OIL KINGS NEED TO SHAKE OFF LOSS IN QUICK TURNAROUND
It wasn't the way the Oil Kings envisioned starting the 2022 Memorial Cup, but all is not lost.
The WHL champions fell 4-3 to the QMJHL champion Shawinigan Cataractes at Harbour Station arena Tuesday to drop to 0-1 in the four-team tournament. The Oil Kings face the host
Saint John Sea Dogs Wednesday (4 p.m. MT) in what is likely a must-win encounter.
Edmonton closes the round-robin portion of the tournament Friday against the OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs.
“They're a good team, but I thought our team didn't come out with our best effort,” said Oil Kings forward Jaxsen Wiebe.
“In this tournament you have to bring your full effort and your team's best to win games here, and I don't think we did that and didn't get the result we wanted.”
The Oil Kings had not played since clinching the WHL title eight days earlier at Rogers Place in Game 6 of the league final against the Seattle Thunderbirds and seemed to be a step behind the Cataractes to start.
Shawinigan looked faster and took advantage of a five-minute major penalty assessed to Oil Kings forward Carson Golder to take the lead. The Oil Kings were able to battle back to take a 2-1 and then 3-2 lead, but gave up two goals in 78 seconds in the third period to lose.
“They're a fast team, it's a little different hockey,” Wiebe said. “The Western league is a little more physical hockey and they're a shifty team. There was definitely an adjustment period, but I thought we were just as fast and I believe we are just as fast as these Eastern teams. We'll regroup and we'll be ready to play.”
The Oil Kings were in control of the contest going into the third, where they've usually been able to close out games this season. But they were outplayed, getting outshot 15-10 in the period.
“We had our moments, but unfortunately, they were the better team (Tuesday),” Wiebe said. “We'll bring a better effort ( Wednesday). Our group is not going to dwell on this loss for too long, and refocus for the challenge ahead for Saint John. We'll be ready for it.”
Wiebe, 20, recently returned to the lineup after sustaining and injury early in the WHL Final series against the Thunderbirds. He was back for the clinching game against Seattle and is being asked to play a bigger role at the Memorial Cup with star forward Dylan Guenther out of the lineup with a knee injury.
“I feel great, I'll do whatever I can to give our team energy,” Wiebe said. “I think that's kind of my job and I embrace it and I feel good, so I'm excited to keep going in this tournament.”
QUICK TURNAROUND
The Oil Kings don't have much time to lament the loss to the Cataractes with the host Sea Dogs due up Wednesday.
The Sea Dogs opened the tournament by defeating the OHL champion Hamilton Bulldogs 5-3 Monday following a 38-day layoff. They were eliminated in the first round of the QMJHL playoffs.
“I don't think we played a very good game at all,” said Oil Kings defenceman Luke Prokop. “We weren't very structured and we weren't doing the things we are normally capable of doing and did all playoffs long.”