WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Deliver Sweet Chin Music to the Hitmen

Published on March 5, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Calgary, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings (41-11-2-1) scored early and often on Saturday afternoon as they defeated the Calgary Hitmen (20-25-5-2) 6-1 to sweep their home-and-home weekend series, while also securing an 11th straight win.

The Oil Kings put forth as good a road period as a team could hope for in the opening 20 minutes at the Saddledome, outshooting the Hitmen 11-8 and outscoring them 2-0.

Dylan Guenther staked Edmonton to an early lead as he took a pass in the left-circle of the Calgary zone and snapped a hot-shot short-side over the right shoulder of Ethan Buenaventura for his team leading 35th goal of the season.

Just over seven minutes later, Justin Sourdif made an addition to his personal highlight-reel as he intercepted an errant Hitmen breakout pass, walked around the lone defenceman back covering and elevated a shot over the left arm of Buenaventura for his seventh goal as an Oil Kings.

The Oil Kings continued to apply pressure in the second period, putting 19 more shots on the Hitmen net and just past the midway mark of the frame, Jalen Luypen extended the lead with his 22nd of the year as he tipped a pass from Jakub Demek on goal and after the initial shot was stopped, the Chicago Blackhawks was able to dig the rebound loose and bounce it in off the backside of Buenaventura to give Edmonton a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes.

In the third period, the Oil Kings put the game away with two quick goals. First, Guenther collected his second of the afternoon after stripping a Hitmen defender of the puck at the Edmonton blueline, streaking the length of the ice on a shorthanded breakaway and snapping a shot under the pads of Buenaventura.

Two-and-a-half minutes later, Guenther would setup Josh Williams for a one-timer in the slot for a power play marker. Williams added one more later in the period as he finished off a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play between himself, Guenther and Luypen.

The Hitmen, who recived seven power plays in the third period did tack on a man-advantage marker from Carter Yakemchuk in the final three minutes but that would be the only offence they would find.

Sebastian Cossa made 23 saves for his league-leading 28th win the season, while Buenaventura made 38 saves for the Hitmen. The Oil Kings went one-for-three on the power play, the Hitmen were one-for-eight.

Next up, the Oil Kings continue their four-game road trip with stop in Medicine Hat on Wednesday to take on the Tigers at 7:00 PM, you can listen to the game at oilkings.ca/radio.

NOTES:

Justin Sourdif is now on a nine-game point streak (5G, 11A).

Dylan Guenther is now on a three-game point streak (3G, 3A).

Josh Williams is now on a three-game point streak (3G, 3A).

Jakub Demek is now on a three-game point streak (2G, 1A).

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

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 Wednesday, March 16 when they welcome the Saskatoon Blades to Rogers Place at 7:00 PM.

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2022


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