Okotoks’ largest crowd since moving to the BCHL went home happy on Friday.
Sam Huck scored the overtime winner as the Okotoks Oilers completed their second straight third period comeback victory, this time downing the Blackfalds Bulldogs 4-3 in front of 1,292 supporters at Okotoks Centennial Arena on March 1.
“Any time you’re down and come back is positive, said Oilers assistant coach Reid Hnatowich, on the Oilers’ postgame show. “And what a good group effort from our D, managing having low numbers, forwards being tenacious and aggressive and our goaltending.”
With just five defencemen in the lineup, the Oilers rallied from a pair of one-goal deficits to get past the high-octane Bulldogs.
Connor Gourley scored the equalizer early in the final frame with Jack Silverberg adding the other two markers.
“(Silverberg) has been way more aggressive in terms of his net front presence,” Hnatowich said. “If you look at his goals tonight, it’s him getting to good areas and getting things that are coming off those.
“It’s him being in the middle of the ice, when he’s there he’s super skilled, he has good vision.”
Mikael Kingo made 23 saves for his third win in the BCHL.
https://twitter.com/OkotoksOilers/status/1763841735019368646
Hnatowich said the team’s improved play over the past three games has been down to adjusting to the pace of play in the five-team BCHL division.
“We’re playing different rosters than what we were Jan. 10 of the (AJHL) season,” he said. “Adapting to that is a big one and understanding what our strengths are as a team and just overall commitment to being desperate especially with regards to our defensive play. Things used to happen and transpire that we could get away with and can’t get away with now.”
Okotoks will look to make it three straight Saturday night in Brooks versus the Bandits.
The Oilers and Bandits then meet again on March 8, Okotoks’ next home date.
Division 1 commitment
The youngest member of the Oilers has secured his collegiate home.
Brennen Hocher, a 2007-born defenceman who went from affiliate player to full time member of the squad early in the season, committed to the NCAA Division 1 University of Nebraska Mavericks, the team announced this week.
“Brennen gave our team some much-needed security when he joined our roster full time earlier this year, and he’s blossomed into a solid contributor at the junior level ever since,” said Oilers head coach and GM Tyler Deis, in a team release.
“His dedication, coachability, and positive personality have fit in extremely well with our group, and he’s continued to demonstrate the high potential he has both with us and at the college level. We couldn’t be happier for Brennen and his family on the commitment to UNO.”
Hocher, an Edge School alumnus from Calgary, said he was impressed with UNO’s strong interest and a trip down to Nebraska crystalized his decision.
“I got a good trip out just love the place and I feel like my heart is there,” said Hocher, on the postgame show. “I love the coaches, love the facilities so I think that’s the place for me.”
Hocher is the 12th Oiler on the 2023-24 roster with a NCAA Division 1 commitment joining Sam Hall (St. Lawrence), Hunter Sawka (Western Michigan), Sam Huck (Western Michigan) Jack Silverberg (Dartmouth), Dean Spak (Alaska Fairbance), Brody Maguire (RPI), Jagger Tapper (RPI), Kade Turner (Ferris State), Rylan Brown (Michigan Tech), Nick Wolfenberg (Cornell) and Connor Gourley (Arizona State).
