A three-goal counter-punch has the Carstar Okotoks Bisons up early on the HJHL final.
Okotoks scored three quick strike first period goals to erase an early deficit and skate to a 3-1 triumph over the Sylvan Lake Wranglers in Game 1 of the best-of-seven HJHL final Saturday night at the Murray Arena.
“They got off to a hot start and got the jump on us,” said Bisons blueliner Brayden Kapty. “We answered the bell and got off the races there and then it was history.
“The season series puts a staple on it, but we just keep playing our game, moving the puck quick and coming out hitting.”
Against the run of play, the visitors opened the scoring with Austin Corsiatto converting a rebound in tight at the 7:37 mark.
Okotoks answered in short order on the man advantage.
Kapty deflected in a cross crease pass on the powerplay, Avery Greig followed up a series of forechecking shifts with a well-place shot from the point and Scott Brown rounded out the first period scoring with a tap-in from the high slot.
“It was good that we answered back fairly quickly and then we got that second one and it looked a little deflating for them,” said Bisons head coach Brad Cobb. “We’re used to that all year, we tend to give up first goals more than we score first, but for whatever reason it’s worked out so far.”
Okotoks poured it on with a 21-6 edge in shots in the opening frame.
A penalty filled middle stanza saw the momentum stifled, with the Wranglers clawing their way back into the contest.
Grady Nicholas made 29 saves for his seventh win of the postseason.
“I thought we started really well and then we weren’t managing pucks as well as we have in the past and I think that’s what got a little flow going for them in the second period,” Cobb said. “But we buttoned down in the third and played pretty solid defensively and kept pucks ahead of us and finished it off.
“But it’s going to be a tough series, they’re a good team.”
The teams get back on the ice Sunday evening with Sylvan Lake returning serve in a 4-2 victory.
Justin Gyori scored twice to lead the Wranglers with Kaleb Schuller and Daniel Tainton tallying for Okotoks.
The Bisons will look to regain the series lead in Game 3 on Friday, March 22 at 8 p.m.
HJHL final schedule
Game 1: March 16, 7:30 p.m. Murray Arena. Bisons win 3-1
Game 2: March 17, 6:30 p.m. NextSource Centre. Wranglers win 4-2
Game 3: March 22, 8 p.m. Murray Arena
Game 4: March 23, 8 p.m. NextSource Centre
*Game 5: March 29, 8 p.m. Murray Arena
*Game 6: March 30, 8 p.m. NextSource Centre
*Game 7: March 31, 6 p.m. Murray Arena
*If necessary
