The Okotoks Oilers kick off a busy weekend in AJHL action with a trio of games on tap against teams chasing them in the South Division.

The Oilers open up action Friday night at home against a Canmore Eagles squad that's had a tough in the second half of the season with 3-11-1 record.

Forward Trey deGraaf says despite the Eagles misfortunes they can't take them for granted.

"They're still a pretty offensively skilled team," he says. "They got some good forwards that can score so we just has to play our game. We're not the kind of team that's gonna win games by scoring six or seven goals normal see we have to keep it defensive and try to shut down their offence."

After Friday's tangle with Canmore it's a home at home series with the Drumheller with chance to create more separation between them and the Dragons.

deGraaf says with just five games left after the weekend is over it's important to nail down 3rd place.

"It's a big weekend for us so we can't afford to lose any of these game so if we can grab all three of them it will be big for us going forward.

The big question marks going into the weekend is who's in and who's out with the injury bug hitting the Oilers hard right now deGraaf says it's been a challenge to get into a steady rhythm.

"We're missing key guys for sure but we still have the same goal in mind that we're going to win these games this weekend and we're not going to change our game and I think if everybody plays the way they can in their role then things will go well.

Currently out of the line-up is defencemen Reece Soukoroff and Riley Mathies along with veteran forwards Nolan Thompson and Jordie Lawson, rookie Cooper Page is also on the shelf but there is some good news as Carson Beers skated with the team this week and could be in the Oilers line-up this weekend.

Game time Friday night is 7 p.m. at Pason Centennial Arena.

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