Crown Chronicles: Oil Kings Stick with It
Published on February 7, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
While the results were something like a rollercoaster ride for the Edmonton Oil Kings this past week, the overall execution of the team's play has seemingly found a nice baseline as the team went 2-1-0-0 for a second straight week.
On Wednesday, February 2 the Oil Kings continued their dominant ways from the weekend before as they lambasted the Medicine Hat Tigers by a 6-2 score before embarking on a two-game weekend road trip to Northern Saskatchewan with stops in Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
The trip didn't get off to the best of starts as they dropped a 6-1 decision to the Blades on Friday night despite holding a 39-16 shot advantage. The following night they would take out their frustrations on the Raiders as they would build an early 3-0 lead on their way to a commanding 5-2 victory.
Sitting at 31-11-2-1 on the season, the Oil Kings maintain a four-point cushion atop the Eastern Conference over the Red Deer Rebels and Winnipeg ICE.
Highlight of the Week
The Edmonton Oil Kings power play has been red-hot as of late, eight goals over their last four games, including this beauty as Dylan Guenther finishes off some pretty passing for his team leading 27th goals of the season.
Weekly Review
Oil Kings 6 vs Medicine Hat 2 (Wednesday)
Dylan Guenther factored in on four of the six Oil Kings goal on this night, notching two goals and two assists, while the Oil Kings power play connected three times on just five chances. The Oil Kings put the game away early in the second period as they erupted for three goals in just 1:10.
Oil Kings 1 @ Saskatoon 6 (Friday)
The Oil Kings lacked finish and the Blades certainly did not. Nolan Maier stood tall for the Blades as he denied 38 of the 39 shots thrown his way, while opportunistic Blades got three power play goals, including two in the final four minutes of the second period, to pull away from the Oil Kings for their first win in regulation against Edmonton in their last nine meetings.
Oil Kings 5 @ Prince Albert 2 (Saturday)
The Oil Kings shot out to an early 3-0 lead thanks to three power play markers of their own and never looked back as they cruised to their fourth win of the season over the Raiders. Oil Kings forward Justin Sourdif tallied his first two goals in an Edmonton uniform, including the game winner. Jakub Demek had three assist in the win while all three of Jalen Luypen, Josh Williams and Jake Neighbours recorded a goal and an assist.
Three Stars of the Week
3. #42 Justin Sourdif - The newest Oil Kings forward etched his name in the goal column for the first time in an Edmonton uniform on Saturday against the Prince Albert Raiders, and he liked it so much, he decided to do it twice. His two goal outburst was his second multi-goal game of the season and ninth of his career. In seven games with the Oil Kings, the Florida Panthers prospect is averaging a point per-game with two goals and five assists.
2. #14 Josh Williams - The Oil Kings forward notched a point in all three games this past week and had multi-point performances against the Medicine Hat Tigers and Prince Albert Raiders. He now has points in 15 of his last 17 games. With 57 points this season, the Langley, BC product currently ranks 5th amongst all WHL skaters.
1. #21 Jake Neighbours - The Oil Kings captain found the back of the net in all three games this past week and had his third two-goal game of the season on Wednesday against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The St. Louis Blues first rounded his currently riding a nine-game point in which he has recorded 17 points (7G, 10A). His 1.67 points per-game ranks second in the entire WHL.
Quick Hits
The Edmonton Oil Kings outshot each of their opponents this past week by more that 20 shots and a three-game total of 126-55.
Kolby Hay earned both Oil Kings wins this past week in the crease with his two starts against Medicine Hat and Prince Albert being his first two starts of 2022. He now sits second amongst WHL rookie netminders in wins with nine.
Justin Sourdif recorded his 14th career game winning goal on Saturday, no current Oil Kings player has more in their career than him.
Dylan Guenther and Josh Williams each recorded their 68th career goal as Oil Kings this past week, they sit tied for 9th all-time in goals scored in franchise history, trailing Henrik Samuelsson by seven goals for 8th.
On Saturday against the Prince Albert Raiders, Jalen Luypen recorded his 50th career WHL goal. He has now scored in three of his past four games.
Former Oil Kings captain Trey Fix-Wolansky was recalled by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday and could make his NHL debut on Tuesday in Washington against the Capitals. In 22 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season, the Edmonton native has 17 points (9G, 8A). Should he suit up for the Jackets, he would become the fifth different current/former Oil Kings player to make his NHL debut this season joining Jake Neighbours, Dysin Mayo, Mason Geertsen and Brandon Baddock.
Next Up
The Oil Kings have just one home game this week as they take on the Regina Pats in their annual Hockey Hooky game on Tuesday at 11:00 AM. The Oil Kings and Pats have split their first two meetings of the season series. Josh Williams recorded a hat-trick and two assists the last time these two clubs met back on December 27 at the Brandt Centre in Regina.
This weekend will see the Oil Kings will make stops in Central and Southern Alberta as they battle the Red Deer Rebels and Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday and Saturday night respectively. The Oil Kings and Rebels haven't met since November 24 when the Oil Kings skated to a 5-3 victory.
Edmonton Oil Kings Season Seats, Flex-Packs, Weekend Passes and Single-Game tickets, for as low as $20 per game, are currently on sale at oilkings.ca.
The Oil Kings next home game is Tuesday, February 8 when they welcome the Regina Pats to Rogers Place at 11:00 AM for Hockey Hooky.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 7, 2022
- Winterhawks Weekly: High-Scoring Hawks Push Point Streak to 16 - Portland Winterhawks
- Crown Chronicles: Oil Kings Stick with It - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Howell Scores First WHL Goal over the Weekend - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Koen MacInnes Named WHL Goaltender of the Week - Everett Silvertips
- Pats Forward Bedard Named WHL Player of the Week - Regina Pats
- Silvertips Netminder MacInnes Named WHL Goaltender of the Week - WHL
- Pats Forward Bedard Named WHL Player Of The Week - WHL
- Blazers Escape with Narrow 3-2 Win over Royals - Victoria Royals
- Powerplay Thrives as Silvertips Pick up Eighth Straight Win - Everett Silvertips
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