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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Comeback to Stun the Hurricanes

January 17, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Lethbridge, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings (26-9-2-1) clawed their way back from a late third period two-goal deficit to defeat the Lethbridge Hurricanes (14-14-2-1) 5-4 in a shootout at the Enmax Centre.

The Oil Kings looked to follow up their strong third period from the day before with a quick start in Lethbridge, however, Hurricanes netminder Bryan Thomson had other ideas as he denied three glorious scoring chances by the visitors in the opening 10 minutes of the first period.

The Hurricanes would find the only goal of the opening period with just 2:29 left on the clock as Kade Nolan fired a shot from the left-wing boards that Justin Hall would redirect at the last moment to give the Hurricanes the icebreaker.

The Oil Kings wasted no time in the middle stanza getting the game tied at one as just 1:29 after the puck was dropped, Jake Neighbours evened the score as he drove hard to the Lethbridge net to cash in a rebound generated off a Kaiden Guhle shot. The goal was the 50th of his career.

Just 20 seconds later the Hurricanes restored their lead as Logan Barlage tipped in a point shot from Chase Pauls. The Hurricanes then extended their lead with yet another redirect on a shot from the blueline at 7:47 of the period with Hall collecting his second of the night.

At 10:57 of the period, the Hurricanes had a glorious opportunity to increase their lead once again as Ty Nash was granted a penalty shot but he was denied by a poke check from Oil Kings goaltender Sebastian Cossa.

Just two minutes later, the Oil Kings pulled to within a goal as Josh Williams set Carter Kowalyk up for his first career WHL goal. The St. Albert, AB product jumped up into a rush into the Lethbridge zone, took a cross-ice pass from Williams, cut to his backhand and stuffed the puck past Thomson.

The Hurricanes looked to restore their two-goal advantage late in the frame as Hall was left alone in front of the Edmonton net but was denied by a sprawling Cossa to keep the Oil Kings within one heading to the third period.

Early in the third period, the Hurricanes pulled back in front by two as Hall completed his hat-trick as he was able to muscle home a rebound in front of the Edmonton net.

The Hurricanes held their two-goal lead past the midway mark of the third period but with just over seven minutes left in regulation the comeback began for the Oil Kings. Dylan Guenther blasted home a power play marker from the left-circle on a nice setup from Neighbours and Guhle at 12:52 to get back to just a one goal deficit. The Oil Kings then tied the game 1:09 later as Carter Souch setup former Hurricane Cole Miller for a net front redirect to even the score at four.

In overtime, the Oil Kings had four chances to end the game but Neighbours, Guhle and Guenther were all turned away by Thomson while Jaxsen Wiebe clanked the iron on a tipped shot.

In the shootout, Cossa would turn aside both Lethbridge shooters while Guenther and Neighbours both slipped shots five-hole on Thomson to give the Oil Kings the 5-4 victory.

Cossa finished the night with 25 saves for his league-leading 18th win of the year while Thomson took the loss in the Lethbridge crease stopping 27 shots. The Oil Kings went one-for-three on the power play, the Hurricanes were one-for-four.

Next up, the Oil Kings are back on home ice Tuesday, January 18 when they take on the Prince Albert Raiders at 7:00 PM.

NOTES:

The Oil Kings are now 3-1 in shootouts this year.

Dylan Guenther is now on a four-game point streak (4G, 5A).

Cole Miller is now on a three-game point streak (1G, 3A).

Kaiden Guhle is now on a three-game point streak (1G, 1A).

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 18 when they welcome the Prince Albert Raiders to Rogers Place at 7:00 PM.

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Western Hockey League Stories from January 17, 2022


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