BROOKS, AB (November 21, 2017) – The Okotoks Oilers (21-2-1) scored the first three goals of the game and never looked back, withstanding two comeback attempts by the host Brooks Bandits (16-9-1) on Tuesday night en route to their fifth straight win over their divisional rivals, 6-3 at the Centennial Regional Arena.
Blake Wells paced the visitors with two goals, while Nathan Plessis (Salmon Arm, B.C.) had a goal and an assist for Brooks. The win gives the Oilers a ten-point lead on Brooks for the South division lead, with two games in hand that could extend that lead to 14 points.
Jacob Bernard-Docker opened the scoring in the final minute of the first period on a snap wrister from the right circle to give Okotoks the early lead. 9:08 into the second, Tanner Laderoute doubled that lead on the power play after spinning at the left side of the net and potting a puck five-hole on Mitch Benson (Windsor, ON) to double the lead. At 13:05, Wells gave the Oilers a 3-0 lead on a wrist shot from the left circle.
The Bandits made it interesting late, scoring twice in the span of less than two minutes; the first a Plessis shot from the slot on an odd-man rush with 5 minutes left, and the second an Ocean Wiesblatt (Calgary, AB) backhander from the right side of the net at the 16:57 mark to make it a one-goal game after 2 periods.
The Oilers seized control in the third, however, as Wells got his second of the game on a backdoor tap in at 5:41, and Dylan Holloway scored on a breakaway backhander at 9:28 to make it 5-2. Brandon Scanlin (Hamilton, ON) blasted home a power play goal at 18:01 to get the Bandits within two, but Dennis Cesana (Providence, RI) rang the post with a chance with just over a minute left from the slot, and Ryan Roberts scored on a power play point shot with 4 seconds left to notch the 6-3 final score.
The Oilers outshot the Bandits 31-30, going 2 for 5 on their power play while the Bandits were 1 for 8.
Brooks continues its three game home stand this weekend, beginning with a Friday night matchup with the Calgary Canucks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM for 80s Night at the CRA, presented by the Brooks Hotel. Tickets are available online at tickets.brooksbandits.ca.