King of Kings
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Edmonton, AB - Michael St.Croix posted his sixth career hat trick en route to a four goal game as the Oil Kings took an 8-1 victory over the Regina Pats on Sunday afternoon. St.Croix became only the second Oil King in the modern era of the franchise to notch four goals in one game and the first to score all four on the power play.
After a slow start in the first St.Croix opened the scoring in the second period with a bad angle shot from the bottom of the face off circle. Edmonton started to carry the momentum as TJ Foster added a second power play goal off a rebound in the slot minutes later to make it a 2-0 game midway through the period.
Edmonton carried the 2-0 lead into the third where St.Croix took advantage of another power play 45 seconds in, banking a shot in through a crowd in front of the net to record his second of the game. The Pats would then break the Laurent Brossoit shut out bid under two minutes later as they notched a 3-1 goal off the stick of Stephen Hak.
Some tense moments would follow before the Oil Kings were finally able to open the flood gates. In a bizarre play St.Croix ripped a shot from the top of the slot that appeared to ricochet off the crossbar and out. After a few minutes of continued play in which St.Croix nearly scored again - the shot was revealed to have been a goal after video review. After resetting the clock St.Croix's hat trick goal went down on the score sheet as a power play goal with 12:25 left in the third.
Klarc Wilson tipped home a feed from Dylan Wruck in front of the net to make it a 5-1 lead at the midway point of the third. The assist was Wruck's fourth of the night as he moved to 13th in the WHL scoring race with 43 points.
St.Croix was not finished as he tallied his fourth power play goal from the hashmarks with a wrist shot. This matched Foster for the only four goal game in modern franchise history recorded earlier this season in Calgary. The line of St.Croix, Foster and Wruck totalled 12 points with six goals and six assists.
Edmonton's power play was an amazing 5 for 7 on the night while the penalty kill went a perfect 4 for 4. The Oil Kings have the best power play in the WHL at 29.0% as well as the league's best penalty kill with a lethal 92.0% success rate. St.Croix's 13 power play goals lead the WHL while Wruck moves into the league lead with 20 power play assists. The Kings have not allowed a power play goal against in their last five games.
Brandon Baddock and Foster would add the extras for the Oil Kings as they went on to a dominant 8-1 victory. Edmonton's record moved to 22-7-2-3 on the season as they remain a point behind the Hitmen for first in the Eastern Conference.
VIEW LIVE BLOG RECAP / GAME DAY PHOTO GALLERY
Up next the Oil Kings will try to wrap things up in style prior to the WHL Christmas break as they take on the Calgary Hitmen on Tuesday in Calgary. It promises to be another spirited affair in the WHL Battle of Alberta. Game time is 7 p.m. from the Saddledome. All games this season will be broadcast live on the TEAM 1260 and streamed live at WHL.ca.
The Oil Kings will return to Rexall Place following the WHL Christmas break on Thursday, December 27th. It will be the first game of a home and home with the Red Deer Rebels.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are available at OILKINGS.CA, at the Rexall Place Box Office or at Ticketmaster outlets. For more information on season seats or flex packs, call 780-414-GOAL (4625). The Oil Kings 2012-13 season is presented by JLT, Insurance & Risk Management.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Season Seat Holders are reminded that the Never Waste A Ticket program has changed. There are only two games remaining in the first segment of the season! You may redeem any unused tickets from the start of the season through Friday, December 27th by Monday, December 31st. You'll be able to redeem second half unused tickets from January until the end of the regular season. It is recommended that fans drop by the Ticket Office at TELUS Field during regular business hours to avoid the game day rush. You can also call an Oil Kings customer experience representative at (780) 414-GOAL (4625) to choose your games and arrange for a speedy pick-up on game day.
The Oil Kings are offering a $150 Oil Kings Holiday Pack presented by JOE FM! Each package includes 8 flex tickets, a replica WHL Championship Ring and an Oil Kings toque! These are available until December 31, 2012 and can be purchased at oilkings.ca
PURCHASE HOLIDAY PACK
