WHL Edmonton Oil Kings

Spokane Loves Playing Edmonton On Valentine's Day

Published on February 14, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release


Spokane, WA - The Edmonton Oil Kings one and only game against the defending Memorial Cup Champs is one that they'll want to erase from their memories in a hurry. The Spokane Chiefs came up with their highest offensive output of the season in an 11 - 2 win over the Oil Kings. Levko Koper, Jared Spurgeon, Ondrej Roman, Tyler Johnson and Drayson Bowman all had 3 point nights in a game dominated by one of the hottest teams in the WHL. Spokane has now won 15 of their last 17 games.

The Chiefs got the early jump just 94 seconds into the contest. 3 Albertans combined for Spokane's first goal including a pair of Edmontonians. Levko Koper worked the puck back to the point for Jared Spurgeon. The younger brother of Oilers' prospect Tyler Spurgeon slid a pass along the blue line to his defense partner Brett Bartman. The Medicine Hat product ripped a shot that got by a screened Cam Lanigan. The home team meant business.

The Oil Kings didn't help themselves with a couple of early penalties either. Spokane made quick work of their first powerplay of the game. Spurgeon picked up his second assist of the game when he passed the puck over to Drayson Bowman. The Carolina Hurricanes' third round draft pick ripped a shot high on the near side for his 29th of the year. It was 2 nothing for the home team just over 3 minutes into the hockey game.

Spokane made it 3 nothing before the first period was through. A bad turn over in Edmonton's zone ended up in the net behind rookie goalie Cam Langian. Tyler Johnson let a backhand go from the low slot for his 18th of the season. The defending Memorial Cup Champions weren't showing any signs of letting up.

The Oil Kings managed to get on the board before the first period was through thanks to some hard work from rookie Michael Burns and co-captain Jeff Lee. Lee caused a turn over and Burns had a little bit of room to skate the puck out of the corner for the first shot. That was stopped but Burns buried his own rebound as he was being knocked down by the Chiefs defense. Burns' second of the season made it 3 - 1.

Spokane regained their three goal lead before the period was through. Drayson Bowman spotted a streaking Ondrej Roman and the two connected on a pass from one blue line to the other. Roman had a step on the defense and fought off the check of Drew Nichol and was able to chip one by Lanigan. The Dallas Stars prospect has 6 goals in 16 games since re-joining his team past the midway point of the season. It was 4 - 1 heading into the first intermission.

Levko Koper made it a multiple point game for himself just 69 seconds into the middle frame. His wrist shot from the top of the circle may have deflected off defenseman Jesse Pearson stick and then off the post and in. Koper's 18th of the season made it 5 - 1.

Spurgeon made it a 3 point night with his 10th of the season a couple of minutes later to end Cam Lanigan's night. 15 year old Laurent Brossoit would finish the game for his first taste of WHL action.

Blake Gal, Bowman with his second of the game and 30th of the season, Tyler Johnson and Dustin Donaghy with a pair rounded out the scoring for the Chiefs while Brett Breitkreuz tipped in his 19th of the season in the third period to make the final score 11 - 2. The 11 goals against is the most given up in one game in modern franchise history.

The Oil Kings record slips to 25-31-2-4 and they'll return home for a few days rest and practice before they head to Prince George next weekend for a pair of games against the Cougars. Those will be games six and seven of Edmonton's 7 game road trip. The next game at Rexall Place is not until February 25th. That's another Weiner Wednesday against the Red Deer Rebels featuring $2 hot dogs all night.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2009


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