Oil Kings ‘skilled players’ take over in 5-2 Game 4 — Holinka hat-trick shifts series
At SaskTel Centre the oil kings erased the crowd’s momentum with a single finish: Miroslav Holinka’s third goal late in the second period that left the arena stunned and handed Edmonton a 5-2 win that tied the best-of-seven opening-round series at 2-2.
How did the Oil Kings take control in Game 4?
Edmonton never trailed in Game 4, turning a night that began with doubt for the home side into a demonstration of high-end finishing. The Oil Kings’ top line — Lukas Sawchyn, Kayden Stroeder and Miroslav Holinka — combined on four of the team’s five goals, with Holinka completing a hat-trick that became the game’s decisive moment.
“His game tonight was outstanding, ” said Jason Smith, head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings. “It was a 200-foot game, he played well in both ends. He was out on the penalty kill and did a real good job, that’s what you need from your good players is good effort. “
Lukas Sawchyn, forward for the Edmonton Oil Kings, emphasized momentum and depth after the victory: “We’re definitely going to carry the momentum. It’s kind of been a next man up mentality this series, so we’re excited and we’re going to embrace it. “
Saskatoon struggled to contain Edmonton’s skilled attackers. Dan DaSilva, head coach of the Saskatoon Blades, said the Oil Kings have some of the “most skilled players in the league” and that the Blades “made it too easy on them. ” The absence of forward Zach Olsen, a late scratch who often brings physical drive, left a gap DaSilva said was noticeable for his team.
What turned the tide in Game 3 for the Blades?
Two nights earlier the story had looked different: the Saskatoon Blades rallied from a 3-1 deficit to capture a 4-3 comeback win in Game 3. A stagnant power play found life, and contributions from across the roster suggested a different complexion for the series.
“How about that power play, you know?” said Rowan Calvert, forward for the Saskatoon Blades, after the comeback. Calvert’s late second-period goal, coming from a pass by Hunter Laing, beat Ethan Simcoe, goaltender for the Edmonton Oil Kings, and kept Saskatoon’s belief alive heading into the third.
Blades head coach Dan DaSilva praised the group’s response: “I loved our effort in that third period. We weren’t going to be denied, and we just kept believing. The energy on the bench was great. The guys were talking and into it. We just got contributions from everyone. “
Edmonton had struck earlier in that game through Noa Ta’amu, defenceman for the Edmonton Oil Kings, and goals from Ryan Gower and Miroslav Holinka that put the visitors up 3-1. The contrast between Game 3’s comeback energy and Game 4’s disciplined finishing shows how quickly momentum can swing in this series.
What comes next in the series?
The result in Game 4 forces a road swing for the Blades: Game 5 shifts to Rogers Place in Edmonton at 6 p. m. ET. Game 6 is now guaranteed, set for Sunday at 2 p. m. ET at SaskTel Centre, with a potential Game 7 returning the teams to Edmonton at 7 p. m. ET. The series is now tied, and both clubs will head into those decisive games with differing narratives about how they arrived there.
Dan DaSilva stressed resilience in the dressing room after the loss: “After the game in the dressing room, the guys still have belief. They knew it was going to be a long series, but we’re prepared for that and I believe that’s in our favour. ” That belief will be tested on the road, against a line that has already shown it can make opponents “look silly” when space is given.
Back at SaskTel Centre, the image of Holinka’s third goal lingers — a shot that deflated a loud crowd and forced Saskatoon to recalibrate. As both teams head into the next stretch, the simple fact remains: the series is alive, and the oil kings’ top end skill has set a clear challenge the Blades must answer on the road.
