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Oilers on the brink in South final

Time is running out on the Okotoks Oilers post-season.
Okotoks Oiler Tanner Laderoute crashes the net on Brooks Bandit Mitch Benson during Game 4 of the AJHL South final, April 4 at Pason Centennial Arena.
Okotoks Oiler Tanner Laderoute crashes the net on Brooks Bandit Mitch Benson during Game 4 of the AJHL South final, April 4 at Pason Centennial Arena.

Time is running out on the Okotoks Oilers post-season.

The Brooks Bandits put the Oil on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 victory in Tuesday night’s Game 4 in Okotoks on the strength of two late empty netters and a 24-save shutout from Mitch Benson to grab a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven South final.

“We need to learn how to shutout a game or win in the third period,” said Oilers forward Tanner Laderoute. “If we keep it close we can’t just have to go to the empty net solution.

“It’s tough losing those really tight games.”

One night after the Bandits flexed their offensive might in a five-goal third period, both teams set the stage for a tighter checking affair in Game 4.

Brooks jumped out in front on a somewhat fortuitous bounce as Riley Morris’ attempted clearing went off a stick and Conner Jean was there to tap it into the empty cage 11:20 into the opening frame.

That was all the offence the visitors would need on the night.

Okotoks found some energy in the second period and poured it on at times in the final stanza with an emphasis on crashing the crease and getting in the grill of Benson.

With the extra-attacker on the ice, the Bandits iced the result through empty netters from Parker Foo and Nathan Plessis.

“I thought we played well, but that desperation came so late,” Laderoute said. “Everyone on their d-corps can skate, they can move the puck with quick transitions and have pretty good systems.

“I feel like when we fore-checked hard the puck started to turn over. We have to have that desperation from the drop of the puck.”

Morris stopped 40 of 41 shots in the loss.

The Bandits can close out the series in front of their supporters in Game 5 on Friday night at the Brooks Centennial Regional Arena. If necessary, Game 6 would be back at Pason Centennial Arena on Sunday at 7 p.m.

“Everyone says the hardest game to win is to kill off the other team,” Laderoute added. “We will bring our best game and see what happens.”

For more information go to okotoksoilers.ca


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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