Edmonton, AB - There's a reason the Calgary Hitmen have 8 players that are either drafted or signed by various NHL teams. They're pretty good. The Hitmen were solid from start to finish in a 7 - 2 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings Sunday afternoon at Rexall Place. Defenseman Michael Stone had a 3 point game while top liners Brandon Kozun and Kyle Bortis each had a pair of points as Calgary recorded their second straight win over the Oil Kings in the season series. "They definitely worked harder this game." described Oil Kings co-captain Jeff Lee. "We were a little bit different too. We didn't match up to their intensity. It was a little bit disappointing on our behalf, not showing up and matching what they brought."
"The outcome is what it is." stated Oil Kings Head Coach Steven Pleau. "We got our butts whooped 7 - 2. We're a better team that that and we've got a lot to work on. You've got to give those guys credit. When they shot the puck, it was to scoring areas. You want your goalie to take away the low half of the net. Their D did a good job, I think it was (Michael) Stone both times where he threw the puck to the net high and it found the corner. It doesn't look like a skilled play but it's a darn good play for a 'D' at this level."
The Hitmen struck first just as the Oil Kings first powerplay of the game expired. Defenseman Matt Mackenzie wired a point shot that beat Oil Kings goalie Cam Lanigan but not the post. Just seconds later, the puck came back to the other point for Austin Madaisky. His shot didn't get through but the rebound came right to the stick of Hitmen leading scorer Brett Sonne who buried his 7th of the season and team leading 19th point. It was 1 nothing just over 4 minutes into the game.
Calgary would add to their lead about 6 minutes later. The puck was rimmed around the boards in a clearing attempt by the Oil Kings that failed to clear the zone. Brandon Kozun flipped a pass back to the point for Winnipeg native Michael Stone. His wrist shot sailed high and through a couple of bodies past a screened Cam Lanigan. Stone's second of the year made it 2 - 0.
The visitors extended their lead early in the second period. A bit of a broken play gave Brandon Kozun some room behind the Oil Kings net. He had a burst of speed and tried the wrap-around on the far post. That was able to squeeze in for his team leading 10th of the year. Michael Stone had the lone assist. It was 3 nothing just over 21 minutes into the game.
The Oil Kings counted on their hot powerplay to get them back into the game. They didn't take much time at all on their third powerplay of the game to find the back of the net. Rookie T.J. Foster started the play by working the puck down low to co-captain Jeff Lee who zipped a pass to Tomas Vincour who was waiting for it on the backdoor. Vincour now has 5 goals in his last 5 games. That made it 3 - 1.
Calgary replied almost immediately. Atlanta Thrashers draft pick Paul Postma jumped up into the play and the defenseman absolutely wired a slap shot just as he crossed the Oil Kings blue line. He beat Lanigan high on the blocker side. It was 4 - 1.
Kyle Bortis was sprung on a breakaway to score Calgary's 5th goal late in the second period. Less than a minute later Tyler Fiddler spotted Brenden Rowinski sneaking in from the point and his shot sailed over the block and top shelf to make the score 6 - 1 through the first 40 minutes.
One bright spot in the third period came from one of the most exciting plays in hockey - the penalty shot. Rookie Logan Proulx showed his great wheels with a breakaway about midway through the period. He was hooked at the last second by Oilers draft pick Alex Plante and was unable to get a shot away. The referee immediately pointed to centre ice to set up the dramatics. Proulx was thinking shot the whole way and beat Martin Jones low on the glove side for his first career goal.
"It's good to get my first goal but it's really no consolation. We just need to work hard and keep positive in the room. I had a penalty shot in Medicine Hat last year and I tried to go 5-hole but didn't put it in. This time I thought I'd bear down a little harder and put it in."
Michael Stone scored his second of the game a little later to make the final 7 - 2.
Edmonton's losing streak extends to 3 games and their record slips to 5-8-1-0 while the Hitmen improve to an impressive 10-3-0-0. Next up on the schedule will be the Vancouver Giants this Wednesday. Of course it's a Weiner Wednesday which means $2 hot dogs all night. Game time is 7 o'clock.
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