FORT McMURRAY, AB (January 23, 2015) – The Fort McMurray Oil Barons (26-17-4) scored three goals in a span of 1:38, to a complete the comeback in a 5-4 win over the Okotoks Oilers.
Logan Franz (Medicine Hat, AB) got the Barons the lead in the first, when he chipped a rebound over the shoulder of Nic Renyard to make it 1-0.
But less than two minutes later, the Oilers tied it on the powerplay on a crazy bounce, when Darian Henry's point shot deflected off the end boards, off a couple skates in the crease, and in behind Zach Fortin (St. Jérome, PQ) to tie things 1-1.
In the second, the Barons once again took the first lead, when Luc Lalor (St. Albert, AB) banged home a cross-ice feed from Adam Durkee (Nederland, CO) for the 2-1 lead.
But the Oilers tied it up once more, when Eric Krienke took the puck to the top of the slot on an odd-man rush, and snapped it past Fortin to make it 2-2.
And just over three minutes later, Jordie Lawson's spinning backhander got past a screened Fortin, to give Okotoks the 3-2 lead after 40.
In the third, the Oilers looked to add some insurance when Stephen Doane's goal just past the halfway mark made it a two-goal lead.
But that cued the Barons comeback three minutes later, starting when Jetlan Houcher (Paradise Valley, AB) broke up the off-wing and teed one up for Franz, whose second of the game cut the lead to 4-3.
1:16 after that, Isaac Ceh (Chicago, IL) converted a feed from Lalor at the top of the crease, tying the game at 4.
And just 22 seconds after that, the Barons pounced on a turnover in the Oilers' zone, with Stefan Burzan (Surrey, BC) sliding it under the pad of Renyard, to give the Barons a 5-4 lead and put the Casman Centre into a frenzy.
The MOB then shut the door over the final four-and-a-half minutes, hanging on for the win.
Renyard made 27 saves in a tough loss for the Oilers, while Fortin put up 31 saves in a winning effort for the Barons.
The Barons' win coupled with a Lloydminster loss moves the MOB back within two points of second place in the North, with a game in hand on the Bobcats.
Up next, the Barons host the Drumheller Dragons on Saturday night at the Casman Centre (January 24).
Tickets are available at the Casman Centre box office, online at tickets.oilbarons.com, or by phone at 780 743 5509.
As well, the Barons are honouring Minor Hockey Week, by offering all local minor hockey players free admission to the game.
To earn free admission, the player needs only to come to the game in his or her minor hockey jersey, and no ticket will be required.
KAOS 91.1 3 Stars:
3. Stefan Burzan (1 GWG)
2. Stephen Doane (1G 2A)
1. Logan Franz (2G)