Lazar Scores Natural Hat Trick in 3-0 Shutout
0 Comments
Medicine Hat, AB - Curtis Lazar scored a natural hat trick and Laurent Brossoit posted a 28 save shutout to guide the Oil Kings to a 3-0 win over the Tigers on Sunday. The win was the Oil Kings third in as many nights as they took six of a possible six points this weekend. With the victory, Edmonton took over top spot in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand on the second place Calgary Hitmen.
Lazar opened the scoring on the first shot of the game as he snapped home his 17th of the year just 32 seconds in. The native of Vernon, BC is on pace to set new career highs after posting 20 goals and 11 assists as a rookie last season. The Oil Kings showed very little sign of fatigue to start the game as they out-shot the Tigers 17-9 in the first frame.
The Oil Kings top prospect for the 2013 NHL Draft wasn't finished as he opened the scoring in the second period with a power play goal. Lazar fearlessly drove the puck to the net and tucked home his second of the game past former Oil Kings goaltender Cam Lanigan.
The Tigers began to steal back some momentum in the game during the second half of the period before Stephen Shmoorkoff threw a huge open ice hit on the Tigers' Boston Leier. With no call on the clean hit a scrum ensued and the Oil Kings were forced to kill off a 5 on 3 power play. After a frantic two minutes the Edmonton defense held on to stall the home side's second period push.
Lazar would add an empty net goal off a feed from Henrik Samuelsson for the natural hat trick late in the third. It was Lazar's second WHL hat trick this season and the first natural hat trick of his WHL career. Both Lazar and Oil Kings goaltender Tristan Jarry have now departed for the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects game in Halifax.
Brossoit was solid in his 28 save performance as he posted his 19th win of the season. "LB" has won eight of his last nine starts and has not allowed more than two goals against in a game since December 7th. The shutout was the seventh of Brossoit's career as he continues to add to his modern era franchise record.
Edmonton's strong defensive play continues to steal the show as the Kings have allowed the least number of goals in the Eastern Conference. The Oil Kings have only allowed three goals against in their last six games and have held the opposition to two or fewer in 28 of their 44 games this season.
Next up the Oil Kings will visit the Red Deer Rebels on Thursday, January 17th. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. MST from the ENMAX Centrium. All games this season will be broadcast live on the TEAM 1260 and streamed live at WHL.ca.
The defending WHL Champions make their return to Rexall Place next Friday, January 18th as they play host the Tigers. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. MST and tickets are available at OILKINGS.CA, at the Rexall Place Box Office or at Ticketmaster outlets. For more information on season seats or flex packs, call 780-414-GOAL (4625). The Oil Kings 2012-13 season is presented by JLT, Insurance & Risk Management.
