Oil Kings Perfect Weekend Ends With 4 - 2 Win over P.A.
Published on November 22, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
Edmonton, AB - There's no better way to head into a full week off than with a win. The Edmonton Oil Kings picked up back to back wins this weekend thanks to a 4 - 2 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders Saturday night at Rexall Place. Brent Raedeke, Jeff Lee and Mark Pysyk each had a goal and an assist in a game the Oil Kings never trailed.
"I thought it was another good hard fought win." said Oil Kings Head Coach Steven Pleau. "We have points in 4 of our last 7 games now. It was important to come back home and rest, have a good week of practice and find a way to get points this weekend."
"The win feels really good." described Raedeke. "Beating a team like Red Deer who we are going to be battling with for a playoff spot near the end of the year, it's huge. And then beating P.A. who was one point ahead of us, so we leapfrog over them. It feels good. Hopefully we can keep the winning streak going."
The Oil Kings did something that they haven't been doing at home and that's get on the board first. They got the first powerplay of the game and worked the puck around effectively. Tyler Hlookoff teed up a one timer for his partner on the point Brent Raedeke. That shot didn't get all the way through but deflected to Jeff Lee who kicked it up from his skate to his stick and in. Lee's 10th of the season made it 1 - 0.
Prince Albert didn't help themselves with a steady parade to the penalty box on plays that were easy calls for the referee. The Oil Kings didn't mind and used the man advantage to build up a 2 nothing lead through the first 20 minutes. This time it was Craig McCallum and Robin Soudek with an aggressive forecheck to retrieve a puck that was dumped in. McCallum spotted Mark Pysyk in the slot and the rookie had the presence of mind to pick the top corner on Raiders goalie Garrett Zemlak. The shots on goal were even in the first but the scoreboard was lopsided for the home team.
Special teams continued to be the story in the second period. The Raiders cashed in on their second powerplay of the game in the early going. Justin Bernhardt and Ryan McDonald were pretty close together on the right wing boards playing catch with the puck. Bernhardt set up McDonald for the one-timer that had eyes for the corner on Jung's glove side. The puck didn't leave the ice and Jung didn't see the puck with the screen in front. McDonald's 13th made it 2 - 1.
The save of the game came with just over 4 minutes to go in the second. Brent Raedeke fanned on a pass on Prince Albert's blue line giving Raiders leading scorer Justin Bernhardt a clear cut breakaway. Torrie Jung managed to do the splits and cover the far post just in time for the game-saver and Edmonton carried their lead into the third period.
The Raiders were patient and started to come on a few minutes into the third period and sustained the momentum for about 6 or 7 minutes. Finally, P.A.'s captain Dustin Cameron just threw a puck on net from the blue line and Justin Bernhardt managed to get his stick on it just as he passed through the top of the crease. Bernhardt's team leading 15th of the season tied the game at 2.
The Oil Kings managed to settle things down when they went back to the powerplay less than a minute after the Raiders tied it up. Just as that penalty expired, Mark Pysyk slid a pass over to Raedeke who was clearly in a zone on this night. The Regina native wired a slapshot from the high slot for his 8th goal of the season. Tomas Vincour picked up his second point of the night with a helper as well and Edmonton had the lead back for good.
"It's always good to have extra responsibility." stated Raedeke. "Pleausy said before the game started that our line would be double-shifting in the third period so I kind of knew it was coming. I got out there a couple of times with Neigum and Stephenson and we had a couple of good shifts down in their end. It gives you a lot of confidence when the coach says he's going to put you out there a lot. I'm just trying to make the most of it."
The insurance marker came just as the Oil Kings did a terrific job killing off a late penalty to Adrian Van de Mosselaer. The big defenseman just stepped back onto the ice and was sprung on a partial break by the co-captain Jeff Lee. Van de Mosselaer unloaded a howitzer of a wrist shot that beat Zemlak through the 5-hole to make the final score 4 - 2.
Edmonton's a perfect 5-0-0-0 when they have the lead after two periods of play and they have their first back to back wins since November 1st. The Oil Kings overall record improves to 11-14-1-3 while the Raiders slip to 13-18-0-0. Next up for Edmonton will be the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday the 29th. It's School Night Out. Tickets to the game are $20 and $5 from every ticket your school buys will stay at your school. We're also giving away 2500 free lunch bags.
Western Hockey League Stories from November 22, 2008
- O'Brien has two goals, two assists in 6-1 win over Winter Hawks - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Hawks Drop Game to Seattle 6-2 - Portland Winterhawks
- Giants Thump Blazers - Sweep the Week - Vancouver Giants
- Oil Kings Perfect Weekend Ends With 4 - 2 Win over P.A. - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Giants take back half of home-and-home - Vancouver Giants
- Blades Lose to Wheat Kings in OT - Saskatoon Blades
- Giants Claim Home-And-Home Opener - Kamloops Blazers
- Giants Bounce Blazers 6-4 on Legends Night. - Vancouver Giants
- Everett Wins Fourth Straight, 5-2 - Everett Silvertips
- Pickard Sets All-Time Wins Record; Tri-City Blanks Bruins, 2-0 - Tri-City Americans
- Everett Defeats Winter Hawks 5-2 - Portland Winterhawks
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