Oil Kings Survive in Over Time 3-2, Forcing Game 6

Edmonton lived another day, after Michael St. Croix scored seven minutes into over time in a 3-2 Game Five win, Friday night. Mac Carruth and Laurent Brossoit waged a goal-tending duel for much of the game, turning aside quality chance after quality chance, in which was easily the fastest paced game of the series.

Joey Baker, he of 1 regular season goal, drove the Edmonton zone off the opening draw and slipped a backhand shot past the left pad of Brossoit, for his 3rd of the playoffs, 15 seconds into the game. Baker's deceptive speed caught the Oil King's defense and he got right in on Brossoit before the fans even took their seats. Edmonton got some "puck luck," back when T.J. Foster's centering pass went off the back-checking Nic Petan's skate and past Carruth. The "shot," was set up when Dylan Wruck won a corner battle and got the puck to T.J. Foster at the side of the net for his 4th of the playoffs 10:14 into the first, tot tie it up at 1.

Foster battling Taylor Peters

No goals were put past the battling tenders in the second period, all the more impressive for Brossoit, who stopped 15 shots in the period.

7:01 into the third period, Mac Carruth attempted to sling the puck along the boards behind the net and it took another unfortunate bounce, ending up on Dylan Wruck's stick again. Wruck got it to St. Croix who was able to shoot the puck into the vacant net, as Carruth could not get back in time. Yet another unfortunate bounce for Carruth ,as he deserved a better fate then allowing the 2 "puck luck," goals. Portland was able to get that one back with a ferocious rally late in the game, culminating in Brendan Leipsic slipping a rebound past Brossoit with less then 6 minutes left in the game.

St. Croix after his winning goal

Over time was needed as both teams' quality chances were turned away by the experienced net minders. This was until, St. Croix took advantage of a loose puck and wired a shot over the shoulder of Carruth and into the top corner of the net. St. Croix's game winner means we will have at least one more game, as Portland's lead in the series is trimmed to 3 games to 2.

3 Stars:
#3- T.J.Foster- Seemingly the quickest Oil King, his play has really been the most consistent of any Oil King player.

#2- Dylan Wruck- Creating many opportunities for Edmonton, Wruck is another who creates matchup issues for the Portland Defense, as he is stocky and low to the ground, winning many battles on the boards.

#1- Michael St. Croix- The New York Rangers prospect was the hero for the visiting team in this one and played easily his best game of the series. St. Croix seems to go through long periods without being an affective player, but when he dialed in...look out.

Game 6 goes Sunday at 3pm, in Edmonton.