WHL Playoffs: Oil Kings vs. Ice, Round One

The Edmonton Oil Kings, who were tied for second-best in the WHL in points, will face off against the Kootenay Ice in round one of the WHL playoffs beginning March 22.

• Series begins Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. MDT in Edmonton.

Center Michael St. Croix finished at the top of the score sheet for Edmonton as he tallied 92 points in 72 games. He led the team in goals (37) and points and had 20 power play goals on the season. Left winger Dylan Wruck led the Oil Kings with 63 assists on the season, adding 22 goals for a total 85 points on the season. Center Henrik Samuelsson had 80 points (33-47) in 69 games. Cody Corbett led Edmonton defensemen with 42 points in 71 regular season games.

Edmonton finished the regular season by winning eight of its last nine games. The team ended the year with a 3-1 victory over Red Deer on March 15 and a 5-1 victory over the Rebels the following day. They earned at least a point in each of their last nine games.

Kootenay center Sam Reinhart led the Ice with 85 points this season; he led the team in goals (35) and assists (50) as well as points. Center Jaedon Descheneau had 78 points (30-48) in 69 games this season, while right winger Brock Montgomery had 48 points in 58 games. Rookie Luke Philp finished the regular season fourth in points scoring on Kootenay, as he tallied 45 points in 66 games.

The Ice finished the season with a 5-4 win over Calgary on March 16, having dropped the previous two games before that. They lost six of their last nine games to end the season.

Edmonton and Kootenay split the season series, each winning a trio of games. The Oil Kings took the first meeting of the series, 5-3, on September 20, before Kootenay won the next two meetings by scores of 1-0 and 5-4. Edmonton defeated the Ice 2-0 on November 30 before dropping a 2-1 decision to Kootenay on January 8. Finally, the Oil Kings won the last meeting of the season, 4-2, on January 30.

SCHEDULE
Game #1: Fri Mar 22 7:00 PM Kootenay at Edmonton

Game #2: Sun Mar 24 4:00 PM Kootenay at Edmonton

Game #3: Tue Mar 26 7:00 PM Edmonton at Kootenay

Game #4: Wed Mar 27 7:00 PM Edmonton at Kootenay

Game #5: Fri Mar 29 7:00 PM Kootenay at Edmonton * if necessary

Game #6: Sun Mar 31 6:00 PM Edmonton at Kootenay * if necessary

Game #7: Tues Apr 2 7:00 PM Kootenay at Edmonton * if necessary