BROOKS, AB (December 6, 2014) – Kyle Star (Langley, BC) scored the winner in the third period, and Trent Lofthouse (Surrey, BC) and Adam Durkee (Nederland, CO) added the insurance, as the Fort McMurray Oil Barons (18-13-3) erased a second period deficit, beating the Brooks Bandits 5-2.
It was the Bandits that scored first on the night, when Brooks captain Madison Dunn beat Zach Fortin (St. Jérome, PQ) to give the Bandits a 1-0 lead, as well as ignite the Teddy Bear Toss at the Centennial Regional Arena.
But the MOB tied things up before the period was out, as Lofthouse scored his first of the night on the powerplay, with 1:25 to play in the period.
In the second, Jared Cockrell put the Bandits out in front again, finishing off a pass from Austin Plevy.
But five minutes after that the Barons found themselves on another powerplay, when Brett McNeil’s (Halifax, NS) shot found the back of the net, tying the game up at 2.
In the third, the Barons turned it up another notch.
Star’s go-ahead goal got the Barons out in front less than three minutes into the period.
Less than three minutes later, Lofthouse scored his second of the night, extending Fort McMurray’s lead to two.
But the MOB still fought through some adversity, when a two-handed slash to the mid-section of Fortin went uncalled, while Tyler Dea (St. Albert, AB) managed to acquire a penalty moments later.
And then Durkee iced the game, potting the empty-netter with 5 seconds left to give the MOB a 5-2 win.
Fortin made 37 saves in the win, while Michael Fredrick had 19 saves in a losing effort for the Bandits.
With the win, the Barons pull to within one point of third-place Sherwood Park, and also have a game in hand on the Crusaders.
Up next for the Barons, the weekend road trip wraps in Calgary tomorrow afternoon, with a 2:00 matinee against the Canucks.
The pre-game show will kick things off at 1:45 on KAOS 91.1
KAOS 91.1 3 Stars:
3. Jared Cockrell (1G)
2. Trent Lofthouse (2G)
1. Zach Fortin (37sv/39sh)