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OIL KINGS STRIKE LATE FOR WIN OVER HAWKS – Mark Pysyk scored with 56 seconds left in the third period to lift the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 4-3 win over the visiting Portland Winterhawks in Game 5 of the 2012 WHL Championship series on Thursday night in Edmonton, AB.

The Oil Kings’ captain carried the puck into the Hawks’ zone on a harmless looking rush and then fired a wrist shot that beat Hawks’ netminder Mac Carruth over his glove for the winner.

The win, their second straight in the series, gives the Oil Kings a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, and leaves them one victory away from the WHL Championship.

Jordan Peddle scored twice and set up another while Griffin Reinhart also counted for the Oil Kings, who were 0-for-3 on the power play in the game and are now 1-for-16 in the series.

Sven Bartschi scored to extend his goal streak to seven games while Marcel Noebels and Ty Rattie also scored for the Winterhawks, who tied the game at 3-3 on Bartschi’s goal early in the third period.

Laurent Brossoit turned aside 28 of 31 shots he faced to post the victory for the Oil Kings.  Carruth finished with 31 saves in a losing cause for the Winterhawks.

The series heads back to Portland for Game 6 on Saturday night at the Rose Garden.  If necessary, a Game 7 would be played in Edmonton on Sunday.

Edmonton lead best-of-seven series 3-2

Game Summary

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