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WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Penalty Problems Prove Insurmountable as Oil Kings Fall to Hurricanes

September 29, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


It was a third period to forget for the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Place.

After twice battling back from one-goal deficits in the second, the Oil Kings (2-1-1-0) surrendered a pair of power play goals in the game's final five minutes, falling 5-2 to the Lethbridge Hurricanes (2-1-0-1) in front of 4,388 fans at Rogers Place on Sunday evening.

It was the first regulation loss of the season for the Oil Kings, who were undefeated through their five pre-season games, followed by two wins to start the regular season then Friday's overtime loss in Calgary.

Special teams all but sealed the Oil Kings fate on Sunday, as the late penalties taken by the home side allowed Lethbridge to go 2-for-4 on the power play, while the Oil Kings failed to convert on any of their four attempts with the man advantage.

Todd Scott (1-1-1-0) suffered his first regulation loss since February 15, 2019 - a span of nine games dating back to the 2018-19 regular season and subsequent playoffs - allowing five goals on 30 shots.

Bryan Thomson (2-0-0-0) made 24 saves on 26 shots to capture the win.

The Hurricanes took a 1-0 lead at 9:05 of the first period, which proved to be the lone goal of the opening frame.

Soon after puck drop in the second Vladimir Alistrov notched his first goal of the season, assisted by Carter Souch, just 1:31 in to make it a 1-1 game.

The Oil Kings looked poised to take their first lead of the afternoon after the Hurricanes were called for a checking to the head minor, but instead it was Dylan Cozens who capitalized on a shorthanded breakaway - unassisted - to give Lethbridge the 2-1 edge at 9:08.

But the Oil Kings showed life at the end of the second period, once again erasing a one-goal deficit to tie the game, this time 2-2. Riley Sawchuk tallied his third of the season, beating Thomson on a shot from beneath the goal line, assisted by Jake Neighbours and Josh Williams to round out the first 40 minutes.

Shots on goal in the first favoured the Hurricanes 10-5, and were 12-12 in the middle frame for a two-period total of 22-17.

In the third, the Oil Kings were called for hooking roughly five minutes in, but managed to stave off the Hurricanes power play.

Past the midway point Cozens played spoiler once again, restoring the Lethbridge lead for the third time in the game to make it 3-2 for the visitors.

The game officially became out of reach for the Oil Kings when they surrendered two more two-minute minors within a 1:15 span inside the last five minutes of play. Oil Kings penalties were whistled at 16:10 and 17:25, and the Hurricanes two insurance goals came at 16:54 and 17:44.

Final shots on goal were 30-26, Lethbridge, which included 9-8 Edmonton in the third.

Lethbridge was 2-for-4 on the power play while Edmonton finished the game 0-for-4 with the man advantage.

Riley Sawchuk (EDM) (3), Oliver Okuliar (LET) (2), and Dylan Cozens (LET) (1) were selected as the Three Stars of the Game.

Wyatt McLeod, Matthew Robertson and Ethan Cap each wore an "A" and skated as alternate captains to Scott Atkinson.

The Oil Kings now embark on a five-game road trip beginning Tuesday, October 2 when they face the Swift Current Broncos at 7:00 PM MT. Their next home game at Rogers Place is Saturday, October 12 when they host the Calgary Hitmen at 7:00 PM MT.

EOK365 Season Seat Memberships, Five-Star Plans, Flex Packs and single game tickets are available for every Edmonton Oil Kings game this season. Ticket packages start at just $99 per seat, and single game tickets are as low as $20. Call 780-414-GOAL (4625), email sales@oilkings.ca or visit OilKings.ca for more information.

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