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.
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from September 24, 2022
- GAME Preview: Wheat Kings Open Regular Season Versus Ice - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Winterhawks Weekly: September 26 - October 2 - Portland Winterhawks
- Winterhawks Reassign Donavan Bodnar to MJHL - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Hub: September 24 at Kelowna - Portland Winterhawks
- Warriors and Mosaic Partner on Goals for Food Program - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Chiefs Get Season off to Hot Start with 7-5 Win over Victoria - Spokane Chiefs
- Hurricanes Name 2022-2023 Leadership Group - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Game Preview: Cougars vs Americans (Game #2) - Prince George Cougars
- Americans Look to Rebound in PG - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Look to Carry Momentum into Saturday's Rematch against Victoria - Spokane Chiefs
- Pats Head to the Moose Jaw Events Centre Saturday - Regina Pats
- Game Day Preview - September 24 vs Lethbridge - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Americans Stumble in Opening Night Loss - Tri-City Americans
- Hitmen Win First Regular Season Game - Calgary Hitmen
- Chiefs Get Season Off To Hot Start With 7-5 Win Over Victoria - Spokane Chiefs
- Broncos Fall in Season Opener to Hitmen - Swift Current Broncos
- Hawks Blank Blazers for Season-Opening Win - Portland Winterhawks
- Pats Drop 2022-23 Home Opener - Regina Pats
- Oil Kings Fall to Red Deer in Home Opener - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Highlights: September 23, 2022 - Swift Current Broncos
- Cougars Collect Win Number One in Season Opener vs. Tri-City - Prince George Cougars
- Spokane Spoils Season Opener with 7-5 Win over Victoria - Victoria Royals
- Hawks Blank Blazers 3-0 in Season Opener - Portland Winterhawks
- Warriors Open Season with Comeback Win in Regina - Moose Jaw Warriors
- T-Birds Begin with Road Win - Seattle Thunderbirds
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
