The Bulldogs defeated the Okotoks Oilers in their 5th and final preseason game of 2024 winning the game 2-1 and finishing the preseason 2-3.
Shots in the first period were 10-8 for the Bulldogs.
Brendan Gourley netted the opening goal of the game on the Power Play at 8:21 of the 2nd period. The assists on the goal went to Alexander Dimitriadis and North Vancouver native Shane Purves.
Shots in the second period of play were 14-8 for the Bulldogs
Wolf Giles got the go ahead goal for the Bulldogs, his third of the preseason when he came out from the corner and roofed it upstairs at 4:54 of the third period. The assist on the goal went to Trent LeDrew.
Kade Duell got the Oilers within one at 8:17 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Joseph Meredith and Huntington, New York native Luke Calabria, who is committed to Colgate.
Shots in the third frame were 9-8 for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs outshot the Oilers 33-24 in the game.
Newcomer Waylon Esche from Utica, New York made 23 saves on the 24 shots that he faced for the win in his debut for the Bulldogs. For the Oilers Olivier Ciarllo made 31 saves on the 33 shots that he faced. Waylon Esche, if the name didn’t already give you a hint is the son of former NHL goalie Robert Esche. Esche played amazing, which also makes some wonder as both goalies that were already with the Bulldogs are very good also.
Jacob Ficenic also played in his first game last night. Ficenic is from Germany. Both the other European imports that the Bulldogs brought in are no longer on the teams website. Also noticed the Drumheller Dragons painted car outside the Eagle Builders Center last night.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Waylon Esche 2) Wolf Giles 3) Olivier Ciarllo
Attendance in Blackfalds was 166
Bulldogs next game is at home and is the Season Opener against the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
