Oil Kings leery of drop off
I think everyone knows what’s at stake in that room
OIL KINGS MARK PYSYK
Coming off the biggest emotional high of their season to this point, the Edmonton Oil Kings are mindful of a drop off.
Edmonton captain Mark Pysyk’s game-winning point shot with under a minute to play on Thursday has the Oil Kings a win away from a Western Hockey League title.
The Oil Kings lead the Portland Winterhawks 3-2 and can wrap up the series tonight at the Rose Garden.
Considering the emotional roller-coaster the team has been riding — Edmonton trailed 2-1 in the series and stormed in back front with an overtime win in Game 4, and Pysyk’s late heroics in Game 5 — a letdown wouldn’t be a surprise in Game 6.
Pysyk and his teammates are confident they won’t fall victim to that, though.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I think we’ll still play with that same urgency and I think everyone knows what’s at stake in that room. I don’t think there’ll be any letdown (tonight). I think both teams will come out very hard and it’s going to be a good game.”
Edmonton head coach Derek Laxdal said his team has gone all season without showing signs of letting down early.
“Our kids a re pretty focused. Even after a loss, we don’t get too down and we kind of have that even keel,” he said.
“These kids know what’s at stake coming into this series and obviously, the closer you get toward your ultimate goal, there’s going to be a little pressure on you; there’s pressure on both hockey clubs.
“We’re going into a Game 6 and we’re going into a hostile environment and we know that Portland’s got a great hockey club. We have to come out and play our ‘A’ game.”
Edmonton forward Jordan Peddle, who had two goals in Game 5, said the issue has been addressed in the room. As a 21-year-old with the clock ticking on his junior career, Peddle knows there isn’t room for a let-up with a championship looming.
“These are the biggest games I’ve ever played in my career and it’s really exciting to be a part of it,” he said.