A three-goal second period propelled the Fort McMurray Oil Barons to a 6-3 win over the Canmore Eagles in Alberta Junior Hockey League action Friday night.
The first game of the three-game road trip for the Eagles saw their perfect start to the season end before 1,074 fans in Fort McMurray.
“Our first two periods were not good at all. We decided to play in the third period,” said Jeremy Reich, assistant GM and assistant coach, who added there seemed to be a lack of respect for the level of hockey in which the players are now competing.
“Evan (McFeeters, assistant coach) and I were not happy with the way we played at all. If this continues we will address it … but I don’t anticipate it happening again.”
Head coach Andrew Milne was not on the bench on Friday night.
The hometown team got scoring from five different players and held period leads of 2-1 and 5-1.
Jack Hamly, acquired in the offseason from the Spruce Grove Saints, and Brett Edwards scored in the first period for the Oil Barons.
In the second period, Matteo Aiello, playing for his third AJHL team in as many seasons, Jarred White, a 17-year-old rookie, and Hayden Ursula scored for the home team.
Tanner Miller added a short-handed, empty net goal in the final minute to complete the scoring for Fort McMurray.
For Canmore, who started the season with two wins on home ice last weekend, it was Braden Saretsky scoring the team’s first goal for the third successive game. His first-period, power-play goal tied the game at 1-1.
Two defencemen rounded out the Eagles’ scoring with Brett Stewart and Adam Tisdale turning on the red light less than two minutes apart midway through the third period.
Fort McMurray outshot Canmore 28-26 with Forbes Ploszaj in goal for the Oil Barons and Ryan Bontorin between the pipes for the Eagles.
Fort McMurray was 1-for-2 on the power play with Canmore 1-for-6.
The Eagles now head to Spruce Grove to take on the Saints (3-1-0) on Saturday night (7 p.m.). the Saints defeated the Lloydminster Bobcats 5-1 on Friday night.
Canmore’s road trip finishes up Sunday (2:15 p.m.) in Sherwood Park versus the Crusaders.
rullyot@postmedia.com
For more from Russ at the Crag and Canyon http://www.thecragandcanyon.ca/2016/09/24/eagles-tripped-up-by-oil-barons