Oil Kings bounce back to earn a weekend split with the Cougars
The Edmonton Oil Kings came out with a far more determined effort on Saturday evening at the CN Centre and the hard work paid off as the Oil Kings knocked off the Cougars 5-3 in WHL pre-season action.
Edmonton stormed out of the gate early and by the 14:12 mark of the opening period had built a 3-0 lead. Dale Hunt cut the Oil Kings advantage to two at 15:28 of the first but the momentum was short lived as Edmonton restored their three goal cushion with a power play marker just 2:11 later. Joel Danyluk got the start in goal and allowed 4 goals on 15 shots before being replaced by Kevin Armstrong to start the 2nd period.
The Cougars seemed to be sparked by the addition of Armstrong and they quickly shaved into the Edmonton lead just 1:35 into the 2nd period as Dana Tyrell finished a beautiful two on one shorthanded rush with his brother Corey Tyrell. Craig McCallum pushed the Oil Kings lead back up to 3 goals at 5-2 before the 2nd period would close. For McCallum it was his second of the night.
Prince George closed the gap to 5-3 early in the 3rd period as Corey Tyrell hit the score sheet with an unassisted goal a little over seven minutes in. Try as they might, Prince George could get no closer.
Kevin Armstrong was a rock for the Cougars once again as he turned aside 21 of the 22 shots he faced in relief of Danyluk. Cam Lanigan saw 22 shots in the Oil Kings goal, stopping 18 of them for the victory.
With the win the Oil Kings improved their pre-season record to 2-3-0-0 while the Cougars record now stands at an even 2-2-0-0.
The Cougars now have a few days off to regroup before facing the rival Kamloops Blazers in a pre-season home and home set. Prince George will host the first contest next Thursday, September 11th. This will be the Cougars final pre-season tune-up at the CN Centre. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.
