WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Rebels win over Oil Kings

September 5, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Leduc, AB.: The Edmonton Oil Kings and Red Deer Rebels met for the second game, in as many nights. The scene shifted from Stettler to Leduc for The Battle in Oil Country, presented by ENMX. In Stettler, the Rebels got two goals from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, in the third period, to lead them to an exciting 5 - 4 shootout win over the Oil Kings. Twenty year old forward, Craig McCallum, scored two goals and had a three point night for Edmonton. The loss was the first of the exhibition season for the Oil Kings, who are now 3 - 1. Red Deer has yet to suffer a loss in the pre-season and are at 3 - 0.

Just over three minutes in, it's the Rebels who score first. Nathan Green picks off a pass at the Oil King blue line, walks in alone, and makes a great move to the backhand to beat Laurent Brossoit. Three minutes later, Red Deer makes it 2 - 0. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins digs it loose in the corner, and sets up Cody Espisito, just off the goal crease for the one time goal. Later, the Rebels exploit a two man advantage, when Nugent-Hopkins sets up Green in the slot. His low one timer finds the corner. The Oil Kings bounce back, Cam Maclise sets up TJ Foter in front. His wrister beats Kraymer Barnstable glove side, its 3 - 1 after one.

The Oil Kings get a power play opportunity in the first half of the second. Michael St. Croix sets up Foster in front for a quick shot that squeaks between Barnstable and the post. Fosters second goal makes it 3 - 2. The teams are four a side, when Nugent-Hopkins scores on a feed from Green. The two Rebel forwards both have four points, and Red Deer leads 4 - 2, after the second.

Less than two minutes into the third, the Oil Kings get sloppy behind their own net and turn it over. Brett Miller slips it to Turner Elson who deposits it quickly behind Brossoit. This one hurts, its 5 - 2. The Rebels add another power play goal, from John Persson, and win 6 - 2.

The Oil Kings final exhibition game is in Barrhead, against the Calgary Hitmen, on September 11th. The Oil Kings open the Regular Season at home against the Hitmen, September 19th, at 7:00 pm, at Rexall Place. You can get your seats by clicking the Tickets tab above. Check out all of our new ticket options.

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Western Hockey League Stories from September 5, 2009


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