Edmonton Oilers escape Vancouver with shootout win

By Reid Wilkins 630CHED

Posted January 17, 2019 2:18 am

Updated January 17, 2019 9:17 am

2 min read

If you get Global News from Instagram or Facebook - that will be changing. Find out how you can still connect with us.

This article is more than 5 years old and some information may not be up to date.

WATCH ABOVE: Some recent video about the Edmonton Oilers.

Alex Chiasson scored the only goal in a five-round shootout as the Edmonton Oilers edged the Canucks 3-2 in Vancouver on Wednesday night.

It’s the first time the Oilers have won back-to-back games since Dec. 11.

The teams traded goals with Oilers captain Connor McDavid in the penalty box in the first period.

Jujhar Khaira netted the Oilers’ fifth shorthanded goal of the season. Brandon Sutter replied with a power play goal for the Canucks. McDavid fired a wrist shot past Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom for a power play strike in the final minute of the first.

Vancouver’s Markus Granlund evened it up halfway through the second period. The Canucks celebrated a power play goal by Ben Hutton late in the frame, but the Oilers successfully challenged for offside on the zone entry, keeping it 2-2.

Story continues below advertisement

Canucks forward Jake Virtanen got in behind the Oilers defence with 20 seconds left in the third, but Oilers netminder Mikko Koskinen came up with a pad save to send the game to overtime.

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

Markstrom made a pad save on Edmonton’s Kris Russell early in overtime. Darnell Nurse saved the game twice for the Oilers, pulling one puck off the goal line and then blocking a second try.

Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl went in on a breakaway, but Markstrom made the save.

All five Vancouver shooters failed to solve Koskinen in the shootout. Chiasson ended the game with a shot over Markstrom’s glove.

LISTEN BELOW: Alex Chiasson

Chiasson, who won a Stanley Cup with Washington last year, said after the game this won’t be the last close game this season.“Down the stretch, there’s going to be a lot of tight games,” he said.“There’s games [where] we’re going to be down one or up one, it’s going to be tied with 20-25 minutes left. We’ve got to learn how to play in these types of games, make good decisions.”Oilers head coach Ken Hitchcock echoed that message after the game.“Who knows what happens, we hope we get in (the playoffs), but it’s going to be like this every game,” he said.“There’s going to be a lot of emotional times, and to me, if you’re a fan of hockey, you’re going to love this.”

Story continues below advertisement

LISTEN BELOW: Ken Hitchcock

The Oilers (23-21-3) will host Calgary Saturday night.

Watch below: Some videos from Global New’s coverage of the Edmonton Oilers’ 2018-19 season.