Top Left Header
Header
Sports
Arrow
Columnists
Arrow
NHL Columnists
Arrow
Follow OurHometown.ca on... Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on RSS Follow Us with E-Mail Updates!
Hitmen hand Oil Kings their first loss of the season
By Rob Soria
OurHometown.ca

Hitmen hand Oil Kings their first loss of the season
After having little trouble in their opening three games of the 2012-2013 campaign, the Edmonton Oil Kings finally met their match, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Calgary Hitmen on Friday night at Rexall Place. The loss ended the defending WHL champs regular season winning streak at 14 games.
PHOTO CREDIT - OilKings.ca

Edmonton - September 29, 2012 - After having little trouble in their opening three games of the 2012-2013 campaign, the Edmonton Oil Kings finally met their match, dropping a 4-1 decision to the Calgary Hitmen on Friday night at Rexall Place. Brooks Macek led the way upfront with a pair of assists, while goaltender Chris Driedger stopped thirty-four of the thirty-five shots fired his way, improving Calgary's record to a perfect 3-0 and pushing them past the Oil Kings into first place in the WHL's Central Division.

Edmonton had made a habit of scoring early in their previous three outings but this one would be different, as the visitors would jump out to the early lead. Pavlo Padakin would pickup a loose puck, just outside the Oil Kings blueline and make his way, untouched, to the front of the Edmonton net, before beating Laurent Brossoit with a nifty little backhand, just before the six minute mark.

This was uncharted territory for defending Western Hockey League champs, as they had yet to trail in any of their three games. After holding Edmonton off the scoreboard in the first, Calgary would stretch their lead to a pair, early in period two.

With only seconds remaining in defenceman Aaron Irving's elbowing minor, Brooks Macek would pick up his first point of the night, thanks to a little hard work and a timely finish from Greg Chase. Macek drove hard to Oil Kings net, forcing Brossoit to stop his initial shot on goal but Chase was in the right place and the right time, depositing the rebound behind the startled Edmonton tender, to make it a two goal bulge.

It could've have been worse, as Brossoit absolutely stoned Brady Brassart with a brilliant pad save on a two-on-one break, to keep the deficit at two. That seemed to give the Oil Kings some life, as T.J. Foster would score for the second straight game, to cut the lead in half. Foster drove down the left-side, before beating Driedger high on the short side, with a perfectly placed shot, for his second on the season.

Suddenly, Edmonton had the momentum heading into the dressing room for the intermission but Calgary wasted little time restoring their two goal cushion in the third. Brassart would atone for his early missed opportunity, sliding home a rebound under Brossoit, at the twenty-eight second mark, to make it a 3-1 game...taking out whatever wind was left in the Oil Kings sail.

Carson Samoridny would ice it, with an empty netter late in third, to make it a 4-1 final. Give Calgary credit, as they played a very simple road game and waited for Edmonton to make mistakes and pounced when they were given the opportunity.

In fairness to the Oil Kings, at some point...this loss was coming. After winning fourteen consecutive regular season contests, dating back to their 11-0 run to closeout the 2011-2012 campaign, it was only a matter of time. Unfortunately for them, it came at the hands of their division and provincial rival.

Next up for the Oil Kings, will be the Prince Albert Raiders on Thursday October 4th, at Rexall Place. Giving head coach Derek Laxdal more than enough time, to refocus his group, after a less than stellar performance.

Follow Me on TwitterRob Soria is the Edmonton Oilers' correspondent for OurHometown.ca. Rob was born and raised in Edmonton and is the author of the Edmonton Oilers blog - OilDrop.ca. He has been a dedicated follower of the game and its history for years but his focus remains on his hometown Edmonton Oilers. If you have questions or wish to contact Rob, you can email him at rsoria@ourhometown.ca


Follow OurHometown.ca on... Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow us on RSS Follow Us with E-Mail Updates!
Send Us Your Thoughts


Title - Story Count
8,402 Stories & Growing Daily...

To date OurHometown.ca has posted a total of 8,402 stories! News, sports, hockey, lifestyle, opinion and more!

Be sure to check out our Contributors and Columnists archives!


Title - More OH Headlines
Click on Photo or Story Title for more info
Detroit Grand Prix Canceled for 2020
Team Canada will not send athletes to Games in summer 2020 due to COVID-19 risks
NBA to suspend season following Wednesday
Lyn St. James to Race in Historic Trans-Am Series at the 2020 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
2019 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Fast Facts
OurHometown.ca News Database Last Updated:
Jan. 28, 2024 @ 1:06 PM EST





Footer
Free Sitemap Generator