Oil Kings Defeat Tigers on Tiebreaker Tuesday
The Edmonton Oil Kings came out on top in a thriller over the Medicine Hat Tigers by a score of 6-4 in what was the sixth tiebreaker game in WHL history. With the two Clubs tied for the eighth and final playoff spot, a tiebreaker game was needed to determine who will advance to the WHL Playoffs and take on the first-seeded Brandon Wheat Kings.
After Medicine Hat got two goals a minute apart early in the first period from Caleb Fantillo and Chad Butcher, the Oil Kings responded with a pair of goals from forward Luke Bertolucci to tie the game at two goals apiece. Oil Kings alternate captain Brett Pollock then capitalized on an Edmonton man advantage to give his Club the 3-2 lead after the opening 20 minutes.
The middle frame saw both teams trade several chances but goaltenders Payton Lee and Nick Schneider stood tall as they combined to make 26 saves.
Andrew Koep added an insurance marker to give the Oil Kings a 4-2 lead just 1:54 into the final period but the Tigers refused to quit. Tigers forwards Mark Rassell and Mason Shaw scored goals less than a minute apart midway through the third period to tie the game. However, the Oil Kings took advantage of a late power play as Dario Meyer netted the go ahead goal. The Tigers had several chances to tie on a power play advantage with a little over two minutes remaining in the game but could not capitalize. Oil Kings captain Brandon Baddock sealed the victory with an empty netter to give Edmonton the 6-4 win.
With the victory, the Edmonton Oil Kings advance to the 2016 WHL Playoffs and will take on the Brandon Wheat Kings in Round 1 beginning on Thursday night at Westman Communications Group Place in Brandon, MB.
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