St.Croix Tallies Three in 5-1 Win
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Edmonton, AB - Michael St.Croix's fifth career WHL Hat Trick led the Oil Kings to a 5-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night at Rexall Place. The win snapped the Oil Kings three game winless streak as they raised their record to 6-3-1-2. Edmonton sits just a single point behind Calgary for first in the Eastern Conference.
Curtis Lazar got things started as he dug up a rebound off a shot from Keegan Lowe to make it a 1-0 game 3:43 into the first. The Oil Kings record is now 6-0-0-0 this season when scoring the first goal of the game. But Warriors forward Brayden Point made a big individual effort to tie the game 1-1 just minutes later.
Edmonton's power play then went to work as St. Croix one timed a slap shot bar-down off a pass from TJ Foster midway through the period. The Oil Kings power play would finish the night 3 for 5 with all three of St.Croix's goals coming on the man advantage.
Late in the first and Oilers draft pick Travis Ewanyk was "Johnny on the spot" as he buried a rebound off a nice play by fellow Oilers draft pick Mitch Moroz. Ewanyk's goal was his second of the season and gave the home side a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.
The Oil Kings continued to press in the second period, avoiding bad penalties and capitalizing on their odd man opportunities. St. Croix notched his second of the game in similar fashion to his first with a big one timer from the top of the face off circle. The Oil Kings career goal scoring leader then picked up a rebound in front of the Moose Jaw goal and tallied his hat trick marker with under four minutes remaining in the period. The New York Rangers prospect currently holds the Oil Kings franchise record for career WHL goals in the modern era with 99 and counting.
Kings goaltender Tristan Jarry made 23 saves to raise his record to 2-2-0-0 on the year. Jarry has an impressive 1.26 GAA and a 0.942 save percentage in 2012-13. Edmonton's power play is the best in the WHL with a 34.5% success rate. The penalty kill, which went 6 for 6 against the Warriors is ranked first in the league with a lethal 90.8 % kill percentage.
GAME NIGHT PHOTOS /
The Oil Kings will host their Southern Alberta rivals - the Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday night. Last season, the Oil Kings posted a 4-1-0-1 record against the Tabbies. It was the Oil Kings first winning record against Medicine Hat in the modern era. All time, Edmonton has an 8-12-0-5 record against their rivals from the Gas City.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Puck drop at Rexall Place is set for 7:00 p.m. 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). All games this season will be broadcast live on the TEAM 1260 and streamed live at WHL.ca. The Oil Kings 2012-13 season is presented by JLT, Insurance & Risk Management.
