Submitted by Brent Forster, Big Valley Oil Kings
The Macklin Mohawks paid a visit to the Big Valley Agriplex on Saturday evening and defeated the hometown Oil Kings in a shootout.
For the third straight game, the Oil Kings outshot their opponent. They have played strong team defence and Stettler native Chance Clark continues to be solid between the pipes.
Big Valley outshot Macklin 30-27, and Clark stopped 25 shots during regulation time and the five-minute overtime period.
Former Stettler Legion Blues midget AA coach Scott Schell has taken over the head-coaching duties behind the Oil Kings’ bench for the 2012-13 season. Schell, who is from Big Valley, led the Blues to a strong showing in the midget AA ranks last season in the North Central Minor Hockey Association.
Working with the Oil Kings’ assistant coach, Ryan Pietrucki, and general manager Dustin Edwards, the team’s commitment to defence is already evident on the ice.
Big Valley forward Mitch Finkbiner, a 2012 graduate of the junior B Stettler Lightning, opened the scoring on the power play four minutes 27 seconds into the game.
The Mohawks’ Kelsey Muench tied the score with an even-strength goal less than five minutes later.
Muench is second in the entire league in scoring, with eight goals in just five games.
With just more than eight minutes remaining in the first period, Big Valley went ahead 2-1 on a goal from former University of Lethbridge defenceman Andrew Gilbert.
Six minutes into the third period, Macklin’s Cody Rowein tied the game again, and the ensuing overtime period decided nothing.
In the shootout, Muench was the only player who found the back of the net. Mohawks goalie Jimmy Peterson was sharp as he stopped all Oil Kings’ shootout attempts.
With three points after three games, Big Valley hosts the Hardisty Stampeders (2-4) this Friday at the Agriplex. The puck drops at 8:30 p.m.
The Oil Kings hit the road for a Saturday night clash against the Sedgewick Sabres (1-3).