Oilers couldn't solve Hicks and the Bandits in game three

The Okotoks Oilers got blanked by Bandits goaltender Johnny Hicks again in game three tonight (April 23) at Centennial Arena, falling 5-0 in the contest and are now behind 2-1 in the best-of-seven second round BCHL Alberta Division playoffs.

The game saw the Bandits score with just over two-minutes left in the first, Christian Green, Oilers goaltender had no chance on the goal as it was tipped just before getting to the net and the puck bounced its way in. Oilers would outshoot the Bandits in the first 13-7 but couldn't get one passed Hicks.

The game would stay 1-0 until Bandits got an insurance goal with less than six minutes remaining in the second period. Brooks would get more shots on goal with 11-9 in the second frame.

In the third, Nathan Free would get his third goal in the series with a rocket shot finding the back of the net and putting the game out of reach for the Oilers with 12 minutes left in the game. Bandits would score two more times after Free's goal to solidify the win 5-0 against the Green and Gold.

Okotoks can put the game in their rear-view mirror as they hit the ice again tomorrow (April 24) for game four less than 24 hours after finishing game three.

With the loss, Hicks got his second shutout of the series. Last time Hicks blanked the Oilers, the Green and Gold were able to solve Hicks five times in the next game. Okotoks will look to duplicate what they did in game two and try to tie the series back up when they host Brooks at Centennial Arena.

The winner of the series will play either the winner of the Blackfalds Bulldogs and Sherwood Park Crusaders second round series. Crusaders won 10-2 tonight (April 23) claiming a 3-0 series lead.

Puck drops at 7:00 pm tomorrow (April 24).

You can listen to the game on the Eagle 100.9 or stream the game through Okotoks Online, pre-game show starts at 6:45.