GAME SUMMARY: Oil Kings edged by Hitmen
Edmonton, AB – The Edmonton Oil Kings dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to the Calgary Hitmen Saturday afternoon at Rogers Place in their final home game of the 2022-23 season.
BOX SCORE | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTOS
In the first period, the Hitmen outshot the Oil Kings 17-10 and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The lone goal of the frame came off the stick of Calgary captain Riley Fiddler-Schultz, who was able to knock home a centering pass from Oliver Tulk on a Hitmen power play, with just over five minutes left in the period.
The Oil Kings were not without their chances at the Calgary net, but Hitmen goaltender Brayden Peters was up to the task to keep his team ahead after one period.
In the second period, the Oil Kings were able to get an early equalizer from Mason Finley, his 15th goal of the season and fourth in his last three games, as he tipped a point-shot from Reid Larson through the legs of Peters.
Later in the period, the Hitmen looked to restore their lead after Fiddler-Schultz had seemingly setup Tyson Galloway for a backdoor tap-in, but Oil Kings goaltender Logan Cunningham was able reach out with the paddle of his goal stick and deflect the puck away just before it crossed the goal line.
Logan Cunningham of the @EdmOilKings has a save he'd like us to show you. pic.twitter.com/fjaEq0EhLp
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 25, 2023
That would be one of the 16 saves Cunningham made in the middle stanza as the two Clubs entered the second intermission still tied at one.
In the third period, Carter Yakemchuk restored the Calgary lead after shelfing a backhand shot in front of the Edmonton net 6:39 in.
The Oil Kings answered right back as less than a minute later, Ethan MacKenzie made a beautiful stretch pass to Loick Daigle at the Calgary blueline and the veteran Edmonton forward made no mistake to sift home his eighth goal of the season.
With just over 5:30 left in regulation time though, the Hitmen would get another goal from Yakemchuk on a power play and it would hold up as the difference in the game.
Cunningham finished the afternoon making 42 saves for the Oil Kings, while Peters made 23 for the Hitmen. Edmonton went 0-for-3 on the power play, Calgary was 2-for-3.
Next up, the Oil Kings finish their season tomorrow afternoon at the Saddledome when they once again take on the Calgary Hitmen at 1:00 p.m.
Thank you, Edmonton Oil Kings fans, for another great year of hockey and Family Fun at Rogers Place, we can’t wait to see you again in September!
Head to oilkings.ca/seasonseats to secure your spot in #TheKingdom next season!
