The Edmonton Oil Kings avoided elimination with a 3-2 overtime win over the host Portland Winterhawks in Game 5 of the Western Hockey League final Friday night at the Rose Garden.
Michael St. Croix completed his hat trick 7:24 into extra time to help the Kings, featuring Vernon’s Curtis Lazar, stay alive in best-of-seven set. Game 6 goes today at Rexall Place in Edmonton.
Portland’s Joey Baker opened the scoring just 15 seconds into Game 5 before St. Croix replied for Edmonton midway through the period. Brendan Leipsic scored late in regulation to force OT.
The winner advances to the MasterCard Memorial Cup, May 17-26, in Saskatoon.