Hitmen Edge Oil Kings, 6-5, in Overtime
Published on February 3, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Edmonton, AB - Defenceman Carter Yakemchuk scored on the power play 3:57 into overtime to propel the Calgary Hitmen past the Edmonton Oil Kings 6-5 on Friday night at Rogers Place.
The Oil Kings, who erased deficits of 4-0 and 5-2, forced the extra session when Gavin Hodnett counted his second goal of the night with 43.9 seconds remaining. Hodnett then had a breakaway chance to win it in sudden death, but Hitmen goaltender Ethan Buenaventura made one of his game high 35 saves leading to the Yakemchuk tally.
The night started with the visitors pouncing on a pair of Edmonton turnovers in the opening minutes to race out to a quick start getting unassisted markers from Fraser Leonard at 1:51 and Maxim Muranov at 3:44 to make it 2-0. The Calgary power play then went to work, scoring twice on an Oil Kings double minor to Skyler Bruce for slew-footing. First it was a Keets Fawcett tally on a setup from Carson Wetsch then Oliver Tulk one-timed a pass from Yakemchuk to count his team leading 26th goal of the season.
After a pair of Edmonton goals cut the Hitmen lead in half, Muranov buried his second of the night to give the Hitmen a 5-2 lead with 8:03 remaining. However it wouldn't hold as Edmonton struck for a trio of goals in the final 4:17 to pull even.
Despite the frantic Oil Kings rally, Calgary improves to 5-0 against their provincial rivals while pushing their overall record to 20-18-6-1.
With the loss Edmonton drops to 16-27-2-1.
The Hitmen are on the road tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 3 for trip over 500 kilometers away in Lethbridge to face the Hurricanes. Note the early 6:00 p.m. start at ENMAX Centre. It's then back home to the 'Dome to host the Oil Kings on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 4:00 p.m. in another Sunday Funday presented by Brookfield Residential. In addition to $3 sips and snacks specials all game long, look for family fun entertainment on the west concourse. There are also $6 Hitmen Happy Hour food and drink deals throughout the day and a post-game family skate.
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