Tigers Tame Oil Kings 5-2
Published on January 5, 2011 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
Medicine Hat, AB - For the third time during the 2010-11 WHL season, the Medicine Hat Tigers got the better of the Edmonton Oil Kings, and also for the third time this season, it was a pair Edmonton Oilers draft picks leading the way.
The Central Division rivals squared off for the third time this season on Tuesday night at the Medicine Hat Arena, with the Tigers prevailing 5-2 on the strength of right-winger Tyler Pitlick and goalie Tyler Bunz - both 2010 Edmonton Oilers selections. Pitlick, a second-rounder, scored one goal and two assists on Tuesday, while Bunz, a fifth-round pick, backstopped the Tigers with 23 saves.
Oddly enough, it was the visiting Oil Kings who shook off their bus legs quickly and dominated the opening 10 minutes, outshooting the Tigers 9-3 midway through the first period. Bunz made his best saves of the night during this time, keeping the game scoreless until the home side's offence heated up.
Ryan Harrison opened the scoring with 8:06 left in the opening frame on the power play, with Pitlick assisting, for the lone goal of the period. The Oil Kings responded with 11 minutes to go in the middle frame as defenceman Marek Hrbas netted his third of the year from Adrian Van de Mosselaer and Michael St. Croix, who is now tied for fifth in the WHL in scoring with 50 points.
It was all Tigers after that, though, as they scored four straight goals to take a commanding 5-1 edge, with Pitlick, Reid Petryk, Wacey Hamilton and Linden Vey all beating Edmonton goalie Laurent Brossoit, who made 30 saves in a losing cause. Another Oilers draft pick, Cam Abney, scored his fourth of the year for the Oil Kings with five seconds left to round out the scoring.
The defeat was the Oil Kings' second in a row, as they fell 2-1 to another tough Central Division rival, the Kootenay Ice, on Sunday at Rexall Place. Edmonton is 19-18-0-2 on the season and sits in seventh in the Eastern Conference, one point back of the Swift Current Broncos in sixth.
The Oil Kings return to the friendly confines of Rexall Place on Saturday to battle the Regina Pats (13-20-5-1) at 7 p.m. It's Pink At The Rink Night in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation, as well as Ukrainian Night presented by Cheemo Perogies. CN Hockey Hooky is up next after that on Wednesday, Jan. 12 for a special 11:30 a.m. game against Kootenay.
Tickets to every Oil Kings home game are available starting at just $15 at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at oilkings.ca, or by calling 780-414-GOAL (4625).
Western Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2011
- Vancouver Giants Acquire Darren Bestland from Brandon - Vancouver Giants
- Campbell's Food Drive & Minor Sports/Jersey Night Vs. Chilliwack Bruins on Saturday, January 15 - Prince George Cougars
- George Reed to attend Raider Game January 12 - Prince Albert Raiders
- Muench Re-Assigned - Regina Pats
- "Winning at Life" Power Breakfast Tickets on Sale Now - Swift Current Broncos
- James Priestner Named Vaughn CHL Goalie of the Week - Prince George Cougars
- Cougars' James Priestner Named Vaughn CHL Goaltender of the Week - WHL
- Magee, Hodges Win Bronze at U17 - Chilliwack Bruins
- Tri-City Improves to 6-0 Vs. Seattle Behind 8-4 Win - Tri-City Americans
- Tigers Tame Oil Kings 5-2 - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Americans Double up T-Birds - Seattle Thunderbirds
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