GAME SUMMARY: Williams hat-trick powers Oil Kings to fifth straight win
Edmonton, AB – The Edmonton Oil Kings (5-0-0-0) got a hat-trick from Josh Williams and a 33-save shutout from Sebastian Cossa as they blanked the Red Deer Rebels (2-4-2-0) 5-0 on Friday night.
Josh Williams scored in each period to record his second career Western Hockey League hat-trick. His first goal came just 1:28 into the game as he buried a rebound on an early power play. In the second period, he would score at the five-minute mark on yet another power play, this time a one-timer from the high slot. He’d turn the trick with just six seconds left in regulation as he toe-dragged around a defender on a two-on-one rush and lasered a shot past Rebels goaltender Ethan Anders from the left circle.
“Josh played well for us tonight,” said Oil Kings Head Coach Brad Lauer. “He was really good on the power play, does a great job supporting and getting away from pressure. He’s another guy that can really shoot the puck, when he has the shot-first mentality he can be dangerous for us. Sometimes he wants to make plays instead of shooting it, but it was nice to see him shooting it tonight.”
The Oil Kings power play was once again the driving force for getting the team some early momentum as they went three-for-seven on the man-advantage in the opening 40 minutes, marking the fifth straight game the power play has scored at least a goal.
“I think it’s our attitude,” added Lauer on the strength of his team’s power play. “We have the attack mentality first, and that’s important for us. We don’t want to try and pass the puck in the net and I think we’ve done a good job at not doing that and attacking instead. It helps with having a lot of returning players and the skill we have that’s executing.”
Dylan Guenther would continue his offensive mastery to start the season with another multi-goal performance, his fourth of the year. His first goal came on a first-period power play as he one-timed a cross-ice pass from Jake Neighbours. His second came off a fortuitous bounce in the third period, having a pass deflect off a Rebels player’s skate and into the net.
The Rebels had some good looks throughout the night at five-on-five but were stymied at each turn by another rock-solid performance by Cossa in the Oil Kings crease.
Liam Keeler skated in his 200th career WHL game, all spent in an Oil Kings uniform. He had another steady performance for the team in the middle of the ice, going 11-for-21 in the faceoff circle.
“It’s quite an accomplishment in the Western Hockey League,” said Lauer. “It’s a credit to him, he’s put a lot of work in and has done a lot of good things for us these last few years, he’s earned the milestone.”
The Oil Kings are back in action Saturday night when they head down to Red Deer to once again take on the Rebels at 6 PM. Catch the game right here on oilkings.ca/radio.
Notes:
- Liam Keeler became just the 25th player in Oil Kings modern franchise history to play 200 games in an Oil Kings uniform.
- Sebastian Cossa recorded his fifth career shutout, moving him into sole possession of third all-time in modern franchise history, trailing only Tristan Jarry (17) and Laurent Brossoit (10).
- Dylan Guenther continues to lead the WHL in goal scoring as he now has eight on the season.
- Josh Williams, along with his hat-trick, notched an assist, marking his second career four-point game.
- Jake Neighbours had a pair of assists in the win and has now recorded at least a point in all five games this year (2G, 7A).
- Kaid Oliver extended his point streak to six games (3G, 9A), dating back to last season, with an assist.
- Blake Heward recorded his first career WHL point with a third period assist.
- The Oil Kings are off to just their second-ever 5-0-0-0 start to a season in modern franchise history.
- The Oil Kings have now won 12 straight games vs. the Red Deer Rebels.
