Special teams woes and an untimely gaffe have turned a 3-1 series lead into the Junior A Oilers now being on the brink of elimination.
The Camrose Kodiaks forced a seventh and deciding game in their Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) South Final series with a 3-1 victory on Sunday night in Camrose.
The Oilers had jumped out to a three games to one lead in the series and they had a chance to clinch in Game 5 Friday in Okotoks, but failed to do so losing 2-1 in overtime at the Centennial Arena.
“Simply put, we just weren’t good enough in a lot of areas,” Oilers’ coach James Poole said following their overtime loss.
After a pedestrian start to the series, the Oilers’ powerplay continued to struggle throughout the weekend.
The Oilers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in Game 5, but they then had a chance to take control of the game with an extended five-on-three in the second period.
Unfortunately, Okotoks was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and nursed their one goal lead into the dying minutes of the third.
Camrose’s Tyler Jewitt continued his torrid playoff pace in the final period with the tying goal – coming with just four minutes remaining in the game.
Jewitt’s goal gave the Kodiaks life and forced overtime.
After making 38 saves through regulation, Oiler goalie Michael Tadjdeh continued his outstanding play through the first nine minutes of the overtime.
Unfortunately, it was Tadjdeh’s final play that would decide the game.
With 48 seconds remaining in the period, the Okotoks’ netminder mistakenly played the puck onto the waiting stick of the Kodiaks’ John Lidgett who proceeded to shoot the puck into the wide-open net.
“I think (Tadjdeh) just forgot I was there,” Lidgett said. “It was an open net.”
Despite the gaffe, Poole dispelled any notion the loss was the goalie’s fault — especially after he made 44 difficult saves through the first 49 minutes.
“(Tadjdeh) had our back all series long,” he said. “If it wasn’t for him, that game probably would’ve been over during regulation.”
After being pushed to the edge, the Kodiaks were pleased to force a Game 6 in their barn.
“We were trying to get it back to Camrose and that’s what we’re doing,” Lidgett said. “I thought we played too well to lose 1-0… and we proved it.”
Poole said he was disappointed with the loss but stressed the importance of forgetting the night’s devastating conclusion.
“You’ve just got to take your lumps tonight. Tomorrow’s a brand new day,” he said.
The Oilers’ powerplay continued its slump in Camrose.
After a Scott Bolland marker, Okotoks took a one-goal lead into the final minutes of the second period.
With the Oilers on the powerplay, Camrose’s Tanner Dion converted a shorthanded chance to make it 1-1.
Lidgett then scored to give the Kodiaks the lead heading into the second intermission.
Camrose’s forward would add another goal in the third period to give the home team a 3-1 victory.
Tadjdeh made 25 saves in goal for Okotoks while Kodiaks goaltender Dalyn Flette made 27 stops for the win.
The Oilers went scoreless on six powerplay opportunities and stretched their futility streak to 13 straight chances without a goal over the last two games.
The Kodiaks scored once with their five powerplay opportunities.
The Oilers played their series-deciding game on Tuesday night but results were unavailable at press time.
The winner of Game 7 will face the Spruce Grove Saints in the AJHL final.
The first game of the championship will be on April 1 at 7 p.m. at the Grant Fuhr Arena in Spruce Grove.
