OLDS, AB (January 24, 2023) — The Okotoks Oilers clinched a spot in the AJHL playoffs for the 17th consecutive year, scoring two shorthanded goals in a 5-2 win over the Olds Grizzlys on Tuesday night.

Conyr Hellyer (Okotoks, AB) led the way with two goals, while Parker Sawka (Cochrane, AB) stopped 20 of 22 shots for his and the team’s second consecutive win.

Sam Huck (Calgary, AB) extended his goal scoring streak to four games with the opener, taking the puck in front of the Olds net and dragging the puck around goaltender Noah Nelson and shooting it into an open net for a 1-0 lead at 6:19.

Olds equalized with a centering pass from Connor Michaud that deflected off a skate and in, but Okotoks pulled away with two consecutive shorthanded goals. The first saw Hellyer score on a rebound of a Brett Huxley (Calgary, AB) shot at 16:02, and the second was Huxley scoring from the slot on a setup by Hellyer.

Kade Turner (Calgary, AB) had his shot from the half boards tipped in by Hellyer at 8:08 of the second to make it 4-1.

Olds pulled closer in the third on a Jayden Watson goal at 2:05, but Dean Spak (Calgary, AB) scored on a breakaway at the 8:27 mark to notch the 5-2 final score.

The Oilers outshot Olds 40-22 in the game, going 0 for 2 on the power play but a perfect 5 for 5 on the penalty kill with the two shorthanded goals, giving the team a league-leading 12 on the year.

Okotoks will return home Friday night to host the Bonnyville Pontiacs at 7 PM.

 

*Story and photo supplied from the Okotoks Oilers