Oil Kings defeat the Hitmen despite an early deficit

A third-period surge from the Edmonton Oil Kings helped them come from behind to defeat the Calgary Hitmen 3-1 on home ice. 

The scoring began early at the Downtown Community Arena, but not in favour of the hometown Oil Kings. Calgary’s third-round pick from the 2018 draft, Rory Neill, beat Dylan Myskiw at the 1:42 mark, silencing the Edmonton faithful.

Edmonton’s coaching staff got a good look at their power play in the opening 20 minutes as the Hitmen failed to control their discipline levels. Calgary was called on five separate occasions and gave the Oil Kings two 5-on-3 chances, along with a double minor when Luke Prokop received a high-sticking penalty.

The Oil Kings did capitalize on the odd-man advantage when Riley Sawchuk set up Dylan Guenther for a one timer from the right of Carl Stankowski to tie the game up at 1-1.

Guenther, the former first overall pick, looked very comfortable and confident in this contest, giving Calgary problems on numerous occasions. He paired well with Sawchuk throughout the game, which may be some foreshadowing of what to expect this upcoming season. 

The penalties calmed down in the second period as the game became more of a neutral zone battle. 

Parker Gavlas denied the Hitmen’s best chance of the period when he broke up a 2-on-1 early in the frame. The compete level was extremely high for Gavlas as he battles for one of the three 20-year-old spots on the roster. He was involved the entire game, using his stick and body effectively on the defensive side, and also grabbed an assist on the opening goal. 

Calgary did have a chance on the power play, but the Oil Kings limited them to only two shots and kept the majority of the play in the opposing zone. 

There was a change between the pipes for Edmonton to begin the final period. After making 18 stops on 19 shots, the veteran Myskiw was replaced by rookie Sebastian Cossa, who was sprung into action right away. The visiting team fired numerous shots on goal, testing out the young netminder who was not fazed. The early pressure actually allowed him to settle into the game a little easier.

Right around the six-minute mark, Edmonton gained the lead. Jake Neighbours blasted a one timer by Ethan Hein, who was brought in late in the second period, to put the home team out to a 2-1 lead. Sawchuk received the lone assist on the second goal after some great work with the puck behind the net, eventually finding Neighbours in front. 

Shortly after the second goal, Jalen Luypen added one more, putting the ribbon on top as he burst down the right wing, beating Hein over his shoulder. That goal made it 3-1.

The Hitmen got one more chance when Cossa played the puck directly to Luke Prokop, but he was denied by the post, preserving the nine-save shutout for the youngster. 

Overall, it was a solid performance by the Oil Kings, despite the poor start with the early goal. Both goaltenders made several vital saves to hold the Hitmen at one, the top line (Neighbours, Sawchuk, and Guenther) all contributed to the game sheet, and the team was resilient, overcoming Neill’s opening goal. The rust was still there with loose passes to nobody and turnovers leading to opportunities, but it is still preseason of course. 

Up next, the Oil Kings make a trip down Highway 2 to face-off against tonight’s opponents, the Hitmen, at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex in Calgary tonight.