Ooks Grounded By Thunder-Storms
EDMONTON, ALTA. – The NAIT Ooks fell to the Concordia Thunder 3-2, as Garrett Storms made 50 saves for the Thunder on Saturday night.
The NAIT Ooks controlled play for the majority of the first period until Adam Wheeldon scored 13:05 into the period giving the Thunder a 1-0 lead. Charlie Gawlicki then beat Brendan Jensen on a short side shot at the 18:41 mark to give the Thunder a 2-0 lead through twenty minutes, while the Ooks outshot the Thunder 12-5 in the period.
NAIT continued to dominate the play in the second period. It wasn't until Connor Vermeulen beat Garrett Storms on a feed from Devon McAndrews with 5:50 remaining in the period that the Ooks got on the board.
NAIT continued to hold the Thunder on their heels. However, they were unable to capitalize. It was the Thunder who would get the next goal after a shot bounced off of the glass and off of Brendan Jensen's back to give the Thunder a two-goal lead with 3:42 to play. Tyler Robertson would add one goal for the Ooks, cutting the Concordia lead to one, however that would be it. The Concordia Thunder defeated the NAIT Ooks 3-2, shots 52-15 in favour of the Ooks.
"We didn't play last night, we were sleepwalking for the first period tonight, so we got what we deserved. Our group needs to wake up and play a better team game," said NAIT head coach, Tim Fragle.
Players of the Game
NAIT Ooks – Connor Vermeulen
Concordia Thunder – Garrett Storms
The Big Picture
With tonight's loss, the Ooks fall to 16-6 and remain in first atop the ACAC standings. The Concordia Thunder improve to 5-16-1 and remain in sixth.
What's Next?
The NAIT Ooks will now play host to the Portage Voyageurs Feb.8th at 7:00 pm, while the Concordia will head over to the Downtown Community Arena to take on the MacEwan Griffins.