Beasts of the East
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Edmonton, AB - The Oil Kings have booked a spot in the WHL Championship series for the first time in the modern era of the franchise. Led by a 37 save performance from the Eastern Conference Championship MVP Laurent Brossoit the Oil Kings posted a 4-1 win over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors to take a 4-1 series win.
The Oil Kings came flying out of the gates as they looked to avenge their Game 4 loss in Moose Jaw. Oilers draft pick Kristians Pelss fired a wrister that goaltender Justin Paulic could not get the handle on, allowing Michael St. Croix to poke home his fifth of the post season. Edmonton then added to their lead on a late first period power play as another Oilers draft pick, Martin Gernat, took a bank shot pass off the back wall from Tyler Maxwell and snapped home his 4th of the playoffs.
Edmonton would hold the 2-0 lead through the first seven minutes of the second before Moose Jaw would respond with their only goal off the stick of Sam Fioretti. Late in the second, rookie Curtis Lazar continued his recent tear as he broke in along the right side and rifled shot low far corner for his 8th of the post season. Lazar continues to lead all Oil Kings in scoring with eight goals and eight assists.
Gernat would then add his second power play goal of the game in the third period as the Oil Kings would skate to a 4-1 win. Brossoit was once again key down the stretch as the Oil Kings were out shot 31-12 in the final two periods. Brossoit was named the Eastern Conference Championship MVP following the game and he will enter the WHL Championship with a league leading 1.62 GAA and a brilliant 0.945 save percentage.
Games 1 and 2 in Edmonton will be played on Thursday, May 3rd and Friday, May 4th at Rexall Place. Both games start at 7:00 p.m. The series will shift to Portland, Oregon for games 3 and 4 on May 6th and 8th.
Tickets for the WHL Championship series are on sale NOW! And are available at oilkings.ca, by calling (780) 414-GOAL (4625), at the Oil Kings Ticket Office at TELUS Field (10233-96 Avenue) or at the door. The 2012 Oil Kings Playoffs are presented by ATB Financial.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE
2012 WHL Championship Series
Thursday, May 3 – Portland at Edmonton – 7:00 p.m. MDT @ Rexall Place
Friday, May 4 – Portland at Edmonton – 7:00 p.m. MDT @ Rexall Place
Sunday, May 6 – Edmonton at Portland – 7:00 p.m. MDT @ Rose Garden
Tuesday, May 8 – Edmonton at Portland – 8:00 p.m. MDT @ Rose Garden
Thursday, May 10 – Portland at Edmonton – 7:00 p.m. MDT @ Rexall Place
Saturday, May 12 – Edmonton at Portland - TBD @ Rose Garden
Sunday, May 13 – Portland at Edmonton – TBD @ Rexall Place
