Kulda with three points as Oil Kings open second-round series with a victory

EDMONTON - Edgars Kulda had a goal and two assists to help pace the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 4-1 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers in Western Hockey League playoff action Friday night.

Stephane Legault, Mitch Moroz and Travis Ewanyk had the other goals for the Oil Kings, who have a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference second-round matchup.

Kyle Becker scored the lone goal for the Tigers.

Kulda opened up the scoring at 15:53 of the first period after taking the puck off the end boards at the edge of the crease and jamming it between the legs of Medicine Hat netminder Cam Lanigan.

Early in the second period, Edmonton goaltender Laurent Brossoit robbed Boston Leier from the high slot by flashing the leather on a shot labeled for the top corner to keep the Oil Kings ahead.

Moments later, Legault doubled the Oil Kings' lead off a feed from Michael St. Croix with what turned out to be the eventual winner.

Moroz's goal, which was a wrap-around at 5:54 of the third period, pushed Edmonton ahead 3-0.

Becker put an end to Brossoit's bid at his third shutout of the post-season as he put the Tigers on the scoreboard at 7:30 with a shot just under the crossbar.

Ewanyk iced the game with a high-slot wrister to the glove side at 17:33.

Brossoit stopped 21 shots in net for Edmonton as Lanigan made 29 saves for Medicine Hat.

The Oil Kings went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Tigers went 0 for 5.

Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday in Edmonton at Rexall Place.