Oil Kings Win First Of The Year With a Big Comeback Over Calgary
Published on September 20, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Last updated: September 20, 2008
Source: Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
Edmonton, AB - What a dandy from the guy they call 'Vandy'. Hulking defenseman Adrian Van de Mosselaer made his first multiple-point game in the WHL a memorable one with a 4 point night. He was a factor in all of the Oil Kings scoring in a 4 - 3 win over the visiting Calgary Hitmen. The 212 pound Kelowna native had 4 helpers in Edmonton's first victory of the season. The former stay-at-home, hard hitting defenseman was all smiles after the game.
"It was a team effort tonight. We all came out to work. It started a little bit slow and we came in here after the second period and knew we had a job to do. We went out and battled and came out on top tonight."
Van de Mosselaer is usually known for his hard hitting defense but he's shown quite the offensive flare this season registering a 3 point game in the pre-season and now his first 4 point game of his career.
"It's just the way it turned out tonight. I've got to know my position and the kind of player I am but it was good to contribute tonight. We've got a long season ahead so we've got a lot to work towards."
It was a bit of an odd start for both teams with 2 penalties in the first 45 seconds of the game creating some 4 on 4 play in the early going. Edmonton took advantage of the extra space and turned it into an early lead. Adrian Van de Mosselaer let a howitzer go from the point that was tipped neatly by Brenden Dowd. The first of the year for the Oil Kings second leading goal scorer from last season made it 1 - 0.
The Hitmen tied it up a few minutes later. The Oil Kings had some trouble in their own zone and turned the puck over behind the net. Saskatoon native Kyle Bortis threw the puck out front to Brandon Kozun who slid into the slot undetected and potted his second of the year. That made it 1 - 1 just over 4 and a half minutes into the game.
Former Oil Kings tough guy Brennan Sonne's little brother Brett is off to a great start to his 4th full season in the WHL. He picked up his 4th point of the year in just his second game when he set up Ian Schultz for a one-timer in the slot. It was 2 - 1 Calgary heading into the intermission even though Edmonton was leading on the shot clock 13 - 11.
The Hitmen are launching to the top of the special teams stats in a hurry. Their powerplay connected in the second period when Brandon Kozun roofed a rebound past a sprawling Dalyn Flette. The Oil Kings goalie who calls Calgary home in the off-season made a nice first save off of Scott Maetche but nobody could corral the rebound. Sonne picked up his second assist of the game and it was 3 - 1 after 40 minutes.
The Oil Kings were not going to let this game get away from them like they did 24 hours earlier against Medicine Hat. They battled back hard and the comeback was cued by a quick goal right out of the gate in the third period. Brenden Dowd buried a bit of a spin-o-rama goal right in front of the net. Van de Mosselaer picked up his second assist of the game to pull the Oil Kings to within one.
They struck again just 61 seconds later. This time it was another blistering shot from Adrian Van de Mosselaer that made its way through traffic and behind Hitmen goalie Dan Spence. The goal was originally credited to Van de Mosselaer but he was quick to point out after the game that the puck actually deflected off Jeff Lee's shin pad and past Spence. The goal was credited to the captain while Van de Mosselaer and Tomas Vincour picked up the assists. That knotted the game up at 3 apiece.
You could see the ice start to slant in the Oil Kings favor and they kept pouring it on. A few minutes later, Brett Breitkreuz showed some nice hands in tight with some nifty stickhandling in front of the net. Van de Mosselaer was deep on the rush and made a nice play to centre the puck while Brenden Dowd started the whole play with a good cycle down low.
So the Oil Kings split the opening weekend of the season and will try to keep it going for their first road game of the year on Wednesday night in Calgary for the second half of this home and home series with the Hitmen. The next home game at Rexall Place will be Friday night when the Red Deer Rebels are in town. It's 'Kids Eat Free' night. The first 1000 kids ages 12 and under who come to the game will be able to eat for free and as much as they want! Don't be late.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2008
- Cougars shut out T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Oil Kings Win First Of The Year With a Big Comeback Over Calgary - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Kelowna Rockets Acquire Goaltender - Kelowna Rockets
- Edmonton Oil Kings Drop Home Opener To Medicine Hat - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Canes take 4-3 shootout win in Home Opener - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Blazers Edge Silvertips 4-3 In Overtime - Kamloops Blazers
- T-Birds Lose Season Opener To Cougars - Seattle Thunderbirds
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