GDB #33 vs Victoria

Oil Kings (31 20-8-1-2) vs Royals (34 13-18-1-2)

After a few days of practice it is gameday once again for the Edmonton Oil Kings. It is the second and final meeting of the year between the Oil Kings and Victoria Royals.  The Kings are red hot, winning their past nine straight.  Last time out they downed the Prince Albert Raiders 5-3.  TJ Foster had a pair of goals, and Dylan Wruck chipped in with four assists. 

Photo: WHL

 Earlier today Oil King Captain Mark Pysyk found out he made Team Canada for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships.  

Photo: Victoria Royals

The Royals have posted tree victories in their past 16 outings.  They have, however, picked up three of a possible four points in their last two games.  This is their second game of a six game road trip which opened on Saturday in Seattle.  The Royals have had the past few days off and have been staying in Calgary, taking in some of Canada's World Junior Camp.

Players to watch: 

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton: Laurent Brossoit.  The Oil Kings goaltender has been very steady as of late.  During this streak he, along with fellow netminder Tristan Jarry, has been fantastic especially early in games.  Brossoit, a Calgary Flame draft choice, posted his first shut out of the year against Medicine Hat also has three assists on the season.  While the team in front of him have scored 54 goals during the nine game win streak, the Oil King 'tendys have only allowed 15.

Photo: Victoria Royals

Victoria:  Jamie Crooks.  The 19 year old forward is starting to discover his offensive touch in recent games for the Royals.  He picked up a hat trick in the Royals last win, 8-5 over Lethbridge.  Crooks was named the Royals player of the month for November, he posted four goals and nine points in 11 games.

Season Series: The Oil Kings took the first matchup this season 8-2 in Victoria.  The Oil Kings scored early and often in the matchup.  Curtis Lazar tallied 33 seconds into the game and the Kings scored four second period goals to blow the game open.  Michael St. Croix posted four points.

Photo: Victoria Royals

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (17), Tyler Maxwell (17)

VIC- Kevin Sundher (21)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (46)

VIC- Sundher (52)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (18)
VIC- Keith Hamilton (12)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (65)
VIC- Tim Traber (74)

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)

Photo: SBNation.com

VIC- Kevin Sundher- Sabres (3rd, 2010), Tyler Stahl- Hurricanes (6th, 2010).

Injury Report:

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


VIC:  #6, Jesse Zgraggen, Upper body, day to day
#7, Tyler Stahl, Upper body, 1 month +

Notes:  Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is tied for 8th in league scoring (46), Dylan Wruck is tied for 14th (41).  Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied for 9th in rookie scoring in the WHL (24), Curtis Lazar is tied for 17th (17 points). Gernat is also tied in 10th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Gernat will attend the camp for Team Slovkia for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships.  Captain Mark Pysyk will play 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 second rated PK in the league, their PP is 4th.  For Victoria, Kevin Sundher is 6th in scoring (52).  Loga Nelson is 2nd in rookie scoring (35).  Keegan Kanzig will play for Team Pacific at the U-17 Challenge.   Former Oil King Robin Soudek and Taylor Crunk will both miss the game due to suspension. Victoria has allowed a league high 166 goals against this season.  This is the second of two meetings between the two clubs this year.  Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 on the Team 1260.