Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Final with a 3-2 win over the Canucks in Game 7 at Rogers Arena

 

VANCOUVER, BC - Round 3 is set to begin.

The Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Final with a 3-2 win over the Canucks in Game 7 at Rogers Arena on Monday night, scoring three times in the second period to help build a three-goal lead that was challenged in the final frame after the hosts mounted a late push in the final nine minutes of regulation.


"First and foremost, they're a fantastic team. "They obviously had our number all year," Connor McDavid explained. "It wasn't long ago that we were sat here conducting an interview, talking about losing 8-1, so they had our number, and it feels fantastic to win this series.

"It was a close series. A passionate series. Both fan bases were going berserk. It's exciting to come out on top.

Cody Ceci started the scoring with a slap shot less than two minutes into the middle session, his second Game 7 goal of his career, before Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored before the second interval to give Edmonton a 3-0 lead heading into the final period.

The Canucks weren't going down without a fight, scoring twice through Conor Garland and Filip Hronek in a 3:57 span of the first for a thrilling finale to Monday night's winner-take-all game between two Canadian rivals.

However, the Oilers settled down following a stoppage, preventing their tough opponents from taking any shots in the game's closing two minutes with the net empty.

"A lot of credit to the Vancouver," remarked Head Coach Kris Knoblauch. "They clearly have a lot of pretty outstanding hockey players, and I believe the coaching staff did an excellent job of covering up any shortcomings and getting the most out of their players. Their work ethic and competitiveness would be some of their best qualities, but they're a well-coached, well-rounded hockey club, and there were many tight games.