of the Calgary Canucks for second spot while the Canmore Eagles are just two points behind the Stampede City squad.
“It's really a dogfight for second,” Thompson said. “Every night matters and we've just got to win out here and focus on every night.”
The Oil put a stamp on the season-long seven game homestand on Feb. 24, the first of a home-and-home with the Drumheller Dragons on consecutive evenings.
Puck-drop is 7 p.m. at Pason Centennial Arena.
For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca
In elite company
Okotoks Oilers netminder Riley Morris was named one of five finalists for the AJHL's Top Goaltender award for the 2016-17 season.
Nominated for the honour for the second straight season, the Calgarian is in the top six in the provincial loop in the key categories of save percentage, wins and shutouts.
The other finalists are Calgary Canuck Logan Drackett, Camrose Kodiak Patrick Gora, Whitecourt Wolverine Pierce Diamond and Fort McMurray Oil Baron Eric Szudor.
The MVP finalists are Drackett, Brooks Bandits defenceman Cale Makar, Spruce Grove Saints blueliner Ian Mitchell and Wolverines forward Justin Young.
The award winners will be announced during the final week of the regular season.
The full list of nominees can be found at ajhl.ca
