GDB # 26 vs Lethbridge

Oil Kings (25 14-8-1-2) vs Hurricanes (26 6-19-0-1)

The Lethbridge Hurricanes make their first appearance at Rexall Place tonight.  The Oil Kings are coming off an impressive 3-0 shut out of the Medicine Hat Tigers last night.  Dylan Wruck, Michael St. Croix and Ryan Dech tallied for the Kings.  Laurent Brossoit made 27 stops for his first shut out of the season.


Meanwhile the Hurricanes are coming off a 5-1 win last night in Red Deer and have won three of their last four.  Captain Cam Braes led the way with a pair of goals and an a assist, while Damien Ketlo made 42 saves in the win.

Players to watch: 

Photo:  Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton: Mitch Moroz.  The 17 year old Calgary product has been effective so far this season in a mostly checking role.  Moroz is able to play both ends of the ice, deliver big hits, and chip in some offense.  He scored a power play goal last time out against Lethbridge, his third goal of the year.  He has seen his minutes increase in recent games and has risen to the challenge.  And he has, hands down, the best moustache on the team.

Photo:  Prince George Cougars

Lethbridge:  Nick Buonassisi.  The 19 year old was picked up from Prince George earlier this season.  So far as a Hurricane, he has picked up 10 points in 14 games.  Buonassisi plays a gritty game, and is replied upon for secondary scoring for the 'Canes.  He picked up three points last night in Red Deer.


Season Series: The Oil Kings lead the season series 2-1 so far.  This is the third meeting in a calendar week, and the first in Edmonton between the clubs.  Edmonton has 5-1 and 10-3 victories while Lethbridge posted a 5-2 win.  The teams will play six times this season, and faceoff again January 4th in Edmonton.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Kristians Pelss, Tyler Maxwell, Michael St. Croix (11)

LET- Brody Sutter (11)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (29)

LET- Cam Braes (21)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (13)
LET- Liam Liston, Damien Ketlo (3)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (53)
LET- Graham Hood (59)

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)

LET- Brody Sutter- Carolina Hurricanes (7th, 2011), 

Injury Report:

EDM:  #3, Mark Pysyk, Upper body, day to day
#7, Stephane Legault, Upper body, 1 week
#15, David Stephens, Upper body, week to week
#16, TJ Foster, Upper body, day to day
#21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, 1 month +
#25, Tristan Sieben, Lower body, day to day


LET:#5, Daniel Johnston, Upper body, 1-2 weeks
#15, Michael Sofillas, Upper body, 1 month +
#16, Austin Fyten, Lower body, 1 month +
#26, Max Moline, Lower body, 1 month 

Notes:  Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is 18th in league scoring (29). Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied for 6th in rookie scoring in the WHL (20 points), Curtis Lazar is 12th (16 points). Gernat is also 7th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Gernat has also been named to Team Slovkia for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 4th in the league in minutes played (1407), and is 5th in GAA (2.43).  This is the third of six meetings this season between the clubs, they have  met three times this week (November 19, 22, 26).  . The Hurricanes are in a six game stretch where they face two teams (Edmonton, Red Deer).  Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 on the Team 1260.