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Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Suffer First Lost

October 1, 2014 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


EDMONTON, ALTA. - There will be no record-setting start for the Edmonton Oil Kings this season.

A slow start and some soft defensive play cost the Edmonton Oil Kings as they spotted a two-goal lead to the Medicine Hat Tigers (4-1-0-0) Tuesday night and never recovered, falling 4-2 to drop to 3-1-0-0 on the season.

"That's too good of a hockey team to spot them a 2-0 lead and then try to claw back," said Oil Kings head coach Steve Hamilton. "We were better in the second and third, but really slow start."

The Oil Kings are now tied for the best record in franchise history through four games; the team has never started a season 4-0.

Medicine Hat jumped out to an early lead as Ty Stanton was able to find the middle of the Edmonton defence and snap a shot through a myriad of sticks and past Tristan Jarry. The Tigers struck again with just seconds left in the first as Cole Sanford scored on a power play.

Edmonton cut the lead early in the second as Brett Pollock banged home a rebound off the end boards for his second of the season, but Medicine Hat extended it back to two later in the period as Chad Butcher scored with a shot from the faceoff dot.

In the third, Tyler Robertson's power play goal made it a 3-2 game, but the Tigers responded again as Sanford notched his second of the night to round out the scoring.

"There was a soft pocket in our D zone that they exploited probably three times for goals, and that's simply too hard to come back from," Hamilton said. "It's guys a little unsure of where to be at the right time, and it's a sign of youth. We knew this was going to be a work in progress, and we saw a little bit of evidence of that tonight."

Tyler Lewington had three assists for Medicine Hat, while Marek Langhamer made 35 saves for the Tigers as Edmonton outshot Medicine Hat 37-29. Langhamer was especially key on a five-on-three Edmonton power play in the second period and a late-game six-on-four advantage.

"Langhamer ... made a couple of crucial saves for them," said Oil Kings forward Edgars Kulda. "We were kind of chasing all game, and he was standing for them when they needed him."

Jarry stopped 25 shots for Edmonton in a losing effort.

The Oil Kings will be back in action Friday night in the first stanza of the Battle of Alberta as the Calgary Hitmen come to town. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a Memorial Cup championship poster, presented by Dodge.

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