1/20/2013
Ales Hemsky looked good during the lockout, and he sure looked good in an Oilers uniform Sunday night.
Hemsky scored the equalizer on the power-play late in the third period and then added the shootout winner as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2.
“I almost decked myself out,” laughed Hemsky. He explained, “Fredy out goalie coach did a great job, he gave us alot of options on what we should do in the shootout."
Jordan Eberle started the rally for the Oilers with a nifty back hander over the shoulder of Roberto Luongo with four seconds remaining in the second period.
Eberle says out the gate they were a little rusty, but it eventually wore off.
“It took us probably about 25 minutes to feel out the game, but 5 on 5 I thought we played really well. It was a good character win to start the season."
Oilers coach Ralph Krueger was victories in his first game as the Oilers new bench boss. Krueger says he was very impressed with his team overall.
“The willingness to stick with what we came here to do was outstanding. There was a bit of rust early and we saw a few holes defensively, but there was never a lack of effort, you know the way this story evolved it was really the perfect first game.”
It was big game for Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk. He made 27 saves, and stopped both Canuck shooters in the shootout. Sam Gagner would score the other shootout goal for the Oilers.
Next up for Edmonton is their home opener on Tuesday night, when they host the San Jose Sharks. (bu)
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