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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Schooled by Royals at Hockey Hooky

February 29, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


EDMONTON, AB - The Victoria Royals took the Edmonton Oil Kings to school in front of a crowd of 12,220 on Monday's Hockey Hooky game.

The Oil Kings were lackluster for much of the game and Victoria scored twice on the powerplay, once shorthanded and three times at even-strength and goaltender Coleman Vollrath stopped 24 of 25 shots on route to a 6-1 win.

"I think the start we've been getting off to the past few games, you kind of bury yourself," said Head Coach Steve Hamilton. "We get it to 2-1 and we needed to right the ship but then we give up a pretty easy shorthanded goal. You chase the game and it's over."

The Royals jumped out to an early lead, with captain, Joe Hicketts scoring just 26 seconds into the game. Victoria would go on to score another goal before Oil Kings all-time defenceman scoring leader Dysin Mayo notched his 6th goal of the season (and 131st career WHL point) to cut the deficit to just one. The first period wouldn't end there as Royals winger Jared Dmytriw would score with just over six minutes left to take his team into the intermission up 3-1.

The Royals momentum would carry over into the second period as Tyler Soy would find the back of the net on the powerplay, thanks to a too many men call, making it 4-1 for Victoria. Yet another powerplay goal half way through the middle frame and an even-strength goal late in the period left Edmonton down 6-1 after 40.

That was all the scoring Victoria needed as they cruised to the win outshooting Edmonton 31-25 in the game. Hamilton said every guy in the dressing room needs to be accountable for this loss.

"The 20 guys that take to the ice need to be ready to go. We've tried different lines starting the game. Goaltending needs to be sharp. Our defenders, everything. You can say we got better in the second or third but the other team has a 6-1 lead and I don't think they played as hard in the second and third as they did early."

Meanwhile off the ice left-winger Brett Pollock was part of a National Hockey League deal that went down on trade deadline day. The Sherwood Park, AB native was moved from the Dallas Stars, where he was a 2nd round pick (45th overall) in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, to the Calgary Flames in the Kris Russel deal just as the puck dropped in the Oil Kings game. Pollock was not informed of the deal until after the game.

"I was definitely surprised," said Pollock. "After the game Hammy (Steve Hamilton) told me I was part of a trade in the NHL. It hasn't really sunk in yet but I am excited to be going to a great organization."

Up next for the Oil Kings is a home game vs Medicine Hat this Friday at 7pm.

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