WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton Oil Kings Suffer Setback In Seattle

Published on November 5, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Seattle, Wash - If you took a vote right now in the Western Hockey League, the Seattle Thunderbirds may be voted the most under achieving team in the lead. The talent laden roster picked up just their 5th win of the season with a 8 - 2 decision over the Edmonton Oil Kings on election day in the States. California native Jonathan Parker had a goal and 2 assists, fellow American Jim O'Brien had a pair of goals and Greg Scott scored 2 shorthanded markers in a game the Thunderbirds lead from start to finish.

Both teams started cautiously as they learned their opponent but it was the home team that had the majority of the chances in the first period. Veteran netminder Torrie Jung was busy in the first period facing 13 Thunderbird shots, none better than a stop on Seattle's Jonathan Parker about 14 minutes into the game. Jung spread out doing the splits to cover the lower half of the net and slid across to his left to rob Parker on an odd man rush.

One of the best chances for the Oil Kings to open the scoring came with about 90 seconds to go in the first period. The top line of Clayton Cumiskey, Brenden Dowd and Brett Breitkreuz worked the puck into the slot and had T-Birds goalie Calvin Pickard swimming in his crease but they couldn't put it by him.

That chance caught the Oil Kings deep and lead to a rush the other way. Prab Rai lugged the puck through centre and waited for his line mate Jim O'Brien to catch up for a 2 on 2 rush. O'Brien had a step on the defender and was able to deflect the pass by a sliding Jung. O'Brien's 6th of the year made it 1 - 0.

Seattle extended their lead about midway through the second period with another effort from their top line. Jim O'Brien was able to split the defense and at the same time draw both defenders to him as he got a shot on goal. He was stopped by Torrie Jung but the rebound sat still for Jonathan Parker who roofed one, short-side for his 2nd of the year to make it 2 nothing.

Edmonton would reply just over 2 minutes later on a nice solo effort from Clayton Cumiskey. He was able to cause a turnover at the top of the circle in the Thunderbirds zone. He cut to the net on the backhand to shield the defenseman from the puck and ploughed through the T-Birds crease and slid in his 4th of the year to get the Oil Kings on the board.

The T-Birds would get their 2 goal lead back before the period was through on what seemed like a harmless rush. Prab Rai started the play for the home team and skated the puck into Edmonton's zone wide on the right wing. He dropped a pass for O'Brien who wristed a shot from a bad angle that beat Jung high on the short-side. O'Brien's second of the game made it 3 - 1 with just 29 seconds to go in the second period.

Seattle was scoring timely goals on this night and were generating lots of chances with their speed. Just 23 seconds into the third period, Prab Rai caught Brandon Lockerby flat-footed and was sent in on a breakaway. Rai made the perfect shot and rang one off the post and in, top shelf. His team leading 11th goal of the year made it 4 - 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs property Greg Scott was awarded a shorthanded penalty shot with about 9 minutes to go in the game and slid one past Jung to end his night. Jung hasn't had much luck against the Thunderbirds in his career thus far with both Kelowna and now Edmonton. He's 0-6-1-0 lifetime against the T-Birds.

T.J. Foster scored the Oil Kings second goal on the powerplay. Devon LeBlanc and Sena Acolotse added singles and Greg Scott scored another shorthanded goal before the game finished to make the final score 8 - 2.

The Oil Kings are now 1 - 2 on their current road trip and slip to 3 games below .500 with a record of 8-11-1-1 while the Thunderbirds improve to 5-10-1-1. Next up on this trip for the Oil Kings will be the old version of the Edmonton Oil Kings who migrated down south to become the Portland Winter Hawks. That game is Wednesday night from the Memorial Coliseum in Portland. Puck drop is 8 o'clock Edmonton time. The next home game for the Oil Kings will be Friday November 14th against the Medicine Hat Tigers. It's free toque night.

Check out the Edmonton Oil Kings Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from November 5, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central