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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Fall to Red Deer in Home Opener

September 24, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings suffered a 5-2 loss to the Red Deer Rebels in their home opener on Friday night at Rogers Place.

Both teams came out with plenty of jump in the first period and had multiple chances to open the scoring in the first 10 minutes.

For the Oil Kings, Reed Jacobson clang a shot off the post just a couple minutes in and Ben Wright had a bouncing puck elude his stick for what could have been an empty-net tap in on a rebound off shots from Cole Miller and Dawson Seitz.

At the other end, the Rebels were stymied by Kolby Hay on two early high danger chances as the sophomore Edmonton netminder turned away a breakaway bid from Craig Armstrong and then robbed Jace Isley on the doorstep with a sprawling right-pad save.

Late in the opening frame, the Oil Kings and Rebels exchanged power play goals to enter the first intermission tied 1-1.

Miller opened the scoring for Edmonton when he cashed in a rebound from a Seitz shot at the 15:11 mark. On the goal, Oil Kings defenceman Ethan MacKenzie registered his first career WHL point with an assist.

Not long later though, the Rebels ended up on a two-man advantage and with just 22 seconds left in the first period, Jhett Larson was able to muscle home a rebound in front of the Edmonton cage.

In the second period, the Rebels were able to take control of the game striking three times to go ahead 4-1 at the second intermission.

Hunter Mayo had the Rebels second goal after he snapped a shot through a screen on another Red Deer power play just under five minutes into the period.

Then, with under five minutes left in the middle stanza, the Rebels got two goals 21-seconds apart from Carter Anderson and Mayo. Anderson's goal came as he charged to the Edmonton net and deflected in a perfect centering pass from Talon Brigley. Mayo's second of the night was a booming slapshot from the right-point that got through a layered screen in front of Hay.

In the third period, Mason Finley got the Oil Kings back in the game after he sifted a backhand between the legs of Red Deer goaltender Kyle Kelsey less than four minutes into the final 20 for his first goal in an Oil Kings uniform.

The Oil Kings were unable to pull any closer though and Larson put the game out of reach with an empty-net marker in the final minute.

Hay finished the night with 31 saves for the Oil Kings, while Kelsey made 28 saves for his first career WHL win. Edmonton was 1-for-4 on the power play, the Rebels were 2-for-4.

Next up, the Oil Kings and Rebels are right back at it tomorrow night down at the Peavey Mart Centrium with puck drop set for 7:00 P.M.

The Edmonton Oil Kings next home game is Thursday, September 29 when they welcome Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats to Rogers Place at 7:00 P.M.

Edmonton Oil Kings Season Seats, Flex-Packs, Weekend Passes and Single-Game Tickets are on-sale now! Head to oilkings.ca to secure your seat in #TheKingdom.

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 24, 2022


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