Photo by Brandi Crowe
Edmonton, AB (CKLQ) – The Edmonton Oil Kings regained sole possession of first place in the Central Division with a 7-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday night.
It was another tough start for the Wheat Kings who found themselves down 1-0 midway through the first period. After coming up empty-handed on an early powerplay, Vinny Iorio took a cross-checking penalty and sent the Oil Kings to the man advantage.
On the ensuing powerplay, Andrew Fyten snapped home his 18th of the year to open the scoring.
With just 0:27 left in the period, the European connection weaved into the zone and Andrei Pavlenko finished off a nice passing play to put the Oil Kings up 2-0.
The Oil Kings continued to roll in the 2nd period, scoring three times in a span of 4:15, jumping out to a 5-0 lead midway through the hockey game.
Brandon had a quick start to the 2nd period, outshooting the Oil Kings 5-1 before Edmonton turned on the afterburners and dominated possession for the majority of the period.
Ethan Kruger came on in relief for Jiri Patera after the 5th Oil Kings goal. Patera, who was making his 9th straight start made 23 saves on 28 shots. Kruger finished with 15 saves on 18 shots.
Edmonton kept the onslaught coming into the third period as they scored twice just 5:07 into the frame to open up a 7-0 lead.
Brandon would spoil the shutout bid for Dylan Myskiw as Caiden Daley scored his 2nd goal in as many games to put Brandon on the board, but it was a close to a comeback as the Wheat Kings could muster. Myskiw earned his 2nd straight victory, making 17 saves.
One night after dressing 11 forwards and 7 defensemen, Brandon shifted Jonny Lambos to the fourth line where took several shifts as a forward. It was the first time in his WHL career he had spent time up front.
Brandon will load up and travel to Cranbrook tonight and begin preparations for their final meeting with the Kootenay ICE before the relocate to Winnipeg next season. That game takes place Tuesday night at Western Financial Place. (8:00 MB on QCountry Radio)
SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
EOK – Andrew Fyten (18) (Fix-Wolansky, MacDonald) 6:09 PPG
EOK – Andrei Pavlenko (9) (Alistrov, McLeod) 19:32
Shots: 15-5 Edmonton
2nd PERIOD
EOK – Carter Souch (10) (Loschiavo, Gavlas) 5:25
EOK – David Kope (14) (Fix-Wolansky, Gavlas) 8:14
EOK – Wyatt McLeod (4) (Williams) 9:40
Shots: 17-12 Edmonton
3rd PERIOD
EOK – Vince Loschiavo (31) (Souch, Gavlas) 2:10
EOK – Quinn Benjafield (13) (Souch, Robertson) 5:07
BWK – Caiden Daley (8) (Chizen, Nychuk) 7:56
Final Shots: 45-29 Edmonton
