WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton Oil Kings Fall 6-2 To Top Ranked Calgary

Published on February 4, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Calgary, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings showed they could hang in there with the high powered offence of the Calgary Hitmen through the first two periods last night. It was the third period where everything fell apart. St. Louis Blues draft pick Brett Sonne, Kyle Bortis and Bostjan Golicic scored three times in a span of 5:12 in the final period, pacing Calgary to a 6-2 win over the Oil Kings last night at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Edmonton looked to get off on the right foot as forward Brett Breitkreuz broke out of his goal scoring slump as he snapped a shot over the shoulder of Hitmen goaltender Martin Jones at the 7:31 mark of the first period.

It was Breitkreuz's first goal since Jan.10 in Brandon, a streak that lasted 10 games.

Brandon Kozun tied the game with his 30th goal of the season late in the opening period.

Sonne showed strong work along the boards to get the puck to the point where Hitmen defenceman and Edmonton Oilers 2007 first round pick Alex Plante let a blast go.

Kozun outmuscled the Oil Kings defender and slammed the loose puck past Oil Kings goaltender Torrie Jung (15-16-1-4).

After coming off an impressive 1-0 shutout Saturday night at home to the Regina Pats, Jung once again stood tall making 26 saves, but was pulled after giving up the games fifth goal 8:03 into the third period.

The last thing the Oil Kings wanted to do was get into a special teamsʼ battle with Calgary, who hold two of the best power play and penalty killing units in the WHL.

The Oil Kings struggled on the power play against the Hitmen in the previous five meetings, scoring only once in 25 chances.

But that was one area where the Oil Kings had an edge over Calgary.

Edmonton's power play looked dangerous last night and Brent Raedekeʼs blast from the blueline gave the Oil Kings a 2-1 lead at the 5:09 mark of the second period after he and Oil Kings defenceman Mark Pysyk played a little give-and-go at the point.

The Oil Kings finished 1 for 8 on the power play, while Calgary was 0 for 4.

It was Raedekeʼs second point on the night and Pysyk chipped in with two assists.

It was an impressive game for Hitmen defenceman Paul Postma, a 2007 Atlanta Thrashers draft pick tied the game just 4:29 later when he sent a laser through traffic for his 17th goal of the season. His 17 goals and 62 points leads all WHL defenceman.

He would later add his 45th assist of the season on Joel Brodaʼs game winning goal with 4:14 remaining in the second period.

Postma made two nifty moves as he crossed the blueline and he fed Broda a cross-crease pass for Brodaʼs 40th goal of the season.

When the Oil Kings score the first goal of the game, theyʼve posted an impressive record of 18-4-0-1, but Calgary was too strong, particularly in the third period, pushing their record to 44-7-3, while the loss drops the Oil Kings record to 23-27-2-4.

The Oil Kings had their impressive record on their side when scoring first, but they faced a daunting task trying to pull off the comeback in the third period as the Hitmen have a dominating record of 34-1-0-0 when taking a lead into the third period.

Cam Lanigan who replaced Jung at the 8:03 mark made five saves in relief.

Jones made just 15 saves in the victory.

Despite the loss, the Oil Kings still remain tied with the Regina and the Prince Albert Raiders for the eighth and final playoff spot in the WHLʼs Eastern Conference.

The Oil Kings will look to get back on a winning track when they face the visiting Saskatoon Blades tonight (Feb. 4) at Rexall Place, puck drop is 7 p.m. in what marks another $2 Weiner Wednesday night.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2009


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