Sports stats



WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Oilers Prospects Power Tigers Past Oil Kings

October 15, 2010 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - A pair of Edmonton Oilers prospects had big performances on Friday night at Rexall Place, but unfortunately for the Edmonton Oil Kings, they were playing for the Medicine Hat Tigers, who cruised to a 7-1 victory.

Tigers goalie Tyler Bunz made 30 saves to earn the win, while centre Tyler Pitlick chipped in with three assists, to lead Medicine Hat to their dominant victory over Edmonton. Both Bunz and Pitlick are Oilers 2010 NHL draft picks, as Bunz was picked in the fifth round and Pitlick went in the second round.

Contrary to what the final score would indicate, the Oil Kings had a strong start to Friday's Western Hockey League tilt, outshooting the Tigers 7-1 midway through the first. But Medicine Hat scored three times in the final six minutes of the period and poured it on from there to win by six, putting a decisive end to the Oil Kings' modern franchise record five-game winning streak.

"We played well for 10 minutes when they had their bus legs, but they got a couple goals on us and our guys just deflated," Oil Kings head coach Derek Laxdal said. "We've got to get goaltending and we've got to get guys to compete. There's going to be long nights until they learn that lesson, and it's our job as coaches to get these guys ready. Medicine Hat is a good hockey club, but we have to stay more composed."

Cole Grbavac was Friday's first star for Medicine Hat, and deservingly so, as he scored a pair of goals and added an assist. Kale Kessy also tallied a pair for the Tigers, while Thomas Carr, Matthew Konan and Emerson Etem rounded out the scoring with one goal apiece. In addition to Pitlick's three-assist performance, Hunter Shinkaruk was also all over the game sheet with three helpers.

The Oil Kings spoiled Bunz's shutout with nine minutes left in the third period, as fellow Oilers draft pick, right winger Cam Abney, snuck a shot under the goalie's arm. The home side's lone goal cut the Tigers' lead to 6-1 at the time, with Colton Stephenson and Mark Pysyk earning assists.

Friday's game against Medicine Hat was the Oil Kings' last home game for a week, as they play the Tigers again in Medicine Hat on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., the Broncos in Swift Current on Sunday at 7 p.m., and the Ice in Kootenay on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Oil Kings are set to host the Kamloops Blazers on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m., and it's Free Toque Night at Rexall Place, as the first 1,500 fans will receive a complimentary Oil Kings toque.

Individual game tickets for all Oil Kings home games are on sale now and start at just $15 in the ATB Financial Zone. Season seats start at less than $9 per game, with the addition of some new Mini-Packs and Flex Plans this season as well. Tickets are available at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at oilkings.ca, or by calling 780-414-GOAL (4625).

Check out the Edmonton Oil Kings Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from October 15, 2010


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