OIL KINGS BACK IN THE SERIES

EDMONTON (CP) – Edgars Kulda’s goal with 6:47 remaining in the third period was the winner as the Edmonton Oil Kings bounced back from an early 2-0 loss to remain in the running in the Western Hockey League championships, defeating the defending champion Portland Winterhawks 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Henrik Samuelsson and Luke Bertolucci also scored for the Oil Kings, who are now 9-0 on home ice in the playoffs to cut Portland’s series lead to 2-1.

Chase De Leo and Mathew Dumba responded for the Winterhawks, who suffered just their fourth loss in their last 46 games, a string of success running all the way back to Jan. 11.

As has been the case in every game in the series, the Winterhawks came out flying to grab an early lead in the game, scoring twice in less than a minute to go up 2-0 on their first three shots before the game was even four minutes old.

Portland struck 2:38 into the first period as a big bounce off the boards came out front to De Leo and he spun and beat Edmonton goalie Tristan Jarry with a shot to the top corner for his 10th goal off the playoffs.

Just 52 seconds later it was 2-0 Portland, as Brendan Leipsic fed a pass to defender Dumba in the slot and the Minnesota Wild draft pick made the most of the opportunity.