December 8, 2015

Oilers down Crosby to open league play

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

The Watford City Junior Gold hockey team opened its league season this past Friday knocking off the Crosby Comets, 3-2, in an exciting overtime win.
In a closely-played game, the Oilers trailed Crosby, 1-0, after the first period recording only five shots on goal, while Oiler goalie Kallen Bruington turned back six of seven shots thrown his way.
Crosby would add to their lead midway through the second period stanza on a flurry in front of the Oilers net beating Bruington off a rebound.
But rightwinger Adrian Castaneda would spark the Oilers’ offense as he  streaked down the right side of the ice with 20 seconds remaining in the period, and blasted a slapshot over the shoulder of Crosby’s netminder to pull the Oilers within one on a Brett Skarda assist.
And then with 51 seconds gone from the clock in the the third period, the Oilers would deadlock the game, 2-2, as Derrike Hayden blasted a shot past the Comets netminder on a Jackson Voll assist.
While both teams had chances to score in the final minutes of regulation, strong goal-tending kept the game deadlocked at 2-2.
In overtime, Skarda and Castaneda set up Hayden for the game-winning goal.
Bruington turned aside 31 Crosby shots in a strong outing and picked up his first league win of the season.
The Oilers will travel to Minot on Friday and Saturday to take on the Minot Wolves in league action and play a non-conference game against the Minot High JV on Saturday.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER