Williams Hat-Trick Not Enough as Oil Kings Lose a Wild One in Regina
Published on December 27, 2021 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
Regina, SK - The Edmonton Oil Kings (22-7-2-1) dropped a 6-5 back and forth affair to the Regina Pats (13-16-0-0) on Monday night at the Brandt Centre to open their season-long seven game road trip.
The Oil Kings and Pats showed no signs of rust, at least offensively, in their respective returns from the WHL's holiday break as they combined for six goals in the opening 20 minutes.
Jalen Luypen staked Edmonton to an early lead 3:15 into the game as he was sent in on a two-on-one rush, thanks to a perfect lead feed from Braeden Wynne, and from the left circle he lasered a shot over the shoulder of Regina netminder Matthew Kieper for his third goal in as many games.
The Oil Kings then extended their lead at 9:57 of the opening frame when Josh Williams finished off a beautiful tic-tac-toe passing play between himself, Luypen and Carter Souch for his team leading 16th goal of the year.
As quickly as the Pats got down two goals, they got it all back and then some, even quicker. Just 43 seconds after the Williams goal, Regina pulled to with one after Brayden Barnett tipped home his first career WHL goal off a Jakob Brook point-shot. Just 33 seconds after that, the game was tied after Layton Feist snapped his stick on a one-timer from the right-wing circle turning his attempted shot into a perfect backdoor pass to Drew Englot.
The Pats took the lead at 14:50 of the period after Braxton Whitehead was able to stuff in a loose puck during a goal-mouth scramble. Before the period was out, Feist, who had already notched three assists in the period, ripped home a shot from the top of the left circle.
The offence kept coming early in the second period with both teams tacking on a pair of goals each in the opening 6:36 of the middle stanza.
Just 49 ticks into the period, Williams scored his second of the night after elevating a backhand shot under the bar from the bottom of the left-wing circle with his team shorthanded to bring the Oil Kings back within a goal. The Pats had a quick response however, as still on the same power play, Tom Cadieux feathered in a point-shot to restore the two-goal advantage for the home side. The Pats then extended the lead to three at 3:26 of the frame with Ryker Evans sneaking behind the Edmonton defence and zipping a shot just inside the far post from the right circle.
At 6:36 of the period, Luypen grabbed his second of the night for the Oil Kings as he lifted the puck top-shelf from in tight after a nifty setup by Williams.
Both teams settled in defensively after that and the Pats maintained their 6-4 lead into the second intermission.
In the third period, the Oil Kings were able to draw back to a one-goal deficit after Williams completed his fifth career hat-trick after he was able to nudge a puck across the goal line at 9:07 of the third period but that would be as close as Edmonton would get.
Alex Worthington made 22 saves in the losing cause, while Kieper recorded 29 saves for the Pats. The Oil Kings went one-for-two on the power play, Regina was one-for-three.
Next up, the Oil Kings pay a visit to Moose Jaw to take on the Warriors tomorrow night at 6:00 PM, you listen to the game live at oilkings.ca/radio.
HIGHLIGHTS
NOTES:
Josh Williams is now on a four-game point streak (5G, 6A).
Carter Souch is now on a three-game point streak (3G, 3A).
Jalen Luypen is now on a three-game point streak (4G, 2A).
Edmonton Oil Kings Season Seats, Flex-Packs, Weekend Passes and Single-Game tickets, for as low as $20 per game, are currently on sale at oilkings.ca.
The Oil Kings next home game is Tuesday, January 11 when they welcome the Prince Albert Raiders to Rogers Place at 7:00 PM.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2021
- Williams Hat-Trick Not Enough as Oil Kings Lose a Wild One in Regina - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Raiders Drop First Game After Holiday Break - Prince Albert Raiders
- Letter to the Fans - Brandon Wheat Kings
- ICE Sign Cooper, Moore & Stenvig, Recall Stenvig - Winnipeg Ice
- Western Hockey League Update on COVID-19 Protocol List - WHL
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- Cougars Acquire Defenceman Jonas Brøndberg from Portland Winterhawks - Prince George Cougars
- Tigers Trade Svejkovsky for Picks - Medicine Hat Tigers
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- Royals Close out the Year with Series against Giants - Victoria Royals
- Game 32 - ICE at Brandon - Winnipeg Ice
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- Game #30 Preview: Blades at Raiders - Saskatoon Blades
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