RECAP: Oil Kings edged by Rebels
Edmonton, AB – The Edmonton Oil Kings had to settle for a weekend split with the Red Deer Rebels after dropping a 4-3 decision in their home opener at Rogers Place on Saturday night.
BOX SCORE | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTOS
A well defended first period by both Club’s saw the Oil Kings outshoot the Rebels 12-9 and featured just one goal as for a second straight night, it was Marshall Finnie breaking a scoreless deadlock.
With exactly one minute left in the opening 20, Finnie took a pass from John Szabo in front of the Red Deer net and after his first shot was stopped, he was able to muscle the rebound past Chase Wutzke for his third goal in as many games, dating back to last season.
The second period would see a four-goal barrage less than four minutes apart midway through the frame with both teams getting two each.
The Rebels tied the game 8:55 into the period on a power play goal from Jhett Larson and then just 1:05 later, Ollie Josephson gave Red Deer the lead with a hot shot from the left circle.
The visitor’s lead would be short lived however as just 37 seconds later Marc Lajoie collected his first goal as an Oil King after he grabbed a loose puck at center ice, skated to the top of the left-circle of the Red Deer zone, and lasered a wrist shot off the far post and in.
Less than two minutes later, the Oil Kings retook the lead after Finnie collected his second goal of the night, and third of the season, batting a rebound out of mid-air in front of the Red Deer net off a Lajoie point-shot.
The Oil Kings maintained their lead deep into the third period until a pair of late goals from the Rebels would prove to be the difference in the game. Talon Brigley evened the score at three after collecting a loose puck in front of the Edmonton net off a blocked shot and roofing it with 6:25 left in the game. Then, Kai Uchacz capped the comeback with 2:19 left on the clock after capitalizing on a rebound chance at the side of the Edmonton net.
Logan Cunningham made 32 saves in his first start of the season for the Oil Kings, while Chase Wutzke turned in 29 saves for the Rebels. Edmonton went 0-for-2 on the power play, Red Deer was 1-for-3.
The Oil Kings are back in action on Friday when they play host to the Lethbridge Hurricanes at 7:00 P.M.
The Edmonton Oil Kings next home game is Friday, September 29 at 7:00 P.M. when they take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes at Rogers Place.
The Oil Kings are Edmonton’s first choice for family fun with great seats starting at $20 and season seats for as low as $299 for an entire season of thrilling WHL action!
Head to OilKings.ca to secure your seat today!
