Mar 14, 2015 | lharse | 741 views
Oilers Earn a Tie With Predators to Advance to Final
The Oilers needed a win or a tie to advance to the Shamrock League Final and they got what they needed...barely. It wasn't easy and the Oilers took a bunch of penalties, and majority of them were well deserved and they managed to kill off the penalties to gain a 3-3 tie.
The Oilers fell behind 1-0 after 58 seconds but battled back five minutes later to tie the game on a goal from Andrew Jaques assisted by Stanley MacDonald. The lead only lasted for a minute when Lambton Shores scored again to take a 2-1 lead.
In the second period, the Oilers started getting pucks in deep and started to wear down the defenders. Liam Crummy shot the puck in and the forward trio of Owen Stokes, Will Hull and Jace McGrail took turns trying to solve the Preds goalie before finally the puck squirted out to McGrail who tucked it past the goalie to tie the game at 2-2.
Heading to the third, a barrage of penalties slowed the pace of the game. At the 9:19 mark of the third, Lambton Shores scored again to take the lead 3-2 heading to the final 9 minutes of the game. Oilers' Penalties prevented many scoring chances but they killed all penalties off. Liam Crummy shot the puck in deep and Jace McGrail worked the puck down low and wore down the defence behind the net and walked out and wrapped the puck into the far corner of the net for the tying goal.
Seven minutes to go, could the Oilers hang on and earn the tie or score and get the win? Three more third period penalties made things interesting but Noah Bright and some strong PK coverage kept the puck out. Noah Bright stopped a 2-0 from the far blue line after a pass was picked off but a penalty was called. The Oilers would have to defend the final minute and half playing short handed. Several shot blocks and ability to get pucks off the ice and out of the zone helped seal the tie and advance the Oilers to the League final.
Big Z Wilson had a strong game on the boards and causing havoc in the slot area. Kinger, Melton, Hullzy, Stokesy and Kolby were tenacious on the forecheck. Melton had a breakaway but was unable to get it past the Preds tender. Crummy, MacDonald, and Harse did a good job containing the Predators sniper who only scored once today. McGrail and Jaques were solid at centre and took time and space away from key Preds players. Harse also earned some frequent flyer points for his trifecta of trips to the sinbin.
Noah Bright earned the tie in the Oilers cage.
The Oilers had 18 minutes in penalties to the Predators 6 minutes.
The League playoff final standings were Lambton Shores 5 Pts (1 win, 3ties), Petrolia 4 points (1 win, 2 ties), South Kent 3 points (1 win and 1 tie)
Happy March Break Oilers. League Series will begin next weekend.