DRAYTON VALLEY, AB (Sep. 22, 2012) — Mike Marianchuk's game-opening goal was all the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (2-2) could muster, as they dropped a 4-1 decision in Drayton Valley on Saturday night.
Marianchuk (Innisfail, AB) picked up where he left off, having scored the overtime winner the previous night in a 3-2 overtime win. After a shot from forward Kevin Lacroix (St. Albert) was saved by Drayton goalie Mitch Maraschiello (Kenmore, NY), the speedy Baron collected the rebound at the side of the net, and backhanded it in front to a wide open Marianchuk, who tapped it into an empty net for his second goal of the season.
It wouldn't take long for the Thunder to reply, however. Two quick goals off of the sticks of Neil Tarnasky and Brendan McKay (Toronto, ON) gave the home side a lead within a 25-second span.
In the second period, McKay scored his second junior A goal 7:53 in, chasing MOB netminder Ethan Wood (St. Albert, AB), as head coach Gord Thibodeau sent Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, AB) in to finish the game.
Jaillet stopped 11 of 12 shots, the lone goal allowed being a powerplay one-timer from Tyler Hart (Spruce Grove, AB), but the MOB offence couldn't muster anything to add onto Marianchuk's first-period goal.
The Barons went 0-for-4 on the powerplay.
They're back in action tomorrow afternoon in Sherwood Park against the Crusaders.
Country 93.3 3 stars:
3. Brayden Harris (2 assists)
2. Brendan McKay (2 goals)
1. Mitch Maraschiello (33 saves, 34 shots)