It’s nut up or shut up for the Oil Kings as they face their first elimination game of the WHL Playoffs as they find themselves down 3-2 in the series against Prince Albert.
Ian Scott and Dylan Myskiw will get the starts in the most important game of the playoffs for these two teams so far.
Period 1
Four minutes into the game Edmonton have the only three shots on net and are controlling the play. Expected from a team playing at home in an elimination game.
Vince Loschiavo would take the first penalty of the game on an undisciplined slash after the whistle. During the penalty a Raider player would drag down Fyten behind the play. I’m literally watching the ref watch the play and no call. Guess we’re going to have another one of those games.
Edmonton would successfully kill off the penalty as we would head into the media timeout.
The Oil Kings would get on the board first after a Trey Fix-Wolansky shot would find its way through. He would get credited for the goal. Benjafield and Robertson would get the apples. All the hard work for Edmonton early finally pays off.
Raiders would get another opportunity on the powerplay after another undisciplined penalty by the Oil Kings. This time Trey Fix-Wolansky would go off for interference. Raiders would make them pay with a Aliaksei Protas top shelf snipe. 1-1 as the undisciplined pay is biting the Oil Kings.
Protas would continue his hot streak as he now has five goals in two games and put the Raiders up 2-1 on a drive to the net with 5:16 left in the first.
Edmonton would take their third penalty of the period as Wyatt McLeod would take a tripping penalty which looked like incidental contact to me.
The Raiders would score quickly as Noah Gregor would pick Myskiw’s corner again giving the Raiders a 3-1 lead.
Justin Nachbaur would take an interference penalty with 1:21 left and give the Oil Kings an opportunity to get back into the game.
We would go into the intermission with a 3-1 Raiders lead.
Period 2
Of course the referees skate out to a chorus of boos here in Rogers Place as we get ready for the second.
Pretty neutral second period so far 6 minutes in as both teams haven’t amounted to many chances. Perfect script for the Raiders who already have a two goal lead in their pocket.
Conner McDonald would take a rough penalty with about 11 minutes left to play in the second putting Prince Albert back on the powerplay. Yet again.
Trey Fix-Wolansky would have one of the nicest shifts I’ve ever seen laying the body all over the place and find himself wide open in front of the Raiders net for a short handed goal. Bringing the Oil Kings within one and injecting the crowd with energy.
Raiders would go to the powerplay again after another call against the Oil Kings. This time Fyten for goalie interference. Stripes aren’t making fans here in Edmonton.
Edmonton would kill it off as the Raiders can’t find anything going on the powerplay.
Aliaksei Protas walks in all alone on Myskiw and puts it upstairs giving the Raiders a 4-2 lead. Protas’s sixth goal in two games and second hat trick in two games as he has absolutely killed the Oil Kings.
Raiders will take a 4-2 lead going into the third as it’s not looking good for the Oil Kings with their season on the line.
Period 3
Do or die for the Oil Kings with the season on the line. 5 minutes into the third with nothing doing. Prince Albert takes a tripping penalty on a 2-on-1 putting Edmonton on the powerplay. A pretty much must score opportunity.
Edmonton would get a 5-on-3 powerplay opportunity after an amazing Josh Williams burst to the net. Only 37 seconds but it’s still huge.
Prince Albert would kill both off.
Things are coming full circle for Edmonton though as the pressure is leading to penalties. Less than a minute after killing it off the Raiders would go back to the penalty kill and once again successfully kill it off. Can’t say Edmonton isn’t getting their chances.
The Oil Kings would pull Myskiw with 1:45 left down by 2.
The Prince Albert Raiders would hold onto a 4-2 lead and become your WHL Eastern Conference Champions.
Three Stars of the Game:
3rd – Aliaksei Protas 
2nd – Trey Fix-Wolansky 
1st – Quinn Benjafield, Andrew Fyten, Vince Loschiavo
