Oilers sink Islanders 3-2

Edmonton's Robert Nilsson follows New York's Richard Park as he skates up the boards during first period action January 5, 2009 at Rexall Place. (Photo by Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club)

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GAME CENTRE

Pre-Game Info Preview Game Notes Head-to-Head Stats Comparison Video interviews Audio interviews In-Game Audio Charlie Huddy - 1st Intermission Zack Stortini - 2nd Intermission Photo Gallery Click here for the photo gallery Post-Game Video Video Highlights Post-game comments from Kyle Brodziak, Andrew Cogliano, Jason Strudwick & Craig MacTavish Post-Game Podcast Kyle Brodziak Andrew Cogliano Jason Strudwick Craig MacTavish Three Stars Jason Strudwick, EDM - Scored first goal of season & finished +2 Dwayne Roloson, EDM - 25 saves Andrew Cogliano, EDM - Game-winning goal Update With the win, Edmonton improves to 19-16-3 and moves into a tie with Minnesota for eighth spot in the Western Conference and third spot in the Northwest Division. What's Next Edmonton continues their five-game homestand when they host Vancouver Wednesday, January 7th. Game time is 8:00pm.

by Jen Sharpe | edmontonoilers.com

Despite trailing the Islanders 2-0 after the first 20 minutes, the Oilers battled back with three unanswered goals -- including Andrew Cogliano's third-period game-winner -- to earn a 3-2 victory Monday night. Linemates Kyle Brodziak and Jason Strudwick scored Edmonton's first two goals, while Dwayne Roloson stopped 25 shots for his 11th win of the season.

FIRST PERIOD

The Islanders outplayed the Oilers in the first four minutes of the game, a fact that was reflected on the shot-clock (4-1) and eventually the scoreclock. After capitalizing on a turnaround deep in the home zone, Kyle Okposo tucked the puck under Dwayne Roloson's crossbar to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

After the Isles crafted a commanding 8-1 shot lead, the Oilers got a shot at payback when Chris Campoli  took a hooking penalty. But New York's Joey MacDonald stopped Edmonton's lone powerplay shot to keep his club up by one.

In the period's final two minutes, Edmonton's Steve Staios was called for cross-checking and New York went on their first powerplay. Although the Oilers killed the majority of the infraction, Blake Comeau snapped the puck under Roloson's blocker with 2.6 seconds left on the clock to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead heading into the middle frame.

630 CHED's Dan Tencer talks to Assistant Coach Charlie Huddy after 20 minutes.

SECOND PERIOD

Both teams had tallied two second-period shots each when New York's Mark Streit earned a delay-of-game penalty for flipping the puck over the glass. But like on their first five-on-four, the Oilers were unable to score on their lone man-advantage attempt and continued to trail by two.

Although the Oilers couldn't cut the Isles' lead on the powerplay, two minutes of penalty killing paved the way for the club's first goal of the game. Shortly after Ethan Moreau completed his goaltender interference penalty, the Oilers descended on MacDonald. From along the goal-line, Kyle Brodziak deflected a sharp-angle shot off a visiting defender and into the net to cut New York's lead to one.

Five minutes later, Brodziak's line connected again. Zack Stortini battled for the puck behind the Islanders' net and got it to Jason Strudwick out front. The puck bounced off Strudwick's skate and under MacDonald, and after a lengthy video review, any kicking motion was dismissed: the Oilers got their equalizer and #43 got his first goal of the season.

After 40 minutes, Edmonton and New York were tied 2-2 with the Islanders carrying a 23-17 shot lead.

Tencer talks to Zack Stortini in the second intermission.

THIRD PERIOD

The Oilers had a handful of good scoring opportunities early in the third -- including a narrow miss on an open net by Moreau and two chances during the club's third powerplay -- but a go-ahead goal eluded the home team.

Until the midway point of the final frame, that is. After MacDonald stopped a slapshot by Marc Pouliot, Moreau was unable to control the rebound but Andrew Cogliano snuck in and snapped back the resting puck to put the Oilers up 3-2.

With just over five minutes left in regulation, New York's Josh Bailey had Roloson beat but pinged the puck off the post, triggering sighs of relief from the crowd. Despite pulling MacDonald and opting for six skaters in the final minute, the Islanders were unable to break their 12-game road losing streak as the Oilers held on for a 3-2 victory.