GAME SUMMARY: Boyko Brings the Bears
Edmonton, AB – Noah Boyko became the 14th Oil King in franchise history to record the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss goal after he found the back of the net in the third period, but it would be the visiting Red Deer Rebels picking up a 5-2 win at Rogers Place on Saturday night.
BOX SCORE | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTOS
The Rebels outshot the Oil Kings 16-5 in the first period but had to settle for just a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes of play.
Kai Uchacz was able to momentarily quiet the near capacity crowd at Rogers Place after he one touched home a pass in front of the Edmonton net from Kalan Lind on a Red Deer power play at the 12:48 mark of the first period.
In the second period, the Oil Kings found their legs and outshot the Rebels 11-7 but neither team would be able to change the goal column.
The Oil Kings best chances in the period came off the stick of Marshall Finnie who rang the post on an odd-man rush and then Rhett Melnyk was robbed by Red Deer netminder Kyle Kelsey a short-time later after he pumped a one-timer on net off a nifty below-the-goal-line setup by Gavin Hodnett.
In the third period, the Rebels took a 2-0 lead thanks to a power play goal from Craig Armstrong just under five minutes into the third period.
At the 8:09 mark of the third period, Boyko etched his name in the Oil Kings history book as he stuffed home a backdoor pass from Finnie to send 13,111 bears flying onto the ice. The total bears collected is the fifth most in Oil Kings franchise history.
After the bears were cleaned up, it would be the Rebels taking over the game getting goals from Jayden Grubbe, Hunter Mayo and Arjun Bawa to put the game out of reach.
Before the final horn, Braeden Wynne was able to snap a point-shot over the shoulder of Kelsey and in for his first career WHL goal.
Kolby Hay finished the night making 30 saves for the Oil Kings, while Kelsey turned in 23 saves for the Rebels. Edmonton went 0-for-4 on the power play, Red Deer was 3-for-4.
Next up, the Oil Kings are on the road for a Wednesday night tilt with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, puck drop is set for 7:00 P.M. You can listen to the game at oilkings.ca/radio.
The Edmonton Oil Kings next home game is Friday, December 16 when they play host the Swift Current Broncos at 7:00 P.M.
Edmonton Oil Kings Season Seats, Flex-Packs, Weekend Passes and Single-Game Tickets are on-sale now! Head to oilkings.ca to secure your seat in #TheKingdom.
