Oil Kings Suffer First Loss
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Edmonton, AB - The Oil Kings suffered their first loss of the season on Friday night dropping a 4-1 decision to the visiting Hitmen. Edmonton looked out of sync early as a costly miscue resulted in a goal for Ukrainian import Pavlo Padakin. Edmonton struggled when trailing for the first time in four games and were out shot 11-9 in the first.
The second period would bring on the rough stuff with a total 20 minutes in minor and double minor penalties dished out. Once again Calgary would add to their lead early in the period as Greg Chase found the puck on a scramble in the slot to make it a 2-0 game.
TJ Foster would answer back for the Oil Kings with under three minutes to play in the second. The 20-year old fearlessly took the puck to the blue paint and tucked home his second of the season before crashing into the net. Edmonton would then kill a penalty late in the second to keep the score 2-1 going into the final frame.
But Oil Kings momentum was once again stalled as Brady Brassart scored to make it a 3-1 lead less than 30 seconds into the third. The Kings then held off a furious Hitmen attack thanks to some solid goaltending from Laurent Brossoit. Brossoit had a solid night in net including 30 saves to keep the game close. The Hitmen would finally tap in an empty net goal to make it a 4-1 final.
"We knew coming in that they were a good hockey team and we didn't underestimate them." said Oil Kings Head Coach Derek Laxdal "It's not that we weren't ready for them, it's that we weren't ready to play."
Edmonton's record drops to 3-1-0-0 on the season as they are currently tied with the Hitmen for first in the Central Division. They will have a weekend off before preparing for a trio of games next week.
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Next up the Oil Kings will host the Prince Albert Raiders on Thursday, October 4th. Edmonton native and Chicago Blackhawks 1st round draft pick Mark McNeill will lead his Raiders into Rexall Place for the first time this season.
Game time is set for 7:00 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). All games this season will be broadcast live on the TEAM 1260 and streamed live at WHL.ca The Oil Kings 2012-13 season is presented by JLT, Insurance & Risk Management.
