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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Comeback to Defeat Wheaties in a Shootout

December 30, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Brandon, MB - The Edmonton Oil Kings (23-8-2-1) erased a 2-1 third period deficit to defeat the Brandon Wheat Kings (16-13-1-2) 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday night in a game played without fans at Westoba Place.

With a lack of atmosphere in the cavernous Keystone Centre, it took some time for both teams to find some pace in the game early. Simon Kubicek and Brett Hyland would do their part as they got their gloves off for a quick, but spirited, scrap that did instill some emotion.

The Wheat Kings would finally break the scoreless draw late in the opening period as Marcus Kallionkieli was able to nudge a puck across the goal line during a goal-mouth scramble on a power play to send his team to the intermission ahead 1-0.

The Oil Kings were able to answer back early in the second period with a power play goal of their own as Logan Dowhaniuk was able to sneak a point-shot between the arm and body of Brandon netminder Ethan Kruger to knot the score 1-1 just 2:48 into the middle stanza.

Both teams got their share of power play time in the period, but neither could find a go-ahead marker as they hit the second intermission evened up at one apiece.

The Wheat Kings were able to restore their one-goal lead 9:37 into the third period with the games third power play goal of the game after Mason Ward was able to drill home a one-timer from the left-wing circle.

The Oil Kings responded quickly again as Shea Van Olm took a drop pass from Jaxsen Wiebe on a rush into the Wheat Kings zone, made a nifty move to his backhand as he cut in front of the Brandon net and shoveled the puck through Kruger at 12:13 of the third period.

Neither team could find a late-regulation winner so to overtime they went. In the overtime period, the best chance to win it went the way of Oil Kings 15-year-old rookie Gavin Hodnett as he streaked in on a breakaway but had his low shot denied by Kruger.

In the shootout, Kubicek would score the lone goal, while Kolby Hay stood tall stopping all three Brandon shooters.

Hay finished the night with a career-high 40 saves for his seventh win of the season, while Kruger made 31 saves in the loss. The Oil Kings went one-for-four on the power play, Brandon was two-for-6.

Next up, the Oil Kings ring in the new year in Saskatoon when they take on the Blades at 6:00 PM on Saturday, you can listen to the game live at oilkings.ca/radio.

NOTES:

Josh Williams is now on a six-game point streak (6G, 8A).

Logan Dowhaniuk is now on a four-game point streak (2G, 3A) and two-game goal streak.

Kolby Hay has stopped all eight shooters he has faced in shootouts this year.

Simon Kubicek is a perfect two-for-two in shootouts this year and is now six-for-seven in his career.

Edmonton Oil Kings Season Seats, Flex-Packs, Weekend Passes and Single-Game tickets, for as low as $20 per game, are currently on sale at oilkings.ca.

The Oil Kings next home game is Tuesday, January 11 when they welcome the Prince Albert Raiders to Rogers Place at 7:00 PM.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2021


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