After a 2-0 loss Friday night, the Sherwood Park Crusaders will be quick to move forward as they prepare for the Okotoks Oilers Sunday afternoon at the Sherwood Park Arena.
And that just might be the best thing for the Cru.
In a game where they were out shot 34 to 19, the Crusaders could not generate anything towards Saints goaltender Kenny Cameron. Goaltender Tommy Nixon was the best Crusader Friday night.
“We didn’t play with much desire last night. I did think Nixon kept us in it in the 1st but 2nd & 3rd periods were evenly played but we couldn’t create many offensive chances.” Said Head Coach and GM Tim Fragle.
It had looked as if the Crusaders would get out of the 1st period unscathed, but a goal with 10 seconds left from Tyler Robertson gave the Saint’s all they needed.
There was the feeling that if the Crusaders could get one past Cameron, it would get the ball rolling. But as Fragle mentioned, offensive chances were hard to come by.
The Saints added a late a goal in the 3rd to seal the victory and give the Saints their 7th in a row.
The Oilers will come into Sunday’s game having played 2 games in consecutive days, but that won’t mean the Cru can take them lightly.
Sitting in 2nd place in the South Division heading into Saturday’s action, the Oilers are led offensively by a trio of vets in Spencer Kryczka, Tariq Hammond and Connor Hartley. All with 10 points.
“Oilers are one of the best teams in our league. We need to be ready for a tough test.” Fragle said of his Sunday opponents.
The Oilers visit will mark the only chance for Crusader fans to see Forward Rhett Gardner this season at the Sherwood Park Arena. Gardner, the North Dakota commit, is ranked as a ‘C’ skater on the NHL Central Scouting’s Ones To Watch List for the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
For tickets call the Crusaders Office at 780-417-1175 or head on down to the Sherwood Park Arena Sunday afternoon and grab a seat for the 2:15pm start.