WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Capture Third Straight Win

Published on October 3, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings are now riding a three-game winning streak after they held on for a 3-2 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors on Sunday afternoon at Rexall Place.

After back-to-back losses to the nationally-ranked Red Deer Rebels to start the 2010-11 WHL season, the Oil Kings won 3-1 in Prince Albert on Wednesday and 7-3 in Regina on Friday before returning home to defeat the Warriors on Sunday and improve to 3-2 on the year.

"It's been a good week for us, getting back in the win column on the road trip and then coming back home for another win today," Oil Kings head coach Derek Laxdal said. "We got a great effort from our special teams, scoring a short-handed goal, and a power-play goal, and not giving up any power-play goals, so we're really happy with our effort."

The Oil Kings dominated the Warriors during the opening period, outshooting them 14-7 through 20 minutes, but it was Moose Jaw scoring the lone goal. Nathan MacMaster stole the puck at the Edmonton blue line and broke in alone on goalie Cam Lanigan. He fanned on his shot, but it squeaked through the five-hole to give the visitors a 1-0 lead with 11:26 to go.

Edmonton's domination in shots finally paid off in the middle frame, as Jordan Hickmott scored his team-leading third goal of the season 2:10 into the period to tie it up at 1-1. Hickmott converted short-handed on a two-on-one with Josh Lazowski, who picked up an assist, as did the goalie Lanigan.

The Oil Kings scored twice more in the second period, as their two import players tallied their first WHL goals. First, Kristians Pelss took a cross-crease pass from Michael St. Croix and waited out Warriors goalie Thomas Heemskerk 4:25 into the period to make it 2-1. And Marek Hrbas scored on a power-play point shot 10:57 into the frame to make it 3-1.

The Warriors cut the gap to one goal with 13:46 left in the third period, as Spencer Edwards beat Lanigan five-hole on a penalty shot to make it 3-2. Moose Jaw pulled its goalie for the final minute, and sustained pressure almost the entire time, but the Oil Kings were able to hold on for the one-goal win. They outshot their opponents 42-25, with Lanigan making 23 saves for his third straight victory.

The first 5,000 fans through the doors at Sunday's game took home an Oil Kings magnetic schedule, and it was also the first Edmonton Sun Autograph Sunday of the season, as there was a full-team autograph session after the game.

Next up for the Oil Kings are two home games on Thanksgiving weekend, as they host the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday, October 9 at 7 p.m., and the Prince George Cougars on Monday, October 11 at 2 p.m. Saturday's game is Mullet Night, as the first 1,500 fans receive a free mullet, and Monday's game will feature a Ham Shoot. The team's Stuff The Bus campaign will also be held at both games, as fans are encouraged to bring donations to support Edmonton's Food Bank.

Individual game tickets for all Oil Kings home games are on sale now and start at just $15 in the ATB Financial Zone. Season seats start at less than $9 per game, with the addition of some new Mini-Packs and Flex Plans this season as well.Tickets are available at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at oilkings.ca, or by calling 780-414-GOAL (4625).

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2010


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