Oil Kings Captain Mark Pysyk receiving (but not touching) the Conference Championship Trophy. (photo: screenshot/oilkings.ca)
It’s the first time this incarnation of the Edmonton Oil Kings has made it to the WHL Championship. After sweeping the first two rounds against the Kootenay Ice and the Brandon Wheat Kings, they beat out the Moose Jaw Warriors in a 4-1 series win, and take on the Portland Winterhawks starting this Thursday, May 3rd.
They took a 3-0 series lead before dropping the Game 4 decision to the Warriors, and Game 5 was all Edmonton as they defeated Moose Jaw 4-1. Goals from Micheal St. Croix (5) and Martin Gernat (4) gave the Oil Kings a 2-0 lead in the first period before Sam Fioretti answered for Moose Jaw in the second. Late in the middle frame, Curtis Lazar (8) extended their lead to 3-1 before Martin Gernat (5) tallied yet another power play goal midway through the third.
First star Laurent Brossoit was named series MVP after making 37 saves in their 4-1 win. He heads into the Championship series with a 1.62 GAA (league-leading) and a .945 save percentage.
Schedule:
May 3, 2012 – Winterhawks at Oil Kings – 7:00 p.m. at Rexall Place
May 4, 2012 – Winterhawks at Oil Kings – 7:00 p.m. at Rexall Place
May 6, 2012 – Oil Kings at Winterhawks – 7:00 p.m. at Rose Garden
May 8, 2012 – Oil Kings at Winterhawks – 8:00 p.m. at Rose Garden
-
May 10, 2012 – Winterhawks at Oil Kings – 7:00 p.m. at Rexall Place
May 12, 2012 – Oil Kings at Winterhawks – TBD at Rose Garden
May 13, 2012 – Winterhawks at Oil Kings – TBD at Rexall Place
Dates in bold are going to happen regardless of outcome; times are all in MDT.
« Older 2011-2012: Jordan Eberle
