MORRIS TIP-IN CAPS WILD FINISH, GIVES OIL KINGS WIN OVER FLYERS

LEDUC, Alta. – Doug Morris tipped in the game-winner with 36 seconds to go, capping a wild finish and giving the host Leduc Oil Kings a 5-4 victory over the Moncton Flyers on Monday night.

Morris’ goal came 1:46 after Evan Polei tied the game for Leduc, and just seconds after a potential game-winning goal, which would have been credited to Morris, was waved off due to a high stick.

The Oil Kings became just the eighth host team in the last 20 years to open with a victory.

Carter Huebner and Cole MacDonald also scored for Leduc (1-0), while Kord Pankewicz added three assists in the victory. Oil Kings netminder Brett Zarowny made 18 saves as Leduc outshot Moncton 38-22, including 14-3 in the decisive third period.

Matt Bernier, with two, Shane Dallaire and Stephen Johnson had the goals for Moncton (0-1), which lost for just the second time in 23 games, dating back to the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget League regular season. Flyers captain Lindon Beckwith chipped in with three assists, while goaltender Vincent Charest stopped 33 shots in a losing cause.

Special teams played a major role for both teams; the Oil Kings and Flyers each had two power play goals and one shorthanded – Leduc was 2-for-6 on the power play, while Moncton finished 2-for-4 with the man advantage.

The Oil Kings are back in front of the home crowd at the Leduc Recreation Centre on Tuesday night against the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves (7:30 p.m. MT), while the Flyers face the Red Deer Rebels in an afternoon contest (4 p.m. MT).