Braves ride big 3rd Period to Game 1 victory

FORT MCKAY -  Mason Mitchell and Braeden Remillard scored powerplay goals 58 seconds apart to start the third period, propelling the Fort McKay Braves to a 6-1 win over the Fort McMurray Cowboys on Thursday night to take a 1-0 series lead in the 2026 Oil Sands Super Series.

Jeff Martens open the scoring added 3 assists, while Keegan Pruden and Kyle Gladue notched a goal and an assist for the Braves, who outshot the Cowboys 65-26 - including 48-17 in the final 40 minutes. 

Ethan Paulin-Hatch made 25 saves in his Super Series debut for Fort Mckay, while Aaron Swier was spectacular in a losing effort, making 59 saves and keeping the Cowboys in the game.

Jason Comeau scored the lone goal for Fort McMurray, who were without forward Bryant Dyke, a late scratch due to injury.

The Braves - defending champions after a 2-1 Series victory last year (Best-of-Three Format), also took Game 1 last year, winning 11-5.

Fort McKay finished 2-for-4 with the man advantage, while the Cowboys failed to convert on their 2 attempts.

Game 2 goes Satuday night.