Schedule & Results, Bantam AE, U15, 2011-2012 (Petrolia Minor Hockey)

In the 1st game of this second round matchup of the OMHA playdowns the Petrolia Oilers travelled to Strathroy to take on a Rockets squad that placed second in the regular season in the Shamrock League and swept past the Dorchester Dragons in 3 straight games.

Likewise the Oilers made quick work of their 1st round opponent the Mooretown Storm with a combined 19 goals scored and only 5 allowed. 

The Oilers knew this would be a very difficult game as they had lost each of the 3 prior meetings with the Rockets.

The Oilers came to play on this night and took a physical tone to each and every shift.  Numerous times the Rockets were knocked off the puck or knocked off stride allowing backchecking players to help out and eliminate pressure in both the neutral and defensive zones.  The Oilers were also very good at the forecheck on this night slowing the breakout of the speedy Rocket team.

The first period was very even with both teams getting a few chances but not an abundance as both teams played very well in their own zones.

The second period saw Strathroy start to pinch a defenceman to the high slot trying to create scoring chances.  Petrolia countered with the weak side winger picking this man up.  Petrolia opened the scoring with a excellent offensive zone shift as Mitchel Crombeen took the Rocket player off the puck and Dawson Feenstra finished the play by both tipping the shot and getting the rebound and putting it in the back of the net past the spralling netminder.  This ended the scoring in the second period.

The 3rd period Strathroy started with D-Men pinching and getting caught with both Kale Morton and Alex Mayhead heading in on a 2 on 0 from centre ice.  Kale snapped a nice wrist shot just inside the far post as Alex drove the net for any possible rebound.

The remainder of the 3rd period saw Petrolia fighting off numerous Strathroy scoring chances with Matt Kuipers standing tall this night with a shutout.

This was a total team effort as every player stepped up to play position, be physical and sacrifice when needed blocking numerous shots.  This will be the blueprint for getting more wins in this series.

One win does not win a series but it does in this case give Petrolia home ice advantage.

Lets keep up the hard work in practice Friday night and bring another big effort next Monday when the Oilers host the Rockets @ 8:50 pm.

Go Oilers Go