Oil Kings Open Memorial Cup With Dramatic Win Over Hosts
Published on May 18, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
Shawinigan, QC - The Edmonton Oil Kings earned the first victory of the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup with a nail-biting 4 - 3 win over the host Shawinigan Cataractes. Edmonton's rookie forward Henrik Samuelsson scored the game winner with just 6:18 to go in regulation time in a wild third period where the teams combined for 5 goals after a tentative start. The Oil Kings pick up the all-important 2 points in the round robin standings and will take the weekend to prepare for their second game Monday night.
"The big thing for us is establishing the first in of the tournament." said Oil Kings Head Coach Derek Laxdal "In a short term tournament that is very important. We got a couple of days off before we play Monday, so it gives us a chance to recuperate."
"I was just lucky to stand there for the backdoor tap in." said Samuelsson "Griffin [Reinhart] saw [Stephane] Legault and Legault saw me, so I was lucky to be the one to put it in."
Kristians Pelss, Griffin Reinhart and Martin Gernat scored the other Edmonton goals. Michael Chaput netted a pair for the host Cataractes while Anton Zlobin rounded out the scoring for Shawinigan. The two teams combined for a paltry 33 shots through 40 minutes of play before the flood gates opened to see 5 goals scored in the final 19 minutes of the game.
Shawinigan erased a 2 goal deficit in about 7 minutes of play and tied the game with 6:41 to go in regulation. Samuelsson replied just 23 seconds later for the dramatic finish Stephane Legault teed up a perfect one-timer for Henrik Samuelsson who wasted no time putting the winner past Alex Dubeau.
Edmonton will now enjoy a 2 day break to prepare for their next game against the defending Memorial Cup Champion and Quebec League Champion Saint John Sea Dogs Monday night at 5:00 p.m. Edmonton time. Edmonton hockey fans are invited to join the Official Memorial Cup Headquarters of the Oil Kings at at Earls Clareview. (13330-50 St.) The restaurant will be showing all Oil Kings game at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. Fans will have a chance to win some great prizes and receive some terrific menu specials just for wearing their Oil Kings colours and supporting their team.
Western Hockey League Stories from May 18, 2012
- Oil Kings skate away with 4-3 win - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Oil Kings Open Memorial Cup With Dramatic Win Over Hosts - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Nachbaur Named to Team Canada World Junior Staff - Spokane Chiefs
- Nachbaur Named to Team Canada World Junior Staff - Spokane Chiefs
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