North Sutter Cup Champions
Heading into the weekend as 8th seed in the standings, the Oil Kings had their game plan in place to take on the higher ranked teams
Game 1 VS. Red Deer (5th Seed)
In a tournament like this it is critical that you start with a win and that was the mindset going in.
Took a 2-0 lead with Liam Gorman and Parker Garries scoring and Red Deer battled back to tie the game.
Scored again by Isaih Hawkes and Red Deer equalized again tieing the Game 3-3
Josh Gagnon scored to take the lead and game clinched by an empty net by Luke Rothfos
Superb defensive play by all players and a solid Game by Goaltender Mason Gatz
Game Star- Liam Gorman ( 1 goal & 2 Assists)
Game 1 VS Ft. Saskatchewan (2nd Seed)
Knowing that this was our toughest game of the round robin, all players were focused on their assignments
Had a 2-0 lead going into the 3rd and scoring by Brandon Tronchin.
Ft. battled back to tie the game and that was the end result.
Superb defensive play by all players and a solid Game by Goaltender Mason Gatz
Game Star - Brandon Tronchin (2 goals)
Game 3 VS MLAC (11th Seed)
Knowing that this was our easiest game of the tourney, our game plan did not change.
Coming out like we were playing a top contender, the Oil Kings came out scoring in Bunches and won 11-3
Superb defensive & offensive play by all players and a solid Game by Goaltender Matthew Pieschke
Goals scored by Liam Gorman (3), Josh Gagnon (4), Tristan Magis (1), Brandon Tronchin (1), Chase Rombough (2)
Game Star - Josh Gagnon (4 goals & 1 assist)
This win clinched us a playoff semi final spot
Game 4 VS Lloydminister (3rd Seed) - Semi-final
Oil Kings focussed on hos game knowing they win, they’re going to the final and clinching a spot in the Provincial Tournament.
Taking a 1-0 lead into the third and scored by Tristan Magis.
Lloyd tied the game in the 3rd and Oil Kings responded right away with a power play goal by Warren Roberts-Lee
Superb defensive play by all players and a solid Game by Goaltender Mason Gatz
No Game star named into the finals
Game 5 VS SSAC (1st Seed) - Final
Never beating SSAC, the Oil Kings never faltered from their game plan they had set in place for the weekend.
Shutting down the highest scoring team in the tourney for 2 periods and taking a 2-0 lead into the 3rd. Scoring by Liam Gorman & Ryder Matter
Brandan Tronchin scored in the 3rd and the team was still wanting more.
As SSAC threw everything they had at the Oil Kings, Mason Gatz shut the door and the Oil Kings won the North Sutter Cup
There are so many special moments and plays that should be mentioned but not enough Ink to share. Here are few as this was a true team effort and all should be mentioned other than just goal scoring.
The defense was solid for Penalty kill, power play and 5on5 - Jack Moore, Liam Hunks, Ryder Patten, Isaih Hawkes, Parker Garries & Captain Riley Jacob
Defensive forward specialists and Penalty Killers - Josh David, Luke Rothfos, Kaleb Cathrea, Chase Rombough & Ryder Matter
Offensive and power play units - Liam Gorman, Brandon Tronchin, Josh Gagnon, Warren Roberts-Lee, Ryder Matter and Tristan Magis
Playing Goal is a very hard position and even harder for the coaching Staff to decide on for the Playoffs. Mason Gatz played 4 of the 5 games and played excellent. Mathew Pieschke play in 1 game and played excellent as well. The one thing that cannot be taught by anyone is how to be a Genuine caring Team Mate. Mathew Pieschke went over and above to support his fellow goalie and his teammates to encourage form start to finish of this gruelling 4 day tournament.
Forward Cameron Villetard who had a season ending injury in January, did not miss a game or an opportunity to support his team throughout the weekend in the stands.
Goaltender Carson Cairns who helped the Oil Kings for half of the season as an Affiliate player and was around the team the whole Tourney cheering the boys on.
Head Coach Rod Ohlhauser did an exceptional job of firing the boys up in the dressing room to calming any situation down that was starting to become negative or going in the wrong direction.
The game plan was never changed other than minor details and was executed by both players and coaches.
A source says that even the coaching staff helped each other calm down to reset as we all know that this game is played with high intensity and adrenalin.
Whether the boys were lacing up the skates or in the stands, this was a true team effort from top to bottom.
