An inauspicious start was too much to overcome for the Green and Gold.
The Okotoks Oilers were downed 5-2 by the Brooks Bandits in Game 3 of the Alberta Junior Hockey League South semifinal series on Tuesday night in front of 1,556 fans at the Okotoks Centennial Arenas with the visitors regaining the series lead on the strength of an imposing first period.
The Bandits took control early with a dominant opening frame, taking a 3-0 lead into the intermission and holding Okotoks to just one shot before a late period powerplay.
Caelan Fitzpatrick scored on a wicked wrist shot after extended pressure from the visitors. Ethan Beyer doubled the advantage after being first to a bounce off the boards. Hughie Hooker made it three with the defenceman left alone in front of goal to cash in a rebound.
Brooks earned a four-goal lead early in period two when blueliner Aaron Brown’s point shot found the back of the net.
Sensing the game slipping away, Okotoks found its energy in the middle frame and took the play to Brooks for parts of the 20 minutes.
Zeth Kindrachuk got Okotoks on the board after stepping out of the penalty box, turning on the jets and coasting in on a breakaway before tucking in a forehand deke past Bandits netminder Ethan Barwick.
Brooks added an early third period marker through AJHL MVP Aiden Fink with Okotoks countering late on a wrist shot while falling down from Brett Huxley.
The teams played to a pair of 3-2 results in the first two games of the series in Brooks with the Bandits taking the opener and Okotoks skating away victorious in Game 2. The high-octane Bandits were held to under 30 shots in both games, with Okotoks keeping Brooks’ potent powerplay to one goal on the man advantage through the first two contests.
Game 4 is Wednesday, March 29 at the Okotoks Centennial Arenas.
For more information, visit okotoksoilers.ca.
Series schedule
Game 1: March 24. Okotoks at Brooks. Bandits win 3-2
Game 2: March 25. Okotoks at Brooks. Oilers win 3-2
Game 3: March 28. Brooks at Okotoks. Bandits win 5-2
Game 4: March 29. Brooks at Okotoks
Game 5: March 31. Okotoks at Brooks
Game 6: April 2. Brooks at Okotoks
Game 7: April 4. Okotoks at Brooks
