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Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Weather the Storm in 4-3 Win

December 2, 2012 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - Curtis Lazar busted out of a lengthy scoring slump to tally two goals and add an assist to lead the Oil Kings to a 4-3 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sunday at Rexall Place. Edmonton led 3-0 but Lethbridge battled back to tie the game before Lazar notched the winner. The win raises the Oil Kings record to 18-5-2-3 as they remain in sole possession of first place in the WHL's Central Division.

Lazar opened the scoring five minutes in as he took a pass from TJ Foster and buried a low wrister from the point. The power play goal snapped a recent cold streak for the Oil Kings top prospect and marked his ninth of the season.

Dylan Wruck would make it a 2-0 game as he snapped a shot from the top of the circle past Rimmer at the midway point of the first. Griffin Reinhart dug up a loose puck off a Michael St.Croix rebound to feed Wruck for the big shot. Wruck is currently on an eight game point scoring streak with five goals and nine assists over that span.

Edgars Kulda brought the nearly 7000 at Rexall Place to their feet with a highlight reel goal early in the second. The Latvian import played the puck off his skate, made a deke and buried his third of the season. Kulda leads all Oil Kings rookies with seven points in 2012-13.

But the Hurricanes would answer back with three unanswered in the second. A 5 on 3 power play goal from Graham Hood and a power play marker from Jaimen Yakubowski made it a 3-2 game with seven minutes to play in the period. Yakubowski would then add his second goal of the game as he was awarded a penalty shot just minutes later. The shot was initially stopped by Tristan Jarry but took a hop and trickled over the shoulder of the Oil Kings net minder.

The Kings would regain the lead prior to the end of the second as Lazar pounded home off a rebound for his second of the game. The Oil Kings sniper did not register a tally in the month of November but racked up two in the first game of December.

The Oil Kings would take the 4-3 lead into the third period and proceed to settle the game down after a wild second frame. Edmonton out shot Lethbridge 7-3 in the final frame and 35-22 on the night. The Kings record improved to *17-5-2-3 on the season as they remain in sole possession of first place in the WHL's Central Division. Jarry improved his record to 7-3-0-0 with a 1.50 GAA and a 0.936 save percentage . The Oil Kings power play was 2 for 6 on the night while the penalty kill only held the Canes to 2 for 5 with the man advantage.

The Oil Kings next home game is one of the biggest of the year! The 6th annual Dodge Teddy Bear Toss presented by Global Edmonton and Shaw TV is set for Friday, December 7th against the Calgary Hitmen. It promises to be another key Battle of Alberta matchup as the Oil Kings and Hitmen continue to battle atop the Central Division standings. Tickets are available now and you can also take advantage of a Ticket & Bear Combo for just $20!

Puck drop for this holiday tradition is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at OILKINGS.CA, at the Rexall Place Box Office or at Ticketmaster outlets. For more information on season seats or flex packs, call 780-414-GOAL (4625). All games this season will be broadcast live on the TEAM 1260 and streamed live at WHL.ca. The Oil Kings 2012-13 season is presented by JLT, Insurance & Risk Management.

Season Seat Holders are reminded that the Never Waste A Ticket program has changed. You may redeem any unused tickets from the start of the season through Friday, December 27th by Monday, December 31st. You'll be able to redeem second half unused tickets from January until the end of the regular season. It is recommended that fans drop by the Ticket Office at TELUS Field during regular business hours to avoid the game day rush. You can also call an Oil Kings customer experience representative at (780) 414-GOAL (4625) to choose your games and arrange for a speedy pick-up on game day.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2012


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