Pysyk Gives Oil Kings 3-2 Lead In WHL Championship

Edmonton, AB - Captain Mark Pysyk added an exclamation point to his chapter in Oil Kings history with a thrilling game winner to give the Oil Kings a 4-3 win in Game 5 of the WHL Championship. The effort combined with a three point night from 20-year old veteran Jordan Peddle gave the Oil Kings a 3-2 lead in the best of seven WHL Championship Series presented by Kal Tire and Husky. Edmonton will now look to clinch their first ever WHL Championship in modern franchise history on Saturday in Portland.  

Both teams continued right where they left off in Game 4 with plenty of back and forth hockey in the first period. Just like Game 4, the Winterhawks jumped out to the early lead off a goal from Marcel Noebels under two minutes into the game. Edmonton would battle and finally answer back in the final minutes of the second. Peddle made a steal at the Winterhawks blue line and wired his fifth goal of the WHL Playoffs.

Griffin Reinhart would then add his second of the post season with his patented blast from the point through traffic to make it a 2-1 game early in the second.   The Winterhawks would push back just minutes later on the power play when Ty Rattie trickled one in past Laurent Brossoit.  After video review, the goal would stand to tie the game 2 – 2.  Edmonton would keep the "Peddle" to the metal as Peddle would add his second of the game, this time off a giveaway in the Winterhawks zone. Edmonton took a 3 – 2 lead into the intermission.

"Right now, I am playing hockey like every shift is my last shift out there." said Peddle who now has six points in what will be his final WHL Championship series.

That lead that would evaporate five minutes into the third as the Winterhawks Sven Bartschi scored a clutch goal for his squad to tie the game 3-3.  The goaltenders put on a show in the third period until Mark Pysyk’s heroics with just 55.6 seconds to go in regulation time.  The Sherwood Park native was asked if that was his biggest goal of his career.

"Absolutely, I haven't scored that many so there is not that many to compare it to."

Pysyk continues to be the face of the Oil Kings modern franchise. He was the team's first ever WHL Bantam draft pick, the first ever NHL first round draft pick and the first to represent Team Canada at the World Juniors.

GAME NIGHT PHOTOS / VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Game 6 of the WHL Championship series is set for Saturday night from the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon.  The Oil Kings will look to capture their first ever Ed Chynoweth Cup and earn a trip to the Mastercard Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, QC.   Be sure to tune in live on Shaw TV and listen in to the live play by play on Team 1260. Game time in Portland is 7:00 p.m. Edmonton time.

If necessary, Game 7 of this series will be played Sunday May 13th, 6:00 p.m. at Rexall Place.  Don't risk missing out!  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, or at the door.  Full refunds will be issued if Game 7 is not played.

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)

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 (3) at Edmonton (4)
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