Dubnyk get shutout

[scamperdog]

Updated: Sep. 17, 2006 at 8:27 PM MDT


Oilers drop Coyotes 5-0 in Winnipeg
Stoll scores twice, Mikhnov nets three points



Devan Dubnyk got the start in goal for Edmonton.
-photo by Jonathan Kozub


Devan Dubnyk's 27-save shutout performance coupled with Jarret Stoll's two goals and Alexei Mikhnov's three points paced the attack as the Edmonton Oilers opened the 2006 preseason with a 5-0 win over the Phoenix Coyotes in Winnipeg, Manitoba on Sunday night.






Last Game: PHOENIX COYOTES 0 EDMONTON OILERS 5 FINAL


Both sides had a bit of a feeling-out process to start the game but after trading penalties five minutes in, they started to open up.

During a four-on-four situation, Toby Petersen and Joffrey Lupul started to create some offence. Lupul found Petersen in the high slot but Coyotes netminder David LeNeveu managed to get his right pad on it.

The Oilers got into some penalty trouble 12 minutes into the period. J-F Jacques was sent off and shortly after, Danny Syvret took his second minor of the period but Edmonton did a good job limiting chances and killing off the two penalties.

Joel Perreault went off for hooking at 14:16 to give Edmonton their third power play of the period. The team went with an interesting setup with Torres, Lupul and Petersen up front and Tjarnqvist and Stoll at the point.

A penalty to Patrick Fischer 30 seconds later gave the quintet a two-man advantage and it didn't take them long to find the twine. Stoll one-timed a shot from the high slot that rang off the top corner of the net. Petersen and Tjarnqvist drew the assists.

After one period, shots on goal were 9-5 in favour of Edmonton.

Georges Laraque almost drew the Coyotes even early in the second after tipping a shot in front of Dubnyk. The Oilers netminder went down to make the stop and while he was out of position, Martin Hanzel's rebound attempt went wide.

Dubnyk came up big again a minute later, gloving down a Derek Morris shot from the point.

Phoenix continued to pour on the pressure in an effort to draw even. Fredrik Sjostrom wired a shot from the left circle that rang off the left post.

Six minutes into the period, Dubnyk came up big again with stops on Don MacLean and Owen Nolan on successive tries.

Philippe Sauve came in to replace LeNeveau at 10:01 of the second period. The Coyotes starter made 11 saves on 12 shots.

Edmonton doubled their lead to 2-0 on Jarret Stoll's second goal of the night. Much like the first goal, Stoll one-timed the puck into the net. This time, he was perched at the top of the left faceoff circle before Patrick Thoresen found him open for the blast.

Alexei Mikhnov scored his first of the preseason with just over a minute left in the period. Mikhnov was standing to the side of the net where he corralled a rebound before sweeping the puck past Sauve.

Dubnyk made some big stops to end the period, first robbing Shane Doan on a close-in chance and then sliding across to deny Mike Comrie on the rebound.

After two periods, shots were 20-16 for Edmonton.

The Devan Dubnyk Show continued into the third as the Oilers netminder made a couple of stellar stops just as the Coyotes were starting to mount an attack.

Play then carried down into the other end where Stephane Goulet was able to find a loose puck in the crease and swat it by Sauve to move Edmonton in front 4-0. Alexei Mikhnov got the assist for his second point of the game.

Mikhnov continued his strong play, cycling the puck and controlling it along the boards for a good 30 seconds. He then threw the puck in front where Winchester batted it down to give Edmonton a five-goal lead.

NOTES: A chant of 'Go Jets Go' erupted in the crowd midway through the third period... The game was the first preseason game in Winnipeg since the Canucks faced the Minnesota Wild in September 2003.

[nivek_wahs]

This is found on the Oilers website at http://www.edmontonoilers.com/gameday/010003/

There is also a pretty cool pic of Dubnyk with Oiler gear on (Blazer mask) if you click on the link.

[Tiger Trauma]

I was listening to the game on internet radio, and it sounded like dubnyk played oustanding. But, I kept forgetting that laraque wasn't an oiler anymore

[Kamfan]

Awesome for Dubby. Hopefully first of many.