GDB #32 vs Prince Albert

Oil Kings (31 20-8-1-2) vs Raiders (33 9-21-1-2)

The Oil Kings return to action tonight at Rexall Place against the Prince Albert Raiders.  The Kings are leading the Eastern Conference with 43 points, while the Raiders are in the cellar with 21 points.  Edmonton is coming off a big 7-3 win over the Wheat Kings on Thursday night, and are looking for their ninth straight win tonight.  The Oil Kings have outscored their opponents 49-15 during the streak.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

The Raiders have been hot as of late as well, winning three of their last four, and coming off a shoot out loss to Calgary last night.  The Raiders built up a 3-0 lead, before Calgary scored four straight goals to take the lead.  Mark McNeill evened the score on a penalty shot sending the game to OT.  The Raiders will be without McNeill tonight as he is down in Calgary at the World Junior Selection Camp, along with Oil King captain Mark Pysyk.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Players to watch: 

Edmonton: Griffem Reinhart.  Reinhart has been a force lately for the Kings.  'The Big Cat' as he is called has five points in his last three games, and has equalled his goal total of last season with six.  He has been a big part of the Oil Kings recent power play success, and with Mark Pysyk gone for the World Junior camp, he will be facing the other teams top offensive players with more regularity.

Brandon:  Mike Winther.  In his second WHL season the 17 year old Winther has begun to discover his offensive game.  He has 13 goals and 23 points in 33 games this season for the Raiders.  He has points in his last three games, including a five point outing against the Regina Pats.  With McNeill gone, look for Winther to receive more offensive minutes for the young Raider team.

Season Series: The Oil Kings are 2-0 against PA this season.  Edmonton posted a 4-1 win in PA early in the season and knocked off the Raiders 4-3 at Rexall back in  November.  The teams will play once more in Prince Albert on January 21st.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (16), Tyler Maxwell (16)

PA- Justin Maylan (15)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (43)

PA- Maylan (37)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (18)
PA- Eric Williams (8)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (63)
PA- Tyler Yaworski (91)

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)

PA- Mark McNeill- Chicago Blackhawks (1st, 2011), Harrison Ruopp- Phoenix Coyotes (3rd, 2011).  Kellan Tochkin signed free agent- Vancouver Canucks.

Injury Report:

EDM:  #15, David Stephens, Upper body, week to week
#21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, 1 month +


PA: #17, Todd Fiddler, Lower body, day to day
#20, Shane Danyluk, Upper body, 1 month +

Notes:  Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is 11th in league scoring (43), Dylan Wruck is tied for 15th (37).  Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied for 8th in rookie scoring in the WHL (24), Curtis Lazar is tied for 16th (17 points). Gernat is also tied in 7th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Gernat will attend the camp for Team Slovkia for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships.  Captain Mark Pysyk is at the selection camp for Team Canada.  Kristians Pelss has been named to the Latvian preliminary roster.  Curtis Lazar, Mason Geertsen, and Tristan Jarry will play for Team Pacific at the U-17 Challenge in Windsor.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 3rd in GAA (2.35), and is 3rd in wins (18).  The Oil Kings have the top rated PK in the league, their PP is 4th.  For Prince Albert, Justin Maylan is tied for 15th in scoring (37).  Josh Morrisey is tied for 18th in rookie scoring (16).  Mark McNeill is at Canada's camp for the World Junior Hockey Championship. Jonas Knutsen will represent Norway in the B-Pool at the World Juniors.  Josh Morissey will play for Team Pacific at the U-17 Challenge.  PA has allowed a league high 11 SH goals this year.  This is the third of four meetings between the two clubs this year.  Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 on the Team 1260.