The Sherwood Park Crusaders continue their rollercoaster of a season, after defeating the Drayton Valley Thunder, by heading into Fort McMurray and losing a pair of games to the Oil Barons.
Friday’s matchup was close. Marek Pocherewny looked solid in his first start in six games, and Jaron Desnoyers netted his third goal of the season to open the scoring late in the first period. After trading goals in the second, the Crusaders’ second goal coming courtesy of Caelum Dick, Sherwood Park allowed three unanswered goals in the final frame, including one empty netter to give the Oil Barons a 5-2 win.
Saturday was a different story. After a scoreless first period, backstopped by Gus Bylin, Fort McMurray erupted for four goals in the second. Ashton McNelly got the Cru on the board a couple minutes into the third; but a penalty by Colby Garner sent the Oil Barons to a five minute powerplay, in which they score three times in 1:34 en route to a 7-1 decision.
The Crusaders are on the road to open the month, as they take on the Spruce Grove Saints on November 3rd, then back home on the 5th against the Grande Prairie Storm.