(File photo)
The Drayton Valley Thunder could be moving to round three of the AJHL playoffs, thanks to a 4-3 victory over the Fort McMurray Oil Barons Wednesday night.
The Thunder were first out of the gate, as Kadyn Chabot scored at 3:52 of the first period. Assists went to Jack Silverberg and Ethan Browne. The Oil Barons responded at 6:45, however, as Tristan Kimmen scored on the power play. Rider McCallum and Lucas Jones picked up the assists. But the Thunder reclaimed their lead at 18:01. Daniel Kernaghan scored on the power play, with assists from Brody Tallman and Brett Bamber. The first ended with the Thunder in a 2-1 lead.
The Thunder increased their lead early in the second when Drew Sutton scored on the power play at 4:30, thanks to assists from Moe Hakim and Noah Lamb. The Oil Barons kept creeping up on the Thunder though, as Brendan Wang scored at 7:23. Wang got the assist from Aidyn Hutchinson. At the end of the second, the Thunder maintained a 3-2 lead.
The Thunder kept increasing their lead in the third. Moe Hakim scored unassisted at 5:53 to make it 4-2, but the Oil Barons managed to slip one more into the net before the buzzer sounded. Brendan Wang scored at 16:22, with Aidyn Hutchinson and Jesse Burchart getting the assists. Final score was 4-3 for the Thunder.
Despite the Thunder’s victory, it was the Oil Barons who came on stronger, outshooting Drayton Valley 54 – 34. The Thunder had the better power play though, going 2 for 4, while the Oil Barons went 1 for 3.
The Thunder now lead the series 3-1, and have a chance to go to round three. Action returns to Fort McMurray March 26 for Game 5.
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