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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Power Past Portland

October 29, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings got five different goal scorers on Saturday night as they grabbed a thrilling 5-4 win over the Portland Winterhawks in front of 7,075 fans at Rogers Place.

An entertaining first period saw the Oil Kings and Winterhawks combine for 29 shots on goal and deadlocked in a 1-1 tie at the intermission.

The Oil Kings opened the scoring courtesy Landon Hanson's first goal of the season less than five minutes into the game after he was able to get the last touch on a deflected shot from the blueline from Rhys Pederson. Treycen Wuttunee snagged his first point of the season with the other assist on the goal as he got the first touch on Pederson's shot.

With just over five minutes left in the opening frame, the Winterhawks levelled the score thanks to a shorthanded goal from Marcus Nguyen as he elected to keep and shoot from the left-circle of the Edmonton zone on an odd-man rush.

Both goalies, Kolby Hay for Edmonton, and Jan Spunar for Portland, were razor sharp in the opening period making several tough saves on quality scoring chances.

In the second period, the Winterhawks were able to snag a lead just over six minutes into the middle stanza after Nguyen was sprung on a breakaway on a great feed from Jack O'Brien and made no mistake on a move to his backhand.

Just over five minutes later, the Oil Kings responded in a big way going on a run of four goals in the span of 5:36.

Adam Jecho tied the game at two after finishing off a perefectly executed three-way passing play from between himself, Skyler Bruce and Gavin Hodnett.

Rilen Kovacevic then scored his third goal in as many games to put Edmonton back in front with what could be the goal of the year as he undressed a handful of Winterhawk defenders before elevating shot just under the cross-bar from in tight to the Portland net.

Marc Lajoie added a power play marker to make it a 4-2 Edmonton lead as he muscled a shot through Spunar from the side of the Winterhawks net.

Marshall Finnie made it 5-2 Edmonton with his fifth goal of the season after taking a cross-ice pass from Roan Woodward in the left-circle and putting a perfectly placed shot over the glove of Spunar into the far top corner.

Before the period was out, the Winterhawks would get one goal back after Josh Zakreski was able chip in a loose puck in the Edmonton crease on a Portland power play with just 1:19 left in the period.

In the third period, the Winterhawks would get a power play goal from James Stefan with 6:29 left in regulation to draw to within a goal but that was as close as they would come as Hay would come up with a handful of timely saves along with a number of key shot blocks from Lajoie, Parker Alcos, Mason Finley and Pederson to preserve the victory for Edmonton.

Hay finished the night making 36 saves for the Oil Kings, while Spunar turned in 23 for the Winterhawks. Edmonton went 1-for-6 on the power play, Portland was 2-for-6.

Next up, the Oil Kings welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors to Rogers Place on Friday, November 3 at 7:00 P.M.

The Edmonton Oil Kings next home game is Friday, November 3 at 7:00 P.M. when they welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors to Rogers Place.

The Oil Kings are Edmonton's first choice for family fun with great seats starting at $20 and season seats for as low as $9 per-game for an entire season of thrilling WHL action!

Head to OilKings.ca to secure your seat today!

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2023


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