GAME RECAP: Flames Rookies 4, Oilers Rookies 3 (OT)

PENTICTON, B.C. – Of course this game was decided with a power-play goal.

The Oilers Rookies and Flames Rookies each had seven man advantages in a penalty-filled affair on Saturday night at the Young Stars Classic, and it was Calgary's second PPG of the game that ended the all-prospects Battle of Alberta in overtime to give the squad in red a 4-3 sudden-death triumph.

Adam Klapka's tip in front of Oilers Rookies netminder Joey Rocha midway through the OT frame gave the Flames Rookies the win, and gave each squad a 1-1 record through two games in Penticton.

"That felt like a real game out there," said Oilers Rookies coach Colin Chaulk, who's also the bench boss of the AHL's Bakersfield Condors. "That felt like a game that we played in the Saddledome, like a Condors-Wranglers game. It was a heavy, physical game, and it was a tight game. Our power play was excellent. Our PK was very good as well."

The Oilers Rookies converted three of their seven power plays, getting man-advantage goals from Brady Stonehouse, Carl Berglund and Matvey Petrov, but they never led in the game as each of those markers came in an equalizing fashion.

"It's the Battle of Alberta, right?" Petrov said of the feisty affair and ensuing special teams showdown. "There's always emotion in the game and stuff like that, but I think we did a really good job today and I'm looking forward to our next game."

Ilya Nikolaev scored Calgary's first two goals, and Matt Coronato put them up 3-2 with 11:37 to go in the third period on the power play. But it was Petrov who forced extra time when he wired a one-timer top shelf past netminder Connor Murphy with 7:29 remaining in regulation.

"He made some nice plays on the power play," Chaulk said of Petrov, who also set up Berglund's goal by banking a pass off the centreman's skate. "He sees some ice, he shoots the puck, and he makes some backdoor sneaky passes."

Despite the defeat on Saturday, the Oilers Rookies have now gone 17 straight Young Stars games without a regulation loss.

Edmonton's prospects will practice Sunday and conclude their Young Stars schedule Monday afternoon against the host Canucks Rookies at 2:30pm MT.

"They've had a real tough four days here as far as travel, medicals, testing, practices and back-to back-games," Chaulk said of the squad. "We want them understanding how that feels, but then learning their health and wellness tomorrow to recharge and recover and get ready for Monday."

The Oilers Rookies will bring a 1-1 record into their third and final matchup, while Vancouver's Rookies opened the event on Friday with a decisive 7-1 win over the Flames Rookies.

Fans can watch all Oilers Rookies games live on Oilers+ for free with a three-day trial and purchase a full-year subscription for just $23.99 with the promo code ROOKIE23. The offer active will be active through end of day on Monday, Sept. 18. Click here to start your subscription.

POST-GAME ESSENTIALS

• OILERS TODAY | Post-Game vs. CGY
• POST-RAW | Matvey Petrov
• POST-RAW | Colin Chaulk
• HIGHLIGHTS | Oilers Rookies Goals
• GALLERY | Oilers Rookies vs. Flames Rookies
• THE PANEL | Young Stars 2023