Oil Kings Take Game 4 in a Thriller

Portland, OR - Rhett Rachinski played the part of the playoff overtime hero for the second time in his career as he tallied to give the Oil Kings a 4-3 win in Game 4 of the WHL Championship Series presented by Kal Tire and Husky. With the win, Edmonton evens the best of seven series at 2-2 and regains home ice advantage with Game 5 set for Thursday, 7:00 p.m. at Rexall Place back in the City of Champions.

Despite an early chance that was put off the post by the Oil Kings' Curtis Lazar,  the Winterhawks jumped out to the early lead. Marcel Noebels scored on a breakaway just 1:21 into the game. Oil Kings’ goaltender Laurent Brossoit made some huge saves early including a monster stop on Sven Bartschi from point blank.  It was a big effort from the 20-year old Rachinski who battled to the blue paint and tipped home a pass from fellow 20-year-old Jordan Peddle to tie the game 1-1 after 20 minutes of play. 

Edmonton held momentum with a key penalty kill to start the second period.  Tyler Maxwell gave the Oil Kings their first lead of the series since Game 1 with a nice wrap around goal just over 8 minutes into the middle frame. Edmonton would strike again to establish a two goal lead off the stick of Stephane Legault late in the period.   Legault scooped up a Mac Carruth rebound moving away from the net, turned and roofed a shot for his fourth of the playoffs.  Edmonton would carry a 3-1 lead into the third period and entered the night with an 11-0 record in the playoffs when leading after 40 minutes of play.

Portland stormed back to life with a pair of goals from Calgary Flames' draft pick Sven Bartschi. The equalizer came half way through the third to set up the dramatic finish.    The Oil Kings needed a highlight reel post-to-post save from Brossoit going into the TV timeout to keep it 3 - 3. The second half of the third saw frantic back and forth action with shots 39-27 in favor of the Oil Kings to end regulation.

In overtime, Rachinski scooped up a loose puck in the offensive zone, wheeled and fired a shot to send the series back to Edmonton tied 2-2. For Rachinski, it was the second time he tallied a crucial overtime winner for the Oil Kings. The Southside Athletic Club product also scored the game winning OT goal in the Oil Kings tie breaker game vs Prince Albert to put the team in the 2009 Playoffs.

The Oil Kings last home playoff game had a paid attendance of 10,720 - the largest playoff crowd in Oil Kings franchise history. As a thank you to fans for their continued support throughout the entire season, ATB Financial and the Oil Kings will offer 10,000 tickets for both Games 5 and *Game 7 of this series versus the Portland Winterhawks for just $20.

Game 5 of the series is scheduled for Thursday May 10th, 7:00 p.m.   Game 7, if necessary, will be played Sunday May 13th, 6:00 p.m. at Rexall Place.  Tickets are available NOW at oilkings.ca, at the Oil Kings Ticket office at TELUS Field (10233-96 Avenue) during regular business hours Monday through Friday, by calling (780) 414-GOAL (4625) or at the door.

Now is the best time to become an Oil Kings Season Seat Holder for 2012-13. Secure your seat for next year with a $100 deposit per seat and receive tickets for the first round of the 2013 WHL Playoffs for FREE.  For season tickets, contact the Oil Kings Ticket Office at (780) 414-GOAL (4625).

WHL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE (All Times MDT)

Series is tied 2-2

Thursday, May 3 – Portland (2) at Edmonton (3) 

Friday, May 4 – Portland (5) at Edmonton (1)

Sunday, May 6 – Edmonton (3) at Portland (4)

Tuesday, May 8 – Edmonton (4) at Portland (3) - OT

Thursday, May 10 – Portland at Edmonton – 7:00 p.m. @ Rexall Place

Saturday, May 12 – Edmonton at Portland - 7:00 p.m. @ Rose Garden

*Sunday, May 13 – Portland at Edmonton – 6:00 p.m. @ Rexall Place

*if necessary