Captain clutch came through to salvage the Bow Mark Oilers’ opening weekend of 2020.
Sam Simard scored two third-period goals with linemates Moe Hakim and Ivan Chtchadov both getting in on the scoring as the Oilers erased a two-goal deficit to edge the SSAC Boston Pizza Athletics 5-3 on Jan. 5 at Pason Centennial Arena.
“That line was probably our best line in the second and third and Sam was a big part of that,” said Bow Mark Oilers head coach Ryan Barrett. “Those three guys when they get going can be really effective and Sam is the heartbeat of that line for sure.”
Simard gave the Oilers their first lead with 11 minutes left in regulation, one-timing a cross-ice pass from defenceman Lucas Watkins into the back of the net.
After the plucky visitors evened the score, Simard again scored, taking the puck to the net and lifting a shot over SSAC netminder Lachlan Gordon.
“We knew we had to do something to get us back,” Hakim said. “We take pride in getting all the boys going and getting the momentum going. Sam made two great goals.
“We struggled in the first half so coming back was everything. We really needed these two points.”
The visitors jumped out to a 2-0 advantage early in the second period through a pair of Brock Molofy goals.
Simon Smith-Burness got Okotoks on the board on the next shift and Hakim evened the score on a solo effort from coast-to-coast, showcasing endless energy after serving a four-minute double minor.
“I came down and wanted to make a move, but didn’t really have an option,” Hakim said. “I just took a shot and saw it go in and was pretty excited.”
The interdivisional clash had a lot of bite to it and the physicality served to give the Oilers a much needed jolt in the middle frame.
“I think some of these guys took a shot in the mouth they weren’t too happy about and then figured out they’re in a hockey game," the coach added. "I would have liked us to take a little bit more of a physical approach, but it was nice to see our guys respond after being banged around a bit.”
Okotoks threw 34 shots on goal over the final 40 minutes and the dam finally broke in the final frame. Daxton Budd rounded out the scoring with an empty netter to go along with Simard’s third period brace.
“Once we got that first one we got ourselves going and everybody got alive on the bench,” Hakim said. “That’s what we were missing before. Everybody just seemed kind of tired or not as into it as usual.
“We went through a busy stretch and now just coming back into it and getting a hockey mindset of win, win, win. It’s a tough time, but we’re going to get through it and come back next week and be strong.”
The Oilers opened the weekend with a rare home loss, a 6-2 defeat to the CAC Gregg Distributors on Jan. 4.
Ethan MacIntyre provided the goals for Okotoks with linemate Budd assisting on both tallies.
“We struggled this weekend, we played two good teams, really well coached teams,” Barrett said. “I think we’re just going through some of that having a lot of thoughts going through our minds rather than just playing hockey.
“We’re going to simplify it, get it back down after the Mac’s here and get back to business.”
The Oilers (15-5-3) are keeping pace with the top-seed Calgary Buffaloes, three points back of the Mac’s Tournament champions with a game in hand, with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Calgary Flames all within striking distance atop the Chrysler Division standings.
“I just want a playoff spot,” Barrett said. “How that all shakes out at the top, it is what it is and I hope we get our points. If we just keep getting our points and we solidify that playoff spot then we can see where we line up.
“Really, I’m not too worried about anything but that playoff spot.”
Okotoks takes its show on the road this week with stops in Grande Prairie and Red Deer on Jan. 11-12.
For more information go to ooaaoilerhockey.ca
