GDB #17 vs Seattle

Oil Kings(16 9-5-1-1) vs Seattle Thunderbirds(13 5-8-0-0)

The Oil Kings return to action tonight after a full week off to face the Seattle Thunderbirds.   They have spent the week practising and resting some bumps and bruises.  The Kings are back at Rexall Place for tonight only then hit the road for BC.  Edmonton is coming off back to back losses on their trip east last week.  They played well in both games but couldn't bury their chances.  

Meanwhile the Thunderbirds make their lone appearance at Rexall Place this evening.  They are coming off a long night last night in Red Deer where they lost 8-2 to the Rebels.  Tonight was supposed to mark Braeden Laroque's return to Edmonton but he is day to day nursing an injury and may not play.

Players to watch: 

Edmonton: Cody Corbett.  The newest member of the Oil Kings suited up in Brandon getting his first taste of WHL action.  The Minnesota High School product registered 18 points in 19 games this season for Team Northeast before joining the Kings.  The 17 year old defenceman is in his draft year, being a late birthday in 1993.  Look for him to jump into the rush and play the body tonight at Rexall Place.

Seattle: Calvin Pickard.  Look for Pickard to bounce back tonight after a rough outing in Red Deer, allowing five goals on 22 shots.  Pickard, the younger brother of Milwaukee Admiral tender Chet, is a Colorado Avalanche draft pick.  He will be called upon a lot this year if Seattle remains in contention for a playoff spot out west.  Last year Pickard played 68 games winning 27.  He finished with a goals against average of 3.36 and a .916 save percentage.  Pickard will suit up for Team WHL at the upcoming Subway Super Series.

Last Year: The Oil Kings took the lone matchup between the two teams, 4-2 in Kent, Washington.  The T-Birds had a 2-1 lead in the third period before the Kings beat Pickard for a pair of goals and closed it out with an empty netter.  The T-Birds finished last in the West last year with 64 points.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster (7)

SEA- Marcel Noebels, Burke Gallimore (6)

Points- EDM- Martin Gernat (18)

SEA- Noebels (10)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (8)
SEA- Calvin Pickard (5)

PIMS- EDM- Mason Geertsen (34)
SEA- Mitch Elliot (33)

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)

SEA- Calvin Pickard- Colorado Avalanche (2nd, 2010), Colin Jacobs- Sabres (4th, 2011), Marcel Noebels- Philadelphia Flyers (4th, 2011)

Notes:  Oil Kings defenceman Martin Gernat is second in scoring amongst defencemen and third in rookie scoring. Michael St. Croix (4-9-13) has a nine game point streak.  Oil Kings Mark Pysyk, Griffen Reinhart, and St. Croix have been named to Team WHL for the Subway Series with Russia.  Calvin Pickard will represent Seattle.  The teams are each 2-2 in the four previous matchups.  Pregame show at 6:15, the puck drops at 6:30 on the Team 1260.