GDB #50 vs Brandon

Oil Kings (37 24-9-1-3) vs Wheat Kings (37 21-14-1-1)

The Oil Kings continue a five game homestand tonight as they welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings to town.  Edmonton is coming off a 5-4 overtime loss at the hands of the Tri-City Americans, in what was an absolutely fantastic hockey game on Wednesday night.  There were a combined 90 shots, 9 goals, and plenty of action between two of the top teams in the league.  Griffin Reinhart, in his return to the lineup, led the way with 2 goals, while Henrik Samuelsson, and Dylan Wruck had a pair of assists each.

The Wheat Kings come in tonight in a battle for their playoff lives.  Currently the Wheaties hold down the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, leading Red Deer by four points, with the Rebels holding three games in hand.  Last time out, Brandon was hammered 7-2 by the Calgary Hitmen.  They do have starting netminder Corbin Boes back from injury, but look for Curtis Honey to get the start at Rexall tonight.  The Wheat Kings have won just three of their last 13 outings.  Tonight will feature a battle between two world junior teammates in Mark Pysyk of the Oil Kings and Mark Stone of the Wheaties.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series: This is the final meeting between the clubs this season.  Edmonton has won the previous two meetings by scores of 7-1 and 7-3.  Brandon won the first matchup of the clubs 3-2 at Westman Place back in October.  This is a potential first round playoff preview in the Eastern Conference.

Up Next:  The Oil Kings are right back in action tomorrow night when the Vancouver Giants roll into Rexall Place.  Both Brendan Gallagher and David Musil are expected to be in the lineup after rehabbing injuries.  The Oil Kings are playing game two of a five game homestand tonight.  Meanwhile Brandon has a huge matchup with the Rebels tomorrow night at the Centrium in Red Deer.  That game will wrap up a four game road swing for Brandon.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (31)
BDN- Mark Stone (31)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (77)
BDN- Stone (76)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (27)
BDN- Brandon Anderson (12)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (97)
BDN- Ryley Miller (95)

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)

BDN- Kevin Sundher- Sabres (3rd, 2010),Michael Ferland- Flames (5th round, 2010), Mark Stone- Ottawa Senators (6th, 2010), Darian Dziurzynski- Phoenix Coyotes (5th, 2011), Brandon Anderson signed free agent- Washington Capitals.

Injury Report:
EDM: #21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, week to week
#22, Ryan Dech, Lower body, 1 month+
#24, Mason Geertsen, Upper body, 2 weeks

BDN: #7, Eric Roy, Upper body, day to day
#21, Tyrel Seaman, Upper body, 2 week

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Notes: Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is 3rd in league scoring (77), Dylan Wruck is 11th (64). Defenceman Martin Gernat is 9th in rookie scoring (33), Curtis Lazar is 19th (23). Gernat is also 14th in scoring amongst defencemen. Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 4th in GAA (2.46), and is 3rd in wins (27). For Brandon, Mark Stoneis 4th in scoring (76), Kevin Sundher is 8th (70), Michael Ferland is tied in 13th (59). Alessio Bertaggia is tied in 5th in rookie scoring (39). Ryan Pulock is third in scoring amongst defencemen (43) and Eric Roy is tied in 4th (39). This is the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs this year. Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 on the Team 1260.