Robert Murray/ Fort McMurray Today
http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2014/03/15/oil-barons-slip-past-bobcats-in-game-one
The Fort McMurray Oil Barons survived a scare on home ice against the Lloydminster Bobcats Friday night, scoring three unanswered power play goals to take game one of their Alberta Junior Hockey League North Division semi-final by a score of 4-3.
“It’s a win,” said MOB head coach Gord Thibodeau. “I wasn’t happy with the first period but we played better after that. Probably the worst period of playoff hockey I’ve seen in 20 years in this league in the first period.”
After Alex Cromwell scored on the first shot of the game to put the Oil Barons up by one, the Bobcats reeled off three straight goals in just under 11 minutes to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Oil Barons regained the momentum in the middle frame thanks to power play goals from Danton Ayotte and Kevin Miller. Miller’s game-tying goal came during a five-minute power play as a result of a check from behind by Taylor Mulder on Brennan Saulnier. Mulder also received a game-misconduct as a result of the play.
With Bobcats forward Bryce Woodward in the box to begin the third period, forward Ryan Bloom scored his second of the goal of the post-season to put the Oil Barons ahead for good. The MOB finished three for six on the man advantage in the game.
“It was a rough start for us,” said Bloom. “It was a good finish to the game, last period and a half, so we’re happy with that.”
Bobcats net minder Christopher Tai made 25 saves on 29 shots, while MOB goalie Tanner Jaillet made 21 saves to pick up his fourth win of the post-season.
Game two is scheduled for Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Casman Centre.
robert.murray@sunmedia.ca
Photo credit: Robert Murray/Today Staff