Oilers can't get past Crusaders

The Okotoks Oilers couldn't get past the Crusaders in Sherwood Park Friday night (March 29) during their BCHL matchup, losing 8-4.

The Crusaders would take an early 1-0 lead just one minute and six seconds into the game and then find a way to score again with less than a minute left in the first period to take a 2-0 lead headed into the second frame, even with the Oilers outshooting Sherwood Park 10-8.

The second period was more of the same with Ryan Zaremba scoring early in the second period just like he did in the first, getting his second goal of the game for the Crusaders only 2:09 into the frame. Jagger Tapper would get the Oilers on the board just three minutes after. The Crusaders wouldn't let up and scored again giving them a 4-1 lead with under five minutes left in the second.

The Green and Gold would solve Erick Roest, Sherwood Park's goalie in the third, with Sam Huck scoring just 33 seconds in. Zaremba would then answer the goal 4:02 into the period to extend the lead to 5-2 and completing his hat trick. 

Dean Spak would get on the board shortly after, followed by another goal from Oilers Brett Huxley, giving them life and bringing them within one goal of tying the game.

Crusaders didn't give up, getting the two-goal lead back less than 30 seconds after Huxley made it a one goal game. Sherwood Park would then get two empty net goals to end the game at a 8-4 loss for the Oilers.

The Green and Gold will be back in action on Sunday (March 31) with an early start time of 5:30 pm at Centennial Arena.