Oil Kings Draw First Blood
March 25, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release
Brandon, MB. - The Edmonton Oil Kings stunned the hometown Brandon Wheat Kings Thursday night in game one of the 2016 Western Hockey League Playoffs.
The Oil Kings struck for three unanswered third period goals to beat the Wheat Kings 4-2 to grab a 1-0 lead in the best of seven WHL Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.
Trailing 2-1 after two periods, Ben Carroll - the game's first star - evened the score two minutes into the third and Jesse Roach scored what proved to be the game winner three minutes later.
Brandon Baddock added an insurance marker with seven minutes to play as the Oil Kings handed Brandon its first loss since dropping a 4-3 decision to the Tigers in Medicine Hat on February 27th.
The night got off to a good start for the Wheat Kings, who captured the Eastern Conference regular season pennant for the second straight season, when Reid Duke jumped on a puck in the slot after it rang off the goalpost and fired it past Oil Kings' netminder Payton Lee at the 9 second mark of the game.
Duke's goal is believed to be a playoff franchise record. The previous record was set on March 11, 1968 by Mark Wilton in a playoff game against the visiting Moose Jaw Canucks.
While the fans were busy celebrating and the goal was being announced, a mix-up at the Edmonton blueline a minute later led to a 3-on-1 break and the Oil Kings evened the score. Brandon managed to regain the lead late in the period when Nolan Patrick found the back of the net.
The second was scoreless and the third belonged to the Oil Kings, who will be hoping to take a 2-0 series lead when the two teams hook up for game two on Friday night.
Edmonton's Lee turned aside 39 shots Friday night, including fifteen in the third, to post the win while Jordan Papirny made 25 saves in the Brandon net.
Thursday's game one loss was reminiscent of last year's opening round opener that saw the Oil Kings win. The good news for Brandon fans is the Wheat Kings rebounded to win game two and three more in Alberta to win the series in five.
The Keystone Centre box office will open at 8am Friday morning. Western Manitoba hockey fans can also order online at keystonecentre.com or by calling (204) 726-3555.
Wheat Kings' Playoff hockey presented by Precision Toyota, Montana's Barbecue and Bar, The Brandon Sun and Sunrise Credit Union.
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