Oilers defeat St. Albert Saints

The Okotoks Oilers have started the season with a record of 2-0 after defeating the St. Albert Steel 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in front of a crowd of about 700.

Coach Dan McDonald made a few changes from last nights line-up. In goal today was Sean Cahill who played very well, even stopping a penalty shot in the second. With 20 saves, he may just have won himself a spot on this team. Nick Bell and Jeff Barrett sat out, while Tyler Jewitt and Conrad Smith dressed this afternoon did not look out of place.

The Oilers star of the game, Chris Duszynski got the first goal but Daniel Carr of the Saints tipped in his first for the Saints first and only goal of the day. 1-1 after the first with the Oilers having an advantage of shots (12-7) and the play.

The special teams broke through in the second with Corbin Knight on the PP and Cody Dion, set up beautifully by Brandon Hoogenboom, shorthanded. Oilers goalie Sean Cahill stood his ground and stopped a penalty shot, further boosting the Oilers play for the rest of the period. Score 3-1 after 2.

No scoring in the third, and the Saints outshooting us 7-4, but the game plan this period was to dump it in and let St. Albert chase the puck down for most of the period. This was their 3rd game in 3 days, so wearing them down was the goal. The Oilers did take a few needless penalties, and at one point, was down 2 for the full 2 minutes, then 2 minutes right after that, but the penalty killers were great, most noticably Quinn Sproule, Rodger Craig, Cody Dion and the defensive corps.

So we are off to a 2-0 start. A little surprising, yes, but the season is still young. The team does look good as a team, the work ethic is there, the skill level will only improve and the heart, drive and determination has to be there every game. Are this years Oilers up for the challenge? You bet. It's going to be a great year fans. Enjoy every shift.


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