PHOTO: Ryley Risling scores a powerplay goal during Sunday’s game against the Okotoks Oilers but it wasn’t enough as the Eagles lost 4-2. Photo courtesy of Pam Doyle
UPCOMING GAMES
Canmore at Drumheller (@ Hanna) – Tuesday, Jan. 5
Camrose at Canmore – Friday, Jan. 8 – 7 PM
Camrose at Canmore – Saturday, Jan. 9 – 7 PM
The Okotoks Oilers scored three powerplay goals on Sunday afternoon to defeat the Canmore Eagles 4-2 in Alberta Junior Hockey League action at the Canmore Recreation Centre.
The Oilers also defeated the Eagles 3-2 on Saturday night in Okotoks to sweep the home and home series that opened the 2016 portion of the AJHL schedule.
With the two loses, the Eagles record falls to 18-15-4, while the Oilers two game sweep improves their record to 22-15-2. The Oilers now occupy third-place in the AJHL Southern Division standings with 46 points, while the Eagles sit in fourth-place with 40 points. Canmore has played two less games than the Oilers.
“I can't explain tonight,” said a frustrated Eagles Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne after Sunday’s loss. “I am as perplexed as anyone. We didn't have the fire inside us tonight. We stood around and watched and just went through the motions. Our guys were well aware of the game’s ramifications and the way we played is shocking. I am as confused as anyone. The coaches can't teach passion, it has to come from within. There is a saying the goes “you have to hate to lose more then you enjoying winning”. We need to get there and quick.”
Adam Tisdale (6th) and Ryley Risling (1st) had the Eagle goals on Sunday, while netminder Ryan Gilchrist took the loss to see his record drop to 9-5-2. The Eagles were outshot 33-30 on the night.
The road ahead does not get any easier for Canmore as they travel to Hanna on Tuesday night to face the hard-charging, fifth-place Drumheller Dragons (16-19-4) before returning to Canmore to face the second-place Camrose Kodiaks (26-8-3) for a pair of home games on Friday and Saturday.