Playoff momentum rests firmly in Big Rock Country.
Playoff momentum rests firmly in Big Rock Country.
Matt McNair scored twice as the Okotoks Oilers cruised to a 6-2 win over the Calgary Canucks in Game 1 of the best-of-five opening round Alberta Junior Hockey League playoff series Thursday night at Pason Centennial Arena.
“We just tried to get net traffic, shoot and get some goals,” McNair said. “It definitely sets the tone. Getting a lot of goals in the first game gives us confidence.”
Okotoks established its down low fore-check early and before the opening period reached its midway point the hosts were deservedly in front.
McNair made good on a feed from linemate Trey Degraaf after Colin O'Neill picked off an attempted clear. The green-and-gold would double the lead when Tanner Laderoute drove the net and Danton Davis buried the rebound. Calgary got back in it in an instant when Reid Morison fired one past Okotoks' Riley Morris late in the frame. The Oilers took momentum right back in a dramatic middle stanza.
Defenceman Reece Soukoroff tipped in a terrific feed from Nolan Thompson at even strength followed in short order by a powerplay snipe from McNair.
Calgary narrowed the deficit back to two when Andrew Marshall converted on the man advantage. Jordie Lawson closed out the high scoring period when he banged in the puck off a fortuitous bounce over an outstretched Logan Drackett in goal.
Tanner Schachle added a sixth tally on a short-side wrist shot with just over one minute remaining in the contest to close out the scoreline.
The Canucks were held to just 12 shots on goal compared to the Oilers' 30.
“Our defensive game was really strong today,” McNair said. “We were the aggressors, we were on the attack more, but when we ended up on defence we had guys come up with some pretty big blocks.”
Game 2 is back at Pason Centennial Arena on Friday night at 7 p.m.
For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca
