Edmonton Oil Kings

Oil Kings Fall To League Leaders In Home Ice Finale

March 11, 2010

March 10th vs Calgary - Photo by Dylan Lynch

Edmonton, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings wrapped up their home schedule with a solid performance, dropping a 4-1 decision to the league leading Calgary Hitmen. Del Cowan opened the scoring for Calgary on a first period power play. Drew Nichol equalized in the second period, converting a tremendous feed from Stephane Legault for a goal in his final game at Rexall Place. The Hitmen took over in the third, getting goals from Ian Schultz, Michael Stone and Tyler Fiddler to move within a point of clinching first place overall and home ice advantage throughout the Western Hockey League playoffs.

Oil Kings Head Coach Steve Pleau says special teams separated the two rivals. “To me, it sums up our year. I thought we were excellent five-on-five. We couldn’t capitalize on five power plays in the second period. They go 2 for 3 and we go 0 for 7. But there were a lot of positives against the best team in the league.”

It was the last WHL game on home ice for overagers Drew Nichol, Torrie Jung and Garry Nunn. Nichol says he has a lot of great memories of his three years as an Oil King. “It’s pretty cool to say we were here when it began. It’s a privilege to play for a team that cares so much. We’ve come through a ton. Through losses. Through trades. It’ll be exciting to watch going forward, knowing I played a leadership role with this young group.”

Nichol says his fourth Western Hockey League goal was definitely his nicest. “I think everyone in the building heard me yell for that puck. I just put everything I had down on my stick and it found its way in the net. Give credit to Legault, who made a great feed into the slot and I just finished it off.”

The Oil Kings wrap up the regular season schedule with games Friday in Calgary and Saturday in Cranbrook against the Kootenay Ice.