Holinkas Hat-Trick Helps Oil Kings Tie Series with Blades
Published on April 2, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
Saskatoon, Sask. - The Edmonton Oil Kings are now deadlocked at 2-2 in their best of seven series with the Saskatoon Blades after a 5-2 win in Saskatoon on Wednesday night.
It was a first period of first for the Oil Kings in the hockey game, as Miroslav Holinka scored for Edmonton just over seven minutes in to make it 1-0 as the Oil Kings opened the scoring for the first time in the series. Saskatoon would respond though with a Kazden Mathies goal at the 14:21 mark of the period. However, a late powerplay gave the Oil Kings a chance to get the lead back, which they did as Holinka sliced his way through the Blades penalty kill for his second of the period and first multi-goal game of his WHL Playoff career.
The game marked the first time in the series the Oil Kings led after one frame, and the first time they've scored in the first period through four games in this series.
In the second, Lukas Sawchyn gave the Oil Kings the 3-1 lead almost five minutes into the period before Saskatoon got another one back to make it 3-2 off the stick of Hunter Laing. Then with 22 seconds to go in the period, Miroslav Holinka pounced on a rebound off a Gavin Hodnett shot to score his third goal of the game for just the second playoff hat-trick in Oil Kings history.
The Oil Kings held on in the third, blocking numerous shots and killing off a four-minute penalty as well. Adam Jecho chucked one into the empty net with two seconds to go to seal the deal and tie the series at two games apiece.
Ethan Simcoe made 31 saves for a new playoff career high. Lukas Sawchyn had two assists along with his goal for another three-point night for the Oil Kings.
The powerplay was 1-for-2 and the penalty kill was 3-for-3.
Game five of this series will go in Edmonton on Friday at 6 p.m.
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