The Cranbrook Bucks split their weekend action with the Okotooks Oilers, outlasting their opponents 3-2 at Western Financial Place, betfore dropping an 8-5 shootout in Alberta the following evening.
Despite grabbing an early lead 3-0 lead after the first period, The Herd fell 8-5 after the Oilers evened the score in the middle frame and pulled ahead in the final period on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Jordan Murray and Maddex Marmulak tallied even strength goals, while Jacob Fletcher added a powerplay marker to end the first frame. However, Jacob Goudreau, Coy Pighin and Jamie Hikida all returned fire for the OIlers to knot the affair up at 3-3 after 40 minutes.
Spencer Rheaume pulled the Oilers ahead early in the third period, but Nathan Simm answered back for the Bucks just over two minutes later.
Myles Gauld and Brayden Duy scored back-to-back goals to give Okotoks the lead, as the last five minutes of the game turned into a goal-scoring frenzy. Rasmus Svartström cut that down to a one-goal deficit, but Hunter Sawka restored the two-goal lead for the Oilers with three minutes to go.
Jackson Rowland scored the empty net goal with 36 seconds left in the game, to lift the Oilers to the 8-5 win.
Bucks netminder Miles Roberts made 30 saves, while The Herd put 28 shots on Oilers goaltender Oliver Ciarlo.
Okotoks scored twice in 10 powerplay opportunities, while the Bucks scored once in five chances with the man-advantage.
Earlier on Friday, Sept. 27, the Bucks overcame an early deficit to win 3-2 over the visitors.
Jacob Goudreau and Brett Wilson scored early for the Oilers, before Matthew Gilmore responded for the Bucks to end the first frame at a 2-1 deficit.
Blake Cotton scored the second period's only goal, while Rasmus Svartström tallied the game-winner midway through the third period.
Bucks goaltender Jaden Cholette made 40 saves for the win, while Oliver Ciarlo made 31 saves in defeat.
Both teams were scoreless on the man-advantage; the Bucks had two powerplay opportunities, while the Oilers had three.
The Bucks currently sit in third place in the Interior Conference, and second place in the Interior East Division.
The Bucks will face off against the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 4, at Western Financial Place.
