Hitmen produce overtime win over Edmonton in Game 1

Brady Brassart scored at 1:44 of overtime lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings Thursday night in Game 1 of the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference Final at Rexall Place.

Brassart's winner, his seventh goal of the post season, came after Curtis Lazar hit the crossbar for Edmonton on the first shift of sudden death.

"You know all night Driedger was amazing and it feels good to get that one for him because he stood on his head and battled so hard for us," said Brassart.

Chris Driedger earned second star honours following a 33 save performance as Edmonton out shot Calgary 35-19.

The Oil Kings forced the extra session when Henrik Samuelsson netted a powerplay goal with just under seven minutes remaining in regulation time.

Trevor Cheek also scored for the Oil Kings who fell behind 2-0 on home ice.

Victor Rask opened the scoring for the visitors just 1:25 into the opening period on Calgary's first shot on goal.  Zane Jones then extended the Hitmen lead to a pair of goals tipping home a point shot from Spencer Humphries on a second period powerplay. 

Jake Virtanen had a pair of assists for the Hitmen while Jesse Zgraggen was a team leading +2.

Game 2 goes Friday at 7:00 p.m. also in Edmonton.

                                                     Photo Credit: Andy Devlin

Calgary Hitmen 3 at Edmonton Oil Kings 2 OT
Thursday, April 18, 2013 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Calgary 1 1 0 1 - 3
Edmonton 0 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Rask 5 (Macek, Roach), 1:25.
Penalties-Virtanen Cal (roughing), 7:03; Chase Cal (roughing), 18:55; Kosterman Cal (cross checking), 18:55; Rissling Cal (roughing), 18:55; Ewanyk Edm (roughing), 18:55; Moroz Edm (roughing), 18:55.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Jones 2 (Humphries, Virtanen), 3:32 (PP).
3, Edmonton, Cheek 6 (St. Croix, Wruck), 13:42.
Penalties-Lowe Edm (roughing), 3:15; Roach Cal (delay of game), 7:37; Humphries Cal (hooking), 14:48; Gernat Edm (roughing), 18:40; Chase Cal (hooking), 18:58.

3rd Period
4, Edmonton, Samuelsson 7 (Wruck, Moroz), 13:05 (PP).
Penalties-Corbett Edm (holding), 0:31; Lazar Edm (hooking), 7:58; Chase Cal (tripping), 11:59.

OT Period
5, Calgary, Brassart 7 (Virtanen), 1:44.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Calgary 3-9-5-2-19. Edmonton 10-17-6-2-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 3; Edmonton 1 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 9-0-2-0 (35 shots-33 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 8-0-2-0 (19 shots-16 saves).
A-6,337
Referees-Adam Byblow (23), Reagan Vetter (39).
Linesmen-Chris Carlson (92), Darren Spurgeon (61).