WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Shutout Tigers for Second Straight Win

Published on April 23, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings (15-1-0-1) got a 30-save shutout from Sebastian Cossa on Thursday night as they defeated the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers (12-4-0-1) 3-0 at the Downtown Community Arena.

"It's a good rebound game for him," said Oil Kings Head Coach Brad Lauer on his goaltender. "Credit to him for leaving it (last game) behind him, he approached this game strong mentally, made some big saves for us at the right time and he's having a great year for us this year, it's great to see."

Providing the offensive spark for the team was the top-line trio of Jake Neighbours, Josh Williams and Kaid Oliver as they factored in on all three Edmonton goals, combining for seven points. Williams finished the night with a goal and two assists against his former team.

"Playing with Jake and Kaid, it's really easy," said Williams on his line's success. "They're both great players, Jake is one of the best playmakers in this entire league. Playing with those guys is a treat and they make it really easy on me."

"Having a player like Willy on our line is really important," said Neighbours on Williams. "He's got an incredible shot, he's in the right place all the time to be available for passes. Having that shooter presence on the right-wing is really important and he's having a good year and is playing really well for us."

Neighbours, meanwhile, found the back of the net night twice, both opening and closing the scoring in the game. He has now registered at least one point in all 16 games he's played this year.

"I've been fortunate enough to play with some really good players over that span of games," said Neighbours on his personal success. "Coming into my 17-year-old year I had a lot more comfortability with Brad (Lauer) trusting me with a lot more opportunity and I think I took it and ran, and it's continued on into this year."

Another determined first period from the Oil Kings staked them to a 2-0 lead for a second straight game. Neighbours opened the scoring 5:18 into the contest with his seventh goal of the campaign as he was able to speed through neutral ice, burn past a Medicine Hat defenceman in the left-wing circle and drove the puck to the net stuffing it past Garin Bjorklund. The Oil Kings added to their lead 8:03 later with Josh Williams taking a pass in the left-circle from Kaid Oliver and elevated a quick shot over the left-shoulder of Bjorklund for his 10th goal of the season. The Tigers got a late power-play in the frame but would be stymied by Cossa in their attempts to chew into the Oil Kings lead.

The second period saw both goaltenders take the spotlight. Bjorklund turned away all 13 shots he faced from the Oil Kings, while Cossa at the other end neutralized the Tigers attack, kicking out the 12 pucks flung his way to preserve the Oil Kings 2-0 lead heading into the second intermission.

The Oil Kings finally broke through on Bjorklund for their third goal of the game just 1:46 into the final period with Neighbours collecting his second of the night. Ethan Cap picked up the puck on the left-side of the Tigers zone, just inside the blueline, feathered a shot towards the net that took a double-deflection off Bjorklund and right to Neighbours who muscled the puck into the back of the net from in tight. Any thought of a comeback for the Tigers was snuffed out by a lack of discipline as they were penalized three times, including a five-minute major, halfway through the third period.

The Oil Kings finished the night 0-for-5 on the power-play, while the penalty kill was a perfect 3-for-3 against the Tigers' league best power-play.

These two teams tangle again on Saturday night down in Medicine Hat at 7 PM.

Notes:

Ethan Cap skated in his 281st career game as an Oil King moving him into sole possession of second all-time for games played in franchise history. He also recorded his 62nd career assist, moving him into 10th all-time in franchise history for assists amongst defenceman.

Jake Neighbours extended his point streak to 16 games with two goals (8G, 20A).

Kaid Oliver extended his point streak to six games with two assists (4G, 4A).

Josh Williams extended his point streak to three games with a goal and two assists (2G, 4A).

Sebastian Cossa made 30 saves for his third shutout of the season and seventh of his career.

The Oil Kings fired a season high 52 shots on net.

The Oil Kings are 3-0-0-0 against Medicine Hat this year and are 12-2-0-1 over their past three seasons against the Tigers.

Check out the Edmonton Oil Kings Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Western Hockey League Stories from April 23, 2021


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.

OurSports Central