WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Giants defeat Oil Kings

December 6, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Vancouver, BC: The Edmonton Oil Kings will have to wait for another day to get out of their current slump. The Vancouver Giants top two scorers combined for eight points in a 5-2 victory over Edmonton. Craig Cunningham had four points, including a hat trick, and Brendan Gallagher also picked up four points on a frustrated Oil Kings team. Defenseman Mark Pysyk was a bright spot for Edmonton as he scored two goals in the teams' eighth straight loss.

"Our young guys played well tonight in a tough environment in a rink with Memorial Cup banners," said Oil Kings Head Coach Steve Pleau. "Keegan Lowe, Travis Ewanyk, Dylan Wruck and Braeden Laroque were all excellent. The result is the same but I am happy with the progress these guys are making."

The Giants scored first, late in the first, when Cunningham banged home a loose puck in the slot on the power play, after Gallagher tried to center the puck. The ice was soon filled with fuzzy friends for charity on Vancouver's Teddy Bear Toss night.

Cunningham put the Oil Kings in a bigger hole with his second goal of the night in the second period. It came on another loose puck, after a Gallagher shot was blocked and wound up in the slot. The Giants top point getter ripped his 16th of the season past Oil Kings goalie Torrie Jung. The Giants top line kept it coming when Gallagher scored his 20th of the season after a set up by Cunningham. Both players had three points and Vancouver had a 3-0 lead after two periods.

Pysyk gave the Oil Kings some hope early in the third period when he scored his fourth goal of the year. The Giants top line responded less than two minutes later when Cunningham completed his hat trick. Pysyk scored on another long point shot later in the third, but that was as close as they would get. The Giants Lance Bouma scored an empty netter to make the final 5-2. The Oil Kings (8-15-4-4) are winless in five games against Vancouver (19-10-1-2) in their three years in the WHL.

The Oil Kings get a break until Wednesday, December 9th when they take on the Kootenay Ice in Cranbrook. Then it is off to Saskatchewan for a game against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday, December 11th. The Oil Kings six game road trip will wrap up in Manitoba with a contest against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday, December 12th. Edmonton will return home for a pair of home games before the Christmas break. Jordan Eberle and the Regina Pats visit Rexall Place on Wednesday, December 16th. The Third Annual Toyota Teddy Bear Toss is Friday, December 18th against the Red Deer Rebels. Tickets start at just $15 and can be purchased online at the Oil Kings website -www.oilkings.ca - or fans can call 414-GOAL (4625) to get their seats today.

For more information contact Oil Kings Manager, Communications Kelly Row at krow@oilkings.ca or call (780) 231-2819.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 6, 2009


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