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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Edged by Tigers

December 9, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings were narrowly defeated by a 3-2 score on Saturday night at Rogers Place by the Medicine Hat Tigers.

The Oil Kings wasted no time opening the scoring as Gavin Hodnett notched his fourth goal of the season just 41 seconds into the game on a breakaway after a perfectly placed stretch pass from Vojtech Port sent him in alone where he would snap a shot past the glove of Zach Zahara.

The teams combined for 31 shots in the opening period but both goaltenders took their turns coming up with big saves to keep the score at 1-0 Edmonton through 20 minutes of play.

In the second period, the Tigers were able to level the score just 17 seconds in after Andrew Basha found Cayden Lindstrom with a centering pass that he one-time past Kolby Hay.

Just 4:30 later, the Tigers had the lead as Josh Van Mulligen was able to get a seeing eye shot through a crowd of bodies in front of the Edmonton net.

Late in the second, the Tigers grabbed some insurance ahead of the intermission after Tomas Mrsic pinballed in a shot from the right-circle of the Edmonton zone.

The Oil Kings weren't without their chances in the period though as Roan Woodward alone was stopped point blank by Zahara on three separate occasions, two on a breakaway and once on a penalty shot.

In the third period, the Oil Kings were able to trim the deficit to one just 6:43 in as Woodward was finally able to solve Zahara as he elevated a cross-ice pass from Marshall Finnie into the top shelf for his sixth goal of the season.

In the dying minutes, the Oil Kings came within inches of tying the game after Hodnett set up John Szabo for what looked like a no doubt tap in only to be denied by a sprawling right-pad save by Zahara to preserve the 3-2 win for the Tigers.

Both goaltenders were exceptional as Hay finished the night making 41 saves while Zahara turned in 30. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play.

Next up, the Oil Kings host the Swift Current Broncos on Friday, December 15 a 7:00 P.M.

The Edmonton Oil Kings next home game is Friday, December 15 at 7:00 P.M. when they host the Swift Current Broncos.

The Oil Kings are Edmonton's first choice for family fun with great seats starting at $20 and season seats for as low as $9 per-game 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 December 9, 2023


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