The Canucks were hoping to redeem themselves after a tough loss to the Kodiaks in Calgary on Sunday. Unable to get on the board first as Matt McNair, Okotoks Oilers gets one past Logan Drackett five minutes and sixteen seconds into the game. Canucks picked up a scoring opportunity as they get on the powerplay six minutes into the first. Halfway through the first, both teams are bringing a fast-paced game with the Canucks eager to get on the board, but unable to make it past the Oilers defence. Drackett’s helmet comes off and Joe Karpyshyn heads to the box for goalie interference. The Canucks then capitalize on the powerplay as San Chung ties the game 1-1 thirteen minutes into the first. Cale Chalifoux took a crosschecking penalty late in the first and seconds after he came out the Oilers made this a 2-1 game. Shots favour the Oilers 14-5 as we prepare for the second period.
To start the second there was a little issue with the score clock, but it looks like an Oilers goal is all it needed to light up again. 33 seconds in and Cooper Page walks in making it a 3-1 game. Both teams throwing their weight around as tension builds on the ice. McNair comes in with a dangerous deke, but Drackett stands tall four and a half minutes into the second. A shot off the post, but the hopeful Oilers stay at three. Let’s see what the Canucks can do on the powerplay as Tanner Schachle heads to the box for slashing. Drackett shuts down McNair as he attempts a shorthanded, breakaway goal halfway through the second. McNeill takes an obvious cross checking penalty eleven minutes and twenty-seven seconds into the second- Canucks on the penalty kill. McNair almost gets another breakway opportunity, but he’s taken down by two Calgary defencemen. Tyler Benko heads into Oilers territory for a breakaway, but gets the puck taken away from him just before the net. McNeill walks in, backhand shot, denied by Morris. Okotoks draws a penalty for hooking and another Okotoks man heading to the box for a delay of game call and we head to a five on three game. Fifteen seconds left and we return to five on four. Canucks unable to get the puck past Morris with their two man advantage, they’ll have a full minute on the powerplay when they come back to the third.
Nine seconds in and the Canucks snipe a face off in Okotoks territory. McNeill takes a big hit, but is able to skate it off. Canucks hoping for an offensive rush, but take an offside call and head to the Okotoks blue line for a face off. Kyler Magus loses his bucket and his stick, Okotoks rushes into the Canucks zone, but Drackett stands up to the pressure. After a couple offside calls and slams against the board, Connor Chambers strengthens the Okotoks lead 4-1, seven minutes and fifteen seconds into the third. Canucks get on the penalty kill as Ryan McKinnon takes two for roughing. Halfway through the third, MacPherson stops a shot with his jaw and heads to the dressing room. Okotoks dominating shots on goal 33-10. Chambers tries a deke, but he’s denied by Greydon Robinson- six minutes left in the third. Almost five minutes left and McKinnon and Danton Davis drop their gloves at center ice and rile up both benches. Davis will take the majority of the penalties with a 2min instigating, 5min fighting and 10min misconduct. Mckinnon leaves with a 4min roughing, 10min misconduct and the Canucks will end the period on a powerplay. Canucks looking to build any momentum they can with one minute left of play in the third. One-timer by Chandler Irvin, denied by Morris. Tough loss for the Canucks as they’re still looking for a win at home with a 2-6-1 record
