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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Extend Win Streak with 2-1 Win over Raiders

December 9, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


The Edmonton Oil Kings were looking to wrap up their two-game homestand on a high note when the Prince Albert Raiders came to town on Tuesday night, and did just that with a narrow 2-1 win in the highly-defensive battle. With the win, the Oil Kings extended their win streak to five games in a row.

The Oil Kings (13-14-3-0) were the first to draw blood with a power play tally from Brett Pollock at 15:54 of the 1st. Some precision passing found Pollock all alone on the right side, where he snapped it into the gaping cage to give the home side the 1-0 lead late in the opening frame.

"I think it was pretty easy on my part," said Pollock of his power play marker. "Dysin (Mayo) made a great play to suck a guy in and give it over to Lane (Bauer) who did the same... and found me back door."

The Raiders (18-9-2-1) also managed to capitalize on the power play at 10:04 of the 2nd period when Reid Gardiner launched a wrister from the point that beat goaltender Patrick Dea over the shoulder to knot things up at one.

But that would be the last of the Raiders offence as Oil Kings goaltender Patrick Dea was stellar between the pipes once again, stopping 26 of 27 pucks sent his way and giving his team the chance to take down a strong Raiders squad, currently sitting 2nd in the WHL Eastern Conference standings.

"I was happy with Patty (Dea)," said Oil Kings head coach Steve Hamilton of his goaltender's performance. "He's been getting some starts and has deserved it. I think that's three goals against in the last three games. He's done his part, and I like that we've been better in front of him."

Special teams continued to be the deciding factor on the score sheet as Oil Kings winger Cole Kehler would tally the go-ahead marker, again on the power play, to give the home side the one-goal lead with with 8:28 to play in the final frame. The Oil Kings managed to fend off a late-game flurry from the Raiders and hang on for the 2-1 win.

After a tough BC road trip in mid-November, where they dropped five out of six games and were outscored significantly, the Oil Kings have rattled off five wins in a row, during which they've only given up more than one goal in a single game.

In addition to some fantastic goaltending, Coach Hamilton has also a noticed shift in the way his team is closing out games.

"We came out of a rough BC trip where we gave up the lead four times out of the six games in the 3rd period. To be able to hold our ground and sustain a little bit of pushback from the other team and gather some momentum on our own are obvious signs of growth," said Hamilton.

Pollock's 1st period tally would be good enough for 32 points on the season, placing him in a tie for the team-lead in points with Lane Bauer, who also got a point on his assist on the same goal.

Next up for the Oil Kings is a quick two-game road trip, starting with a visit to the Swift Current Broncos (8-17-3-1) on Thursday, December 10th at 6 pm MT.

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2015


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