Brandon, MB – Birthday boy Martin Gernat had a two goal effort and goaltender Laurent Brossoit posted a 24 save shutout to guide the Oil Kings to a 6-0 win over the Wheat Kings on Wednesday night in Brandon. With the victory, the Oil Kings completed the sweep of the Wheat Kings and their second straight series sweep in the 2012 playoffs. Edmonton extends their winning streak to 19 games and has advanced to the 2012 Husky Eastern Conference Championship for the first time in modern franchise history.

Henrik Samuelsson scored his second of the playoffs to open the scoring for the Oil Kings. The Wheat Kings pushed back and were pressing on a power play when Mark Pysyk extended the lead on a shorthanded marker for his second of the playoffs. TJ Foster picked up his first of three points on the night with the set up pass midway through the first period.



Oilers draft pick Travis Ewanyk would add his third of the playoffs as he broke into the offensive zone and wired a snap shot, top corner to beat Brandon goaltender Corbin Boes. Gernat’s first of two markers gave the Oil Kings a 4 – 0 lead after just 20 minutes of play.



Gernat notched the only goal of the second period and Foster rounded out the scoring in the third. Brandon played the game with their top two scorers, Mark Stone and Michael Ferland, out of the lineup.

The 2012 Husky Eastern Conference Championship Series is set. The Oil Kings sweep over the Wheat Kings and the Moose Jaw Warriors four straight wins over the Medicine Hat Tigers means Edmonton and Moose Jaw will have a break between the second and third round series. It’s the Oil Kings first berth in the Conference final in modern franchise history and the first time the Warriors have made it past the second round since 2006.



HUSKY EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES



Friday, April 20 Moose Jaw @ Edmonton 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 22 Moose Jaw @ Edmonton 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 24 Edmonton @ Moose Jaw 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 25 Edmonton @ Moose Jaw 7:00 p.m.

*Friday, April 27 Moose Jaw @ Edmonton 7:00 p.m.

*Sunday, April 29 Edmonton @ Moose Jaw tbd

*Tuesday, May 1 Moose Jaw @ Edmonton 7:00 p.m.

*if necessary



Tickets for the first two confirmed games of the series go on sale Thursday April 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Those are available at oilkings.ca or by calling (780) 414-GOAL (4625). The 2012 Oil Kings Playoffs are presented by ATB Financial. The Husky Eastern Conference Championship Series will also be shown in its entirety LIVE on SHAW TV.

Now is the best time to become an Oil Kings Season Seat Holder for 2012-13. Secure your seat for next year with a $100 deposit per seat and the next round of the playoffs are included for FREE. Tickets on sale now at oilkings.ca or by calling (780) 414-GOAL (4625).

The Oil Kings 2011-12 season is presented by JLT, Insurance & Risk Management.

Post game audio with reaction from Oil Kings Head Coach Derek Laxdal, Travis Ewanyk, Martin Gernat and Laurent Brossoit now posted.

HUSKY EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINAL

EDMONTON (1) vs. BRANDON (6) – Edmonton wins series 4-0

Game 1 – Friday April Brandon (1) at Edmonton (2)

Game 2 – Saturday April 7 Brandon (3) at Edmonton (4)

Game 3 – Tuesday April 10 Edmonton (5) at Brandon (1)

Game 4 – Wednesday April 11 Edmonton (6) at Brandon (0)

The Oil Kings 2011-12 season is presented by JLT, Insurance & Risk Management.