FORT MCMURRAY, AB (December 8, 2012) – Doug Jones (Calgary, AB) scored two goals in 28 seconds in the third period to spearhead a 4-2 win for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (16-14-3) over the visiting Lloydminster Bobcats.
Jones was making his return from injury and produced all night on a line with Danny Gayle (Calgary, AB) and newcomer Hayden Dawes (Stony Plain, AB).
The game was a defensive struggle through 20 minutes with a scoreless first period in which only 9 shots were fired on either goal – 5 for the MOB and 4 for the Cats.
In the second, it took only 44 seconds for Gayle to weave his way around a Lloydminster defender, and convert a wrist shot from the right side of the net to open the scoring.
But the Bobcats would soon respond, as Linden Springer scored on a point shot at the 11:33 mark to tie the game after 40.
In the third, it was Lloydminster that got off to the hot start, as Tanner Dunkle converted a net-front scramble with a backhand goal past goalie Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, AB) only 53 seconds in.
But then Jones took control, scoring his first goal on a 2-on-1 rush at 3:24 when he fired a wrist shot over the glove of goaltender Chase Martin, off the crossbar, and into the net to tie the game back up.
Less than 30 seconds later, Jones drove the net and fired a backhander that looked to be deflected away off a defender’s stick; but in fact, it bounced up in the air and past Martin, falling into the back of the net to give the Barons a 3-2 lead.
With time running out in the third, the Bobcats took an ill-advised penalty that led to a fifth powerplay chance for the MOB. It took only five seconds for the Barons to win the faceoff and find Luc Lalor (St. Albert, AB) at the left halfboards, who fed Mike Marianchuk (Innisfail, AB) in the slot for a one-time goal to cap off the scoring and seal the 4-2 win.
Jaillet stopped 24 of 26 shots for his tenth win of the season.
The Barons return to action tomorrow afternoon at 2pm, hosting the Bobcats once more.
Country 93.3 3 stars:
3. Danny Gayle (1 goal)
2. Dustin Lebrun (2 assists)
1. Doug Jones (2 goals)
