FORT MCMURRAY, AB (November 2, 2012) — Harry Hendrix (Calgary, AB) became the first Fort McMurray Oil Baron to hit double-digits in goals this season, but it wasn't enough, as the Spruce Grove Saints downed the Barons 3-2 in overtime on Friday night at the Casman Centre.
The game was an evenly-matched affair, with the Saints missing leading scorer Dylan Richard, who was in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for the World Junior A Challenge.
Nonetheless, it was captain Tim Nolte who would step up to fill the offensive void, tallying three assists to spearhead the Saints attack.
First, he set up Jarid Hauptman for the first goal of the game 33 seconds into the second period off an excellent centering pass into the slot area.
The Barons soon responded when Danny Gayle (Calgary, AB) converted on a rebound after a stellar rush by linemate Brett Printz (Red Deer, AB).
In the third, Nolte set up defenceman Dustin Fostvelt, who made an excellent backskating move to get enough space to fire a wrist shot from the left wing faceoff circle past goaltender Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, AB) to make it 2-1 for Spruce Grove.
But the Barons pulled off some last minute heroics when Hendrix corralled a rebound at the side of the Saints net and fired a spinaround shot from a sharp, close angle past goaltender Kenny Cameron to tie the game with just 33 seconds left.
In overtime, however, it would be Nolte again setting up the decisive marker, as his shot from the left circle rang iron behind goaltender Tanner Jaillet. But linemate Devon McAndrews found the loose puck before Jaillet, jamming it in for the dramatic win, the second in as many games for Spruce Grove in Fort McMurray this year.
Jaillet stopped 28 of 31 shots while Cameron stopped 31 of 33.
The Barons went 0 for 2 on the power play and have now failed to convert in their last 27 straight man advantage opportunities.
The teams play again on Saturday night at the Casman at 8 o'clock, with pregame coverage starting at 7:45 on Country 93.3.
Country 93.3 3 stars:
3. Kenny Cameron (31 saves/33 shots)
2. Tanner Jaillet (28 saves/31 shots)
1. Tim Nolte (3 assists)