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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Bounce Back In Portland

November 6, 2008 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Portland, OR - The Edmonton Oil Kings defense had something to prove. One night after surrendering a season high 8 goals, the defense corps stepped it up providing 3 of the 4 Oil Kings goals in a convincing 5 - 2 win over the Winter Hawks in Portland. Trail, B.C. native Logan Proulx registered his first career multiple point game as Edmonton improves to 2 -2 on their current road trip through the Western Conference.

It was a bit of a shaky start for the Oil Kings who had to shake off some bus legs in the first period. Portland also had the first powerplay of the game and had a chance to run up the shot clock. The shots on goal were 7 - 0 Winter Hawks before the game was 3 minutes old.

Edmonton would get back into the game courtesy of their powerplay. The Oil Kings had good puck control deep in Portland territory. Jeff Lee tried to skate the puck to the front of the net from the corner and was tripped up. He was still able to get the puck back to the point for Brent Raedeke who quickly flipped a backhand to Tyler Hlookoff who stepped into a slapshot to beat Sherwood Park native Kurtis Mucha in goal. Hlookoff's first of the year made it 1 - 0.

That goal actually came on a delayed penalty which means the Oil Kings went back to work on the powerplay right after that goal. They didn't score on that ensuing powerplay but generated lots of scoring chances and kept the puck in Portland's zone setting up the next goal.

Logan Proulx had a burst of speed to keep a rush a live and he was able to slide a pass over the Brenden Dowd for a good backhand chance in tight. A rebound was just sitting there for Robin Soudek but he was absolutely robbed by Mucha point blank. The puck squirted to the point after that chance and Jesse Pearson let one rip from the blue line. Dowd scooped up that rebound and made a terrific pass to Proulx on the doorstep to finish the play. Proulx's third of the year made it 2 - 0.

The Winter Hawks would get one back right at the end of the first period when they scored off the rush as well. Taylor Peters came bursting down the left wing and took a shot from a bad angle that rolled up the stick of defenseman Jesse Pearson and up and over the shoulder of Cam Lanigan. That goal came with just 57 seconds to go in the period to make it 2 - 1 after the first.

The Oil Kings came out flying in the second period. A good forecheck allowed Logan Proulx to dig up a loose puck in the corner. He quickly worked the puck back to the point for Mark Pysyk who's blast from the point made it through a maze of legs in front. Rhett Rachinski also picked up an assist on Pysyk's second of the year just over 3 minutes into the middle frame.

Edmonton would add to their lead just over a minute later with another big shot from a defenseman. This time Brent Raedeke set up Adrian Van de Mosselaer who's point shot also found its way through a screen. Van de Mosselaer's first goal and first point since returning from injury made it 4 - 1.

The Winter Hawks would get one goal back when a Travis Bobbee shot was tipped neatly by Stefan Schneider for his first goal of the year while Brett Breitkreuz added an empty netter to make the final score 5 - 2. Cam Lanigan made 27 saves for his third win of the year.

The Oil Kings record improves to 9-11-1-1 while the Winter Hawks lose for the 5th time at home and have the league's worst home record at just 1-5-0-0. Next up for Edmonton will be the Chilliwack Bruins to wrap up the western portion of the trip. That will be followed by a home and home with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Hat Wednesday November 12th and then back home at Rexall Place Friday November 14th. That will be free toque night. The first 3000 fans will get a free Oil Kings toque.

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2008


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