After a great performance in their Home Opener in Banff on Friday night, the Canmore Eagles were back on the road to tangle up against the always challenging Okotoks Oilers for the first time this season. The Eagles had a good start to the game as at the midway mark of the 1st period, they were outshooting the Oilers 5-1 and had some good chances. However the Eagles despite playing a solid 1st period, found themselves down 2-1 after 20 minutes.
The Oilers then took over the game in the middle frame as they outshot the Eagles 22-4 in that period and had the Eagles hammered down in their own end for most of the period with their hard work and relentless forecheck. The final score was 6-2 for the home side.
?I thought we looked fatigued, they did a great job of being on top of us quickly,? said Eagles Head Coach and General Manager Andrew Milne. ?They (Okotoks) worked and they outworked us tonight and that?s something we talked about that we can?t have. They were quick to get to pucks, they were on top of us quickly, they competed to get those loose pucks and win the battles and they did. I give them credit. They outplayed us in the 2nd period, took control of the game and we could never get it back. It’s the third game in four nights for our guys, but that?s no excuse this early in the year.?
The Eagles 1st-period goal was scored by Max Giangualano, his 1st of the season on the Power Play. Rookie Defenceman Dylan Witzke assisted on the goal. The other Eagles goal came from Defenceman Brent Schuldhaus in the 3rd period. Ethan Schaeffer and Zach Carlson picked up the helpers.
With the loss, the Eagles see their early-season record drop to 1 win and 2 losses.
?We need to understand that work beats talent, unless talent works,? said Coach Milne. ?You control your attitude and your effort and we didn?t have a great effort tonight.?
Logan Dyck was between the Eagles cage for the 3rd consecutive game. He went the distance and stopped 38 of the 44 shots he faced.
Final shots on goal were 44-20 for Okotoks.
The Eagles have another busy week coming up with 3 games in 4 nights, starting on Tuesday night when they visit the Olds Grizzlys (2-1). The Eagles will then head to Camrose for the annual AJHL Showcase weekend with games against the Grande Prarie Storm on Thursday and the Drayton Valley Thunder on Friday.
EAGLES FUN FACTS:
– The Eagles players who did not dress up in both games this weekend were Forward Finn Withey and rookies Lane Paddison and Tayler Miller. Paddison and Miller could be back in the lineup on Tuesday night in Olds, while Withey is working to get back in the lineup in a couple of weeks.
– The Eagles next home game is in Banff on Friday, October 4 vs the Sherwood Park Crusaders for Banff Pride week. Tickets are on sale now!