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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Drop 2-1 Decision to Calgary

March 28, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings (9-1-0-0) saw their perfect start to the season end at the hands of the Calgary Hitmen (5-5-1-0) falling 2-1 at the Downtown Community Arena Sunday afternoon.

The story of the night was second-year goaltender Brayden Peters who stopped 41 of the 42 shots the Oil Kings threw his way in the Hitmen crease.

"Some of the stuff he was able to see we weren't doing a good enough job getting a forward in front of his eyes," said Oil Kings head coach Brad Lauer. "He's going to make those saves, he's a good goalie and he played well. We had a lot of opportunities to tie it up, but it was one of those game where it just wasn't meant to be, we've got to learn from it and move on."

The game was very much a goaltending dual with the first goal of the game not coming until the 14:18 mark of the second period when Hitmen captain Josh Prokop busted into the Edmonton zone and spotted an open Sean Tschigerl in the right-wing circle with a cross-seam pass that he one-timed into the top-shelf for his fourth goal of the season.

The Hitmen added to their lead early in the third period with veteran Riley Stotts sprung on a breakaway by a nifty neutral zone setup by Brandon Whynott. Stotts would go upstairs for his third of the season just 2:42 into the final frame. The Oil Kings responded at the 8:20 mark of the third as Josh Williams scored his fourth power play goal of the season, and seventh overall, on a hot-shot from the top of the right circle setup by Carter Souch and Matthew Robertson.

The Oil Kings ended the night with a 42-22 edge in shots while going one-for-five on the power play and a perfect five-for-five on the penalty kill. Peters best save of the night came off the stick of Liam Keeler early in the third period as he dropped into the splits to make a glove save on a quick wrist shot from between the hashmarks. Oil Kings rookie goaltender Colby Knight was solid in his second career start making 20 saves.

"For the most part I thought we played fairly well," said Lauer. "We did a lot of good things. We had a couple breakdowns in the second period that they were able to capitalize on and for me I think that was the difference in the game.

"Sometimes you win games that you think you shouldn't and sometimes you lose games you think you should win, it's disappointing but overall I think our guys worked hard. Anytime you can get a streak going it's special and now it's time for us to start another one"

The Oil Kings return to action Friday night when they travel to Red Deer to take on the Rebels at 7 PM.

Notes:

The loss was just the Oil Kings second regulation loss to the Hitmen in their last 20 meetings.

Jake Neighbours missed this afternoon's contest but is expected to return to the lineup on Friday.

Captain Scott Atkinson left the game in the second period with an upper body injury and did not return.

Josh Williams extended his point and goal streak to three games (3G, 1A).

Carter Souch extended his point and assist streak to four games (0G, 6A).

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2021


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