WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Sourdif & Luypen Magic Gives Oil Kings Game 3 Win

Published on May 24, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings got a late goal from Jalen Luypen in the third period and a highlight-reel goal in overtime from Justin Sourdif as they came back to defeat the Winnipeg ICE 4-3 in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Championship series on Monday night at Rogers Place.

In the early going, Luke Prokop came within inches of getting the Oil Kings on the board after stepping into a drive from the top of the right-circle but had his offering clang off the cross-bar behind Winnipeg netminder Gage Alexander.

Later in the period, the Oil Kings would indeed strike first as for a third straight game in this series, it would be the home team opening the scoring after Dylan Guenther turned on the red light for the 12th time these playoffs at the 14:28 mark of the first period. After he had a heavy shot padded away by Gage Alexander, Logan Dowhaniuk tossed the rebound at the net and had the puck carom off of Jake Neighbours and back to Guenther who was waiting on the backdoor for the tap-in.

Before the period was out though, the ICE would equalize with their fifth power play goal of the series as off a faceoff, Connor McClennon spotted an open Jack Finley at the top of the Oil Kings' crease that he made no mistake in pushing to the back of the Edmonton net.

Shots in the first period were 13-5 in favour of the Oil Kings.

Just 2:12 into the second, the Oil Kings were able to retake the lead as Kaiden Guhle zipped a wrist shot towards the Winnipeg net from the blue line and had the puck tip off an ICE defenceman in front of Alexander and into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the post-season.

The Oil Kings would be granted three power plays and fire 21 shots the way of the Winnipeg net in the second period but could not beat Alexander for a second time in the middle frame, taking a 2-1 lead into the intermission.

In the third period, the ICE knotted the score exactly nine minutes in after Finley returned the first period favour for McClennon as just as a Winnipeg power play expired, he found McClennon with a backdoor pass that he one-timed home.

The ICE would then take their first lead of the game with just under three minutes left in regulation time after Zach Benson blasted home a slapshot, through a screen, from the top of the left-circle.

The Oil Kings however, were able to counter as with just over 60 seconds left in the game, Luypen redirected a point-shot from Guhle to send the game to overtime with his fourth goal of the playoffs.

In overtime, the Oil Kings and ICE traded early chances with both Cossa and Alexander coming up with remarkable saves to keep the game going and at 8:03 of overtime, Sourdif called game after taking a pass from Neighbours in the neutral zone, sprinting over the Winnipeg line, splitting their two defencemen and elevating a shot over the glove of Alexander to give the Oil Kings the win and 2-1 series lead.

Cossa finished the night making 18 saves for his 10th win of the playoffs, while Alexander turned in 51 saves in the Winnipeg paint. The Oil Kings went 0-for-4 on the power play, the ICE were 1-for-2.

Next up, the Oil Kings and ICE are back it for Game 4 of the series at 7:00 PM on Wednesday night at Rogers Place.

Edmonton Oil Kings Playoff Passes are on-sale now. For only $129/seat, you get access to every Oil Kings home playoff game. The more we play, the less you pay! To purchase, click here.

The Oil Kings next home game is Wednesday, May 25 when they welcome the Winnipeg ICE to Rogers Place at 7:00 PM for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Championship Series.

Join the conversation on social media by using #ChaseTheCrown for all your social media posts during the Oil Kings 2022 post-season run!

Check out the Edmonton Oil Kings Statistics

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



Western Hockey League Stories from May 24, 2022


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