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Bow Mark Oilers blanked on opening weekend

The Bow Mark Oilers’ quest to the win column has gone into week two of the season.
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Bow Mark Oilers forward Owen McFarlane battles with a Calgary Flames player at Pason Centennial Arena on Oct. 1 the season opener for both squads. Calgary won by a 4-2 score. (Brent Calver/Western Wheel)

The Bow Mark Oilers’ quest to the win column has gone into week two of the season.

Following a pair of narrow losses to divisional rivals on home ice, the Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers took stock of some hits and misses during the opening weekend of the Alberta Elite Hockey League U18 AAA campaign.

“I thought both of our goalies played well both nights,” said Bow Mark Oilers head coach Chris Beston. “They held us in it. Especially, Marek Schlenker on Friday, he played fantastic and held us right in there and Kashton (Payne) played good on Saturday.

“Friday, I thought everybody played well…”

Okotoks pushed a dangerous Calgary Flames AAA team in the opener, ultimately falling 4-2 at Pason Centennial Arena on Oct. 1.

Highlight reel tallies from Gavin Schmidt, on a terrific display of hand-eye coordination to bring down a saucer pass and swiftly fire in a wrist shot, and Aidan McArthur, on a breakaway goal off a sublime stretch pass from Andrew Sikora, showcased the team’s dynamism in attack.

At the other end of the ice, 2006-born netminder Schlenker made 33 saves on 37 shots in a strong debut in between the pipes.

“Overall, I think the Flames are going to be one of the better teams in the division and we were right there competing with them all the way,” Beston said.

“We hit three posts right there in the end and we gave up some 2-on-1’s where we didn’t get shots. So, yes there was a little bit of puck luck, a little bit of mental mistakes that we’ll correct here.”

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Bow Mark Oilers defenceman Avery Greig fends off a Calgary Flame Andrew Masse at Pason Centennial Arena on Oct. 1. (Brent Calver/Western Wheel)

The Oilers weren’t quite able to match the effort the following night, dropping a 4-1 decision to the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes.

McArthur provided the offence with a third period tally with Payne making 13 saves on 16 shots.

“We just never really had any jump,” Beston said. “We were just kind of slow to pucks all day and just weren’t the same team we were the night before.

“I think it came down to a little bit of conditioning and a little bit of focus so we’ll be better next weekend.”

Okotoks is back on the ice with a pair of Thanksgiving weekend clashes on the docket. First, the Oilers are in Airdrie on Oct. 9 for a rivalry match-up with the CFR Bisons and then return home for an Oct. 10 tango with the Northstars, a 4:15 p.m. start at Pason Centennial Arena.

Beston said he expects the South Division to be a top-to-bottom battle all season.

“It’s going to come down to hard work, putting in 60 minutes,” the coach said. “We realize that, we can’t play one period and win hockey games here.

“And just capitalizing on the opportunities that we get, realizing sometimes you don’t get a whole lot so you’ve got to make sure the ones you do get count.”

For more information go to u18aaa.ca.


Remy Greer

About the Author: Remy Greer

Remy Greer is the assistant editor and sports reporter for westernwheel.ca and the Western Wheel newspaper. For story tips contact [email protected]
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