Okotoks team to beat in AJHL playoffs

It started sometime in late December.

The Okotoks Oilers were slowly pulling away from the rest of the pack in the AJHL en route to a league best 106 points and a 52-6-2 record.

Suddenly, every team they played seemed to try a little harder, giving the Okotoks crew their very best.

With the Oilers’ playoff campaign set to kick off Friday night against the Camrose Kodiaks (Pason Centennial Arena, 7 p.m.), head coach Tyler Deis believes the target his team has had on its back since mid-season could work in its favour.

“I think it was probably right before Christmas and our record

We knew we were getting the best from every team we played against. That’s one thing I really like.

was pretty good and we knew we were getting the best from every team we played against,” Deis said.

“That’s one thing I really like. Everyone was excited to play against us, so we got some really good games. It was enjoyable.”

It’s hard not to have fun when your team does as well as the Oilers did this AJHL season.

Not only did they finish atop the Viterra AJHL South Division, they also scored more goals (270) than any team in the league and also allowed the least (132).

Pretty impressive for one of the youngest teams in the league and a group that had only one player, Tanner Laderoute, finish in the top 10 in AJHL scoring.

Laderoute’s 69 points was seventh best in the league.

While the Oilers’ got a bye in the first round, the Kodiaks advanced by sweeping the Calgary Mustangs in three games.