The Okotoks Midget AA Oilers keep racking up the wins and they’re starting to get noticed for their performance.
The Oilers downed the Cranbrook Ice 4-3 on Saturday night at the Murray Arena to move into a first place tie in the South Central Alberta Hockey League’s (SCAHL) North Division with the Airdrie Lightning.
However, the Oilers (9-5-1) hold six games in hand on Airdrie (7-9-5) and thus overtaking the Lightning appears to be inevitable.
On the heels of a 4-4 tie the night before, the Oilers came out a bit flat-footed against the upstart Ice.
After a scoreless first, Cranbook took a 1-0 lead in the second period, but the rest of the frame would belong to the Oilers as they answered with four consecutive markers including two from Dylan Wilson and singles by Zak Johns and leading-scorer Liam McMaster.
The final period saw the Ice mount a charge but two goals, including one with a second left on the clock, were too little to late as the Oilers came away with the 4-3 home victory.
Oilers head coach Andrew Tuckey said he was not thrilled with his club’s effort, though he was impressed with their play in the middle frame.
“The third period was a bit tough, they were fighting it,” he said. “It was a bit of rough game.”
McMaster said he knows his team can play like they did in the second; they just have to show it on a consistent basis.
“We’ve got to work like we did in the second period because we can play that consistent. We’ve proved that over this year,” he said.
For outside observers, one of the Oilers’ keys to success has been the relentless pursuit of improvement. That type of mindset is a credit to the head coach and his staff, who have taken the initiative to make sure their players strive to get better each game.
For Tuckey, this philosophy has earned him victories and recognition by the SCAHL. Tuckey and his staff were recently named as the coaches for Team North at the upcoming Midget AA All-star game on Jan. 16 in Red Deer.
The coaches were awarded with the spot due to having the best winning percentage amongst the teams in the North Division.
Tuckey deflected any praise towards his players for their willingness to play in his system.
“This year we had a younger team and they came willing to put in the effort,” he said.
Goaltender Richard Palmer also earned an all-star selection, due to his save percentage being among the league leaders.
Tuckey stressed the important role Palmer and fellow goaltender Sam Reid have played in the Oilers’ success.
“We have our lapses in the defensive zone… and they bail us out,” he explained. “(Richard’s) been a big reason for our success.”
The coaches were also tasked with choosing three representatives from their own team to join them in Red Deer.
Tuckey tabbed forwards McMaster, Johns and defenceman Tyson Arnholtz as his choices as Oilers who will on the all-star squad.
Although this will be his second time, the honour and opportunity is not lost on McMaster.
“It’s pretty exciting,” he said. “(It’s a) chance to develop my skill.”
McMaster has paced the Oilers with 28 points (including 11 goals) in 15 games thus far. As Tuckey pointed out, the high-flying forward has led through his actions on the ice.
“He’s just been a solid leader all year,” he said. “He really leads by example out there.”
Johns, the Oilers’ second leading scorer and a linemate of McMaster’s, will be heading to first all-star game experience.
“It’s a pretty good feeling. I’ve been playing OA (Okotoks Association) six years now and this is the first time I’ll get to go. It will be a cool experience,” he said.
While he has enjoyed a strong season offensively, Johns said he is well aware his defensive responsibilities were what likely delivered him a spot on the team.
“I’m putting in a lot more goals this year than I have been for other years, but defence is probably what got me there,” he said.
Big defenceman Arnholtz will also be making his all-star debut. He was pleased a half-season of hard work did not go unnoticed.
“It feels like all my hard work’s paid off this year,” he said. “I just want to thank my coaches for picking me.”
“Tyson’s just our big guy on the back end. He likes to move the puck, likes to be physical and, once again, (he’s) just another guy that leads by example,” Tuckey said, reflecting on the play of his defenceman.
The Oilers are now on break for the holidays and will resume action on Jan. 2 at 6 p.m. versus the Bow Valley Timberwolves at the Murray Arena.
