Article Credit: Alessia Proietti
Photo Credit: Chad Goddard
The Blackfalds Bulldogs had a successful weekend with back-to-back wins, earning a 2-1 victory against the Okotoks Oilers on Sunday night at the Okotoks Centennial Arena.
On Saturday night, the Bulldogs won 5-4 against the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
The team also put themselves back into the third-place ranking, now holding 80 points this BCHL season while the Oilers are at a close 79 points. Blackfalds won 4-3 at their previous game against the Oilers on March 16 and will play the team one last time this regular season with a road game on April 5.
The Oilers earned a 1-0 lead early in the first period with a goal by Brett Wilson on Bulldogs netminder Gabe Gratton near the three-minute mark.
The home team had more than double shots on goal (19-8) compared to the visitors after 20 minutes of play.
But the lead was not for long, as Blackfalds’ Carter Cormier scored a goal with a one-timer high in the offensive zone on Okotoks goaltender Mikael Kingo. His second goal this BCHL season, and during his birthday weekend, was assisted by Ryan Shaw and Carter Patterson, tying the game 1-1 late in the second period at 17:21.
Just over one minute later, the Bulldogs’ leading goal-scorer Brendan Ross tipped in his 11th of the season while standing in front of the crease. James Johnson and Trent LeDrew got the helpers to take over the lead 2-1.
Okotoks still held puck dominance in the middle frame, outshooting Blackfalds 12-5.
A slow third period with only a few penalties within the final minutes, there were no power play opportunities or goals made. The Oilers pulled out goaltender Kingo for the last 45 seconds of regulation but could not even out the game.
Blackfalds slightly outshot Okotoks 6-5 in the final period.
Shots on goal
BFB: 19
OKO: 36
Power play
BFB: 0/3
OKO: 0/4
McWilliam Auto Services Three Stars
1st: Gabe Gratton (BFB) – SV35
2nd: James Johnson (BFB) – 1A
3rd: Brendan Ross (BFB) – 1G
The win puts the Bulldogs back into third place amongst Alberta teams in the BCHL with a record of 37-22-6-0 while the Oilers rank back in fourth at 38-24-3-0.
The Bulldogs will take a short break before playing against the Spruce Grove Saints on Saturday night at the Eagle Builders Centre. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. with the broadcast live on Mixlr.
