October 13th, 2014: Oil Kings 5, Brandon Wheat Kings 2
The Oil Kings won their second home game of the season on Thanksgiving Monday, bringing their overall record up to 4-3-0 on the season. They took on the East Division-leading Wheat Kings, giving them just their second loss so far. The home team put this one away in the second period with three highlight-reel goals: a perfectly executed 2-on-1 finished by Andrew Koep, a tic-tac-toe between the line of Kulda, Bauer, and Eller, and a beautiful shorthanded breakaway goal by Cole Benson. The Wheat Kings added two powerplay goals in the third from Eric Roy and Rihards Bukarts, but a goal from Edgars Kulda and Benson’s empty netter kept this one out of reach.
It should come as no surprise that the Oil Kings powerplay went 0-for-6, looking absolutely pathetic at times. To be fair, a couple of those powerplays came in the final minute, when Brandon started to get rough after the game got away from them. This drops their PP to third last in the WHL. The penalty kill wasn’t great either, as Brandon’s powerplay–3rd in the league–went 2-for-6. However, a win is a win, and this was still a good one.
If you haven’t already noticed, the Oil Kings obviously decided to go with Kulda and Eller as their imports this season, releasing Marsel Ibragimov last week to solve the situation (Ibragimov was quickly scooped up by the Victoria Royals). Eller and Kulda seemed happy to stay as they combined for 5 points on the night, drawing 1st and 3rd star honours, respectively. It was a great night for the Europeans, who are currently playing on what I think is Edmonton’s best line with draft-eligible Lane Bauer.
New Jersey Devils prospect Brandon Baddock finally got his first fight of the season, and made it pretty clear once again why no one in the league wants to fight him with a one-sided bout against Colton Waltz. Waltz is no shrinking violet at 6’1, 198lbs, but few in this league are any match for the 6’4, 215lb Baddock.
FROM THE FIFTH ROW 