Locals thrilled to play on home ice

Posted on: Staff Writer

From edition: October 11 2019 Strathmore Times

By Mario Prusina, Times Editor

Locals Philip Raycroft, Cyle Clayton, Rhett Harten and Tate Yule played close to home on Oct. 4 as the Okotoks Oilers hosted Airdrie at the Strathmore Family Centre. Mario Prusina Photo

Locals Philip Raycroft, Cyle Clayton, Rhett Harten and Tate Yule played close to home on Oct. 4 as the Okotoks Oilers hosted Airdrie at the Strathmore Family Centre.
Mario Prusina Photo
When Cyle Clayton, Tate Yule, Philip Raycroft and Rhett Harten played their home opener for the Okotoks Oilers on Oct. 4, it was legitimately a home game.
The foursome, who play for Okotoks in the Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League (M15), played a home game in the confines of the Strathmore Family Centre in front of family and friends.
While most of the Oilers home games will be played in Okotoks, the club opened their home schedule with a tilt in Strathmore, defeating Airdrie 6-2.
“It’s awesome, it’s been a while – peewee second year – since I played here, so it was really fun,” said defenceman Clayton, who notched two goals in the victory. “We look pretty good; we got lots of guys off of our AAA team last year and guys off the top AA team in the league last year, so we’re looking good.”
According to Raycroft, while playing at home was nice, the two points earned were more important.
“It was good – we worked hard and we did all the little things right,” said the speedy forward. “I just want to work on my skills, try and grow as a hockey player, and then hopefully our team can just win and go far in the playoffs.”
Harten, who made 18 saves in goal for the Oilers, said it was a satisfying win.
“We play played well as a group and got the job done,” said Harten. “It’s nice – it has been a while (two years ago) since I played in Strathmore.
“I want to get better in every way possible, growing as a player and a team.”
While defenceman Yule is technically from Gleichen, he played a lot of games at the Strathmore Family Centre.
“It was real fun and it was a big two points for our team,” said Yule. “It’s fun coming home for a game – we don’t get to do it again this year, so it made it more special to get the win.”
It was also a bit of homecoming for Chestermere natives Nate Gillis, Trey Kam, Brandon McGillivray and Ty McRuvie, along with Langdon native Joshua Alberda.
The Oilers earned another point in the standings with a 2-2 draw on Oct. 6 in Calgary against the CBHA Rangers, improving their record to 1-0-2 on the season.
They will resume their season on Oct. 11 when they host the CRAA Blue at the Pason Centennial Arenas in Okotoks at 6:30 p.m.