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Oil Kings Drop Shootout Decision to Lethbridge

September 29, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings earned a point on Friday night at Rogers Place as they fell 4-3 in a shootout to the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The Oil Kings came out of the gates flying generating four high-danger scoring chances in the opening 7:30 of the game. Kian Bell had a pair of offerings denied by Lethbridge netminder Harrison Meneghin, who would also stone Aidan Litke on a breakaway before finally being beaten by Nathan Pilling.

Into the lineup for the first time since January 10, Pilling wasted no time turning on the red light after retrieving a puck in the high-slot of the Lethbridge zone and ripping a wrist shot off the near-side post and in to get Edmonton out to a 1-0 lead.

The Hurricanes, however, would find their game in the second half of the opening frame scoring twice in the final seven minutes to take a 2-1 lead to the first intermission. Landen Ward levelled the score at one at the 12:59 mark by redirecting in a point shot from Logan McCutcheon and then it would be another redirect for the 'Canes to give them the lead, this time from Tyson Zimmer on a Lethbridge power play as he got a piece of a Tristen Doyle one-time blast with 3:05 left on the clock.

Despite starting the second period shorthanded for nearly the first four minutes, the Oil Kings took back control of the game courtesy a couple of special team goals.

First, John Szabo fired home his first goal of the season 2:51 into the middle stanza after streaking into the Lethbridge zone shorthanded and muscling a puck through Meneghin from the left circle.

At 6:26 the Oil Kings took a 3-2 lead after Pilling found the back of the net for a second time with another shot off the post and in on an Edmonton man-advantage.

The lead was short-lived though as the Hurricanes responded with an even-strength goal from Carter Dereniwsky just over two minutes later thanks after a sweet cross-ice setup from Zimmer sending the two Clubs to the second intermission tied 3-3.

A cautiously played third period finished with the teams still deadlocked at three sending both to overtime for the first time this season.

In overtime, the Oil Kings outshot the visitors 6-2 and had a trio of good looks to end the game from Marshall Finnie, Aidan Litke and Pilling but Meneghin stood tall in the Lethbridge crease. The Hurricanes best chance to end the game came with less than a minute to play after McCutcheon was sprung on a breakaway only to be denied by Kolby Hay.

In the shootout, Lethbridge got goals from Zimmer and Logan Wormald to clinch the victory after only Cole Miller could score for Edmonton.

Hay finished the night making 31 saves for Edmonton, Meneghin grabbed the win turning in 32 stops. The Oil Kings went 1-for-7 on the power play, Lethbridge was 1-for-5.

The Oil Kings and Hurricanes meet up again on Sunday at Rogers Place for a 4:00 P.M. puck drop for the first Family Fun Sunday of the season.

The Edmonton Oil Kings next home game is this Sunday, October 1 at 4:00 P.M. when they take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes at Rogers Place.

The Oil Kings are Edmonton's first choice for family fun with great seats starting at $20 and season seats for as low as $299 for an entire season of thrilling WHL action!

Head to OilKings.ca to secure your seat today!

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2023


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