GDB #20 @ Kelowna

Oil Kings (19 11-6-1-1) vs Kelowna Rockets (18 5-11-1-1)

The Oil Kings continue their four game BC swing tonight in Kelowna.  Edmonton is 1-1 so far, dominating Victoria 8-2 in the opener before losing 4-1 in Vancouver.  Last time out the Giants dictated the pace against Edmonton, and controlled the Kings in the victory.  Griffen Reinhart scored the lone Kings goal in his hometown.  Michael St. Croix added an assist stretching his point streak to 12 games. The Oil Kings will look to rebound tonight in Kelowna before wrapping up the roadie tomorrow in Kamloops.

The Rockets have been struggling after a quick start to the season.  Kelowna opened the campaign with a 4-0-0-0 pace before struggling recently.  The are playing game five of a five game stand and are winless in their last five outings as well (0-4-0-1).  The Rockets have won two of their last 15.

Players to watch: 

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton: Kristians Pelss.  The second year Oil King sits in a tie for the team lead in goal scoring with eight (Stephane Legault).  Pelss is a threat to score each night, and has speed to burn.  An Oiler draft choice (seventh round, 2010), Pelss has added a physical edge to his game this year and has been involved in two fights this season.  He will be a key to the Latvian entry in the upcoming World Junior Championships after he led them back to the main pool last season.

Kelowna: Brett Bulmer.  He started the season in the NHL, suiting up in nine games for the Minnesota Wild before heading back to Kelowna.  Bulmer registered three assists in the show and has been off to a torrid pace this year in the WHL.  In three games he has a pair of goals and seven points.

Last Year: The Oil Kings were 1-1 with the Rockets last year.  The win was their first in modern franchise history over Kelowna.  The Rockets have an 7-1-0-0 all time mark against the Kings.  Edmonton will be looking for their first win in Kelowna tonight.  All time they are 0-3-0-2 at Prospera Place.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Stephane Legault, Kristians Pelss (8)

KEL- Colton Sissons (8)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (22)

KEL- Shane McColgan (20)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (10)
KEL- Adam Brown (5)

PIMS- EDM- Mark Pysyk (39)
KEL- Mitchell Chapman (34)

Drafted:

EDM- Mark Pysyk-Buffalo Sabres (1st Round, 2010), Kristians Pelss- Edmonton Oilers (7th, 2010), Keegan Lowe- Carolina Hurricanes (3rd, 2011), Travis Ewanyk- Oilers (3rd, 2011), Michael St. Croix- New York Rangers (4th, 2011), Martin Gernat- Oilers (5th, 2011), Laurent Brossoit- Calgary Flames (6th, 2011)

KEL- Brett Bulmer- Minnesota Wild (2nd, 2010), Shane McColgan- Rangers (5th, 2011)

Notes:  Oil Kings defenceman Martin Gernat is 4th in rookie scoring in the WHL (18 points), Curtis Lazar is 10th (13 points). Gernat is also 4th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is third in the league in minutes played (1002).  Michael St. Croix (6-14-20) has a twelve game point streak.  Oil Kings Mark Pysyk, Griffen Reinhart, and St. Croix have been named to Team WHL for the Subway Series with Russia.  Brett Bulmer, Zach Franko and Colton Sissons will represent Kelowna. Rockets netminder Adam Brown was a camp invite of the Oilers this season. This is the first of three meetings this season between the clubs.  They will play in Kelowna again on February 15th before meeting at Rexall Place a week later.  For a more in depth look at the Rockets visit Regan Bartel's blog. Pregame show at 7:45, the puck drops at 8:05 on the Team 1260.