Dec 27, 2014 | lharse | 288 views
Oilers Open Defence of Silverstick Title with a Win
The Atom Rep Oilers opened their title defence with a well earned 4-1 victory over the Mt. Brydges Cougars yesterday on the opening Day of the 25th Annual Alvinston Regional Atom Silverstick Tournament.
Missing offensive star Andrew Jaques due to injury, the Oilers dug deep and thrived under the opportunity to step up and win the big game in front of the huge crowd for their fallen comrade. All players bought in and and played a solid team game getting pucks in deep, generating lots of shots on net and were able to chip pucks out of our end when we needed to.
The Oilers had chances in the first and had lots of shots and a couple goalposts but the game was scoreless until the end of the first period when Jace McGrail let a wrister go from the faceoff dot that found the top corner over the goalie's shoulder. The period ended 1-0 for the Oilers.
In the second, The Oilers kept working hard and had more scoring chances but the Cougars were able to score the only goal to tie it up at 1-1 heading to the third.
In the third, the intensity was ramped up again and the Oilers took control instead of wilt under pressure. Brady Melton was on the doorstep and had two whacks at the puck but the goalie made the saves. Jace McGrail swooped in and found the loose puck and wristed it up and over the goalie pads for a 2-1 lead. Melton got the assist for his hard work in front getting it started.
The game was close at 2-1 and both teams traded chances as the clock wound down. With just under 4 minutes to play....Reid King picked up a pass from Will Hull and Zach Wilson and streaked down the right side and had some space created by some questionable interference and he let a wrister go and it found the far corner of the net past a surprised Mt. Brydges Goalie. Oilers up 3-1 with 3minutes to go.
The Cougars pulled their goalie to try a comeback but the Oilers were rock solid and thwarted every attempt. McGrail iced the game and completed his hattrick into an empty net to seal the win 4-1.
The Oilers kept their penalties under 5 which is imperative for success and the Defense was solid all game and goalie Kento Gudz stood tall and made some stellar saves when called upon. Atom AE call up Reed Douglas played a regular shift on Defense and played well.
McGrail was selected as player of the game but could have easily gone to any number of Oilers who played their hearts out. A great team win to get the tournament rolling.
Andrew Jaques dressed and was on the bench for team support and provided the intermission entertainment as the 7th Skater...skating laps...perhaps an Oilers flag to carry is in the works until he gets the green light to return to action?
Keep it up boys.
Next up are two games in Alvinston on Monday at 9am vs Wallaceburg and at 540 vs a powerful squad from Ingersoll.