Oilers rookies double up on Bears at Rexall Wednesday night

Rexall Place was abuzz on Wednesday night, as 14,434 fans watched the Oilers rookie squad battle the Alberta Golden Bears.

The game’s main attraction was Oilers rookie Connor McDavid — and the first overall pick from the 2015 draft didn’t disappoint, registering three assists in a 6-3 win for the Oilers rookie squad.

Golden Bears coach Serge Lajoie spoke about McDavid after the game.

“He’s special,” Lajoie said.

“When he has (the puck), it’s one step and he beats you.”

The game wasn’t a one sided affair though. The Bears scored first, as forward Rhett Rachinski collected a rebound at the side of the net and backhanded it past the rookie squad’s goalie Eetu Laurikainen.

The Oiler rookies were able to equalize just over four minutes later, as 2014 third-overall pick Leon Draisaitl beat Bears goalie Luke Siemens with a one timer from the low slot on the power play.

At the 12-minute mark, Alexis Loiseau finished off a nifty pass from McDavid to put the Oil up 2-1.

After the Oilers rookies added another goal, Bears forward Jordan Hickmott, who was playing in his third Bears vs. Oilers rookie game, scored late in the second to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Starting the third period, the Bears were only down by one, but the Oilers weren’t going to let the game slip away. Josh Winquist scored to push the deficit to 4-2, with Draisaitl recording his fourth point of the night with an assist on the goal. Jamie Crooks was able to pull the Bears within one again, but Cole Sanford responded for the Oiler rookies just 12 seconds afterwards, finishing off a pass from McDavid on a two on one break.

Anton Slepyshev added the final goal for the Oilers, banging in a rebound off a net front scramble, making the game 6-3.

Despite the loss, the Bears acquitted themselves very well, as they outshot the Oilers rookies 37-30 overall.

McDavid was also impressed by the green and gold.

“They’re all very good players over there,” McDavid said.

“They’re tough guys to play against and they’re very good systematically – that comes with playing together for a little bit.”

The Golden Bears are set to open their season Oct. 23 at home against the Mount Royal Cougars.

With files from Richard Catangay-Liew