GDB #28 vs Calgary

Oil Kings (27 16-8-1-2) vs Calgary Hitmen (26 14-10-1-1)

Two of the hottest teams in the WHL collide tonight at Rexall Place.  Both the Oil Kings and Hitmen come in tonight on four game win streaks.  The Oil Kings continue their 11 game homestand, after defeating the Spokane Chiefs 4-1 on Tuesday night.  It wasn't the prettiest game but the Oil Kings were able to capitalize on their chances.  Once again Michael St. Croix led the way with 3 points (1-2-3) and Dylan Wruck chipped in a pair of goals.  Laurent Brossoit was solid earning his 14th win of the year.


The Hitmen wrap up a five game road trip tonight, they are undefeated so far.  They swept through the Eastern division, scoring at least five goals in each game.  Calgary won only one of their first six games, but have been moving up the standings ever since.

Players to watch: 

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton: Michael St. Croix.  After a bit of a slow start to the season, St. Croix has really elevated his game in recent weeks.  He went on a 12 game point streak earlier this season and is riding another five game streak now (7-7-14).  The Ranger draft pick has taken over the team lead in goals and points and is knocking on the door of the top ten in the WHL.

Calgary:  Jimmy Bubnick.  The 20 year old is enjoying a bounce back season thus far this year.  After posting 27 points in 60 games last year, Bubnick has 11 goals and 24 points in 26 contests this year.  Bubnick was a 6th round selection of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009.

Last Year: Edmonton was 5-1 against Calgary last season after going winless in six games in '09-'10.  Last season Calgary won only 20 games and finished last in the WHL.  The year before they led the league with 107 points and made an appearance at the Memorial Cup.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (14)

CGY- Victor Rask (13)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (36)

CGY- Cody Sylvester (28)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (14)
CGY- Brandon Glover, Chris Driedger (7)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (55)
CGY- Spencer Humphries (57)

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)

CGY- Jimmy Bubnick- Atlanta Thrashers (6th, 2009), Brooks Macek- Detroit Red Wings (6th, 2010), Victor Rask- Hurricanes (2nd, 2011), Alex Roach signed free agent (Los Angeles Kings)

Injury Report:

EDM:  #7, Stephane Legault, Illness, day to day
#15, David Stephens, Upper body, week to week
#21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, 1 month +


CGY:  #6, Keaton Lubin, Upper body, week to week
#12, Joe Kornelsen, Upper body, 1 week

Notes:  Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is11th in league scoring (36). Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied for 6th in rookie scoring in the WHL with Calgary's Victor Rask (22 points), Curtis Lazar is 14th (16 points). Gernat is also tied for 6th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Gernat has also been named to Team Slovkia for the upcoming World Junior Hockey Championships.  Captain Mark Pysyk has been invited to participate in the selection camp for Team Canada.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 3rd in GAA (2.37).  This is the first of six meetings between the two clubs this year.  They will meet three times in Edmonton before the Christmas break.  Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 on the Team 1260.