Slip-up in Oil town

The Canmore Eagles tenuous hold on first place in the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s South Division underwent a slippery test on the weekend.

Fort McMurray completed a four-game, season-series sweep of Canmore with home ice wins of 7-3 on Saturday (Feb. 7) and a 4-3 shootout victory on Sunday (Feb. 8).

The single point Canmore (24-17-1-1) picked up for the overtime loss put the team in a tie with the Camrose Kodiaks (24-17-2-0) at 50 points but the Eagles have more regulation-time victories 24 to 18 this season. Camrose started the weekend three points back of Canmore but posted two wins over the Bonnyville Pontiacs.

Sunday’s shootout was just the second time this season that Canmore has played an overtime, and it was just the first shootout contest. The Eagles have lost both extra-time games. Camrose has played eight extra-time games, with six of their victories coming in overtime (3) or the shootout (3).

Aidan Tkachuk saw his 14-game points streak come to an end as he failed to register a point in either weekend game to remain on 55 points (22G-33A). Eagles’ leading scorer Cohen Daoust was also held off the scoresheet and is stuck on 59 points (24G-35A).

John Szabo has taken his game to another level since being named the Eagles’ captain – replacing injured Casey Black – with goals in three consecutive games and points in five successive games (3G-4A). The ex-WHL’er now has 33 scoring points (16G-17A).

Ryder Dembo also scored a goal in each game against the Fort McMurray and now has nine points (5G-4A) since joining Canmore on Jan. 23 out of the BCHL.

Head Coach Andrew Milne did not travel with the team while unavailable were Carter Kowalyk (hip), D Reid Larson (hand) and F Gus Schill (leg).

The Eagles get a chance to right the ship at the Canmore Recreation Centre with three games this week: Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m., versus the Calgary Canucks; Saturday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m., against the Bonnyville Pontiacs; and Sunday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m., hosting the Lloydminster Bobcats.

The Oil Barons took a 2-0 lead in the opening 3:35 on goals by Leo Adams (12) and Justin Dumais (24).

Canmore’s replies came from Szabo (15) at 6:22 and Dembo (4), with a breakaway goal, at 15:37.

In the second period, Drew Freer (16) and Cade Petersen (11) gave the Oil Barons a 4-2 lead by 5:26. The home side never looked back.

In the third period it became a rout with three goals in a 1:17 span. Freer (17) scored his second of the game at 8:18 and was followed by former-Eagle Stefan Serediak (17) and Carter Ellsworth (4).

Connor Watson (3) would take a long, high shot that would sail just under the cross bar for the final goal of the game at 18:48.

Fort McMurray outshot Canmore 32-28 with Hudson Sedo (8-7/3.01/.911) in goal for the Eagles and Brendan Gee in goal for the Oil Barons.

Neither team was effective on the power play in a game that featured 92 penalty minutes, with Canmore having six opportunities and Fort McMurray four chances.

While Canmore was losing, Camrose was defeating Bonnyville 2-1 and along with a 3-1 victory on Friday, took over the overnight lead in the South Division.

Canmore took the lead on three occasions but would fall to Fort McMurray in a game-deciding shootout.

Will Lutic and Dembo combined for a goal and an assist each in the first period as Canmore took a 2-1 lead.

Lutic scored 53 seconds after the opening puck drop. Dumais (25) tied the game midway through the period.  Dembo then gave the Eagles the lead again at 14:46.

The lone second period goal came from Jayden Lazare, who scored his first goal as a member of the Oil Barons. The Quebec-born defenceman made the move from the QMJHL’s Newfoundland Regiment, where he played 24 games this season.

Szabo (16) wired a shot from the left wing, face-off dot that would demolish a water bottle 23 seconds into the third period to give Canmore its third lead of the contest.

And for the third time, the Oil Barons would rally to tie the game. Ryan Arnold (27) would end a five-game scoring drought at 11:56 of the third period when he pounced on a loose puck in front of the Eagles’ goal and with an uncontested shot, whipped it into the goal.

After a five-minute, three-on-three overtime failed to settle matters, the two teams would go to a shootout. Dumais scored on the Oil Barons’ second shot while the Eagles failed to score on any their three shots.

Fort McMurray outshot Canmore 33-32 with Alex Scheiwiller (16-12/2.93/.919) in goal for the Eagles and Gee (14-9/3.00/.914) back between the pipes for the Oil Barons.

There were just five minor penalties in the contest, with the lone power play coming to Canmore with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime.

OVERTIME: The Canmore Eagles are always in need of volunteers to help with game day experiences whether you are new to the game or an avid hockey supporter, email info@canmoreeagles.com for more information on opportunities and perks that come with being part of the Game Day Crew. … Can’t get to a game in person, you can follow the Canmore Eagles at home or on the road with a Flohockey account. Go to flohockey.tv.