It continues to be a November to remember for the Bow Mark Oilers.
The Okotoks Bow Mark Oilers (11-3-0) added three wins in four days last week to extend their winning streak to six games in the Alberta Midget Hockey League and there’s a pretty clear reason for the run.
“Our group is working hard,” said Bow Mark Oilers Ryan Barrett. “I think we’re a tough team to play against right now due to the fact we really want to skate and our guys are working hard and they’re tough to play against.
“They’re sticking to the structure right now and it’s really nice to see the effort level is where it is.”
Okotoks improved to 7-1 on the road with a pair of victories over Northern Division foes on Nov. 16-17.
The Oilers closed the weekend in a 6-1 rout over the CAC Gregg Distributors.
Adam Goody made 21 saves, Daniel Tainton scored twice along with single tallies from Daxton Budd, Moe Hakim, Ivan Chtchadov and Alex Frank.
“You don’t want to go up there and have those really down bus trips coming home,” Barrett said. “The guys were really motivated, from our goaltending out on those road trips we’ve been playing really good road games."
Okotoks rode a four-goal third period to a 5-2 win over the Sherwood Park J. Ennis Kings. Goody made 23 saves while Budd, Ethan McKibbin, Liam Watkins and captain Sam Simard provided the offence in the final stanza surge.
“It’s wave after wave, we play four lines and we play six D and I just think the energy level just stays high for that third period,” the coach added. “Where we don’t shorten our bench as much some other guys do and allow our guys to play and try to play at a high level with lots of energy.”
Goody, in particular, needed all of the energy in his locker.
With goaltending partner Mitch Dudar out with an injury, the shot-stopper backstopped the Oilers for three games in four days.
Watkins scored twice on set-ups from McKibbin and Budd notched the game-winner midway through the final frame in the 3-2 comeback win over Red Deer on Nov. 14 on home ice.
Goody made 21 saves in the win.
“He’s playing really well and he’s giving us a chance to win every game we play,” Barrett said. “I think the bus ride home he probably slept most of the way home, but Goody’s the type of kid that you could throw him in every day and I don’t think he would have a problem with it.
“He’s got a good motor and a very disciplined approach to the game.”
One other connecting thread in all three games was Budd lighting the lamp.
The speedy centre from High River is up to 5 goals and 10 points in 14 games.
“He’s a hard working kid and just an honest hockey player,” Barrett said. “He’s really fun to coach. He’s got Daniel Tainton and Ethan MacIntyre (as linemates) and they’re a big strong line that likes to go to the net and I think it’s paying off for all three of them.”
This week the Bow Mark Oilers are home to the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers on Nov. 23, a 6:30 p.m. puck-drop at Pason Centennial Arena.
For more information go to ooaaoilerhockey.ca
