GDB #3 @ Lethbridge

Oil Kings(2 2-0-0-0) @ Hurricanes(2 1-1-0-0)

The Oil Kings hit the road for the first time this season tonight in Lethbridge.  The Kings are coming off a pair of opening weekend wins, 5-2 over Kootenay and a 6-2 decision over the Rebels.  Meanwhile the Hurricanes split a pair of games with Medicine Hat.  Tonight the Kings will look to run their regular season winning record to 14 straight, going back to the end of last season.    



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Year: The Oil Kings were 5-1 last season against the Hurricanes.  Their only loss was early in the season at the Enmax Centre.  That loss signaled a changing point in the year for Edmonton as they became a more consistent team after that game, ripping off eleven straight victories heading into the Christmas break.

 

The Opposition: The 'Canes continue to be a rebuilding team this year with nine seventeen year olds and three sixteen year olds on their roster.  Last year the club won 29 games, finishing 11th in the WHL's Eastern Conference.  Expect a competitive club that could surprise some teams this year.  Once again they went out and brought in a veteran twenty year old goalie to be the back bone of the team.  Last season it was Damien Ketlo, this year it is former Tri-City American Ty Rimmer.


Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix, Curtis Lazar (3)

LET- Sam Mckechnie (2)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (4)

LET- Mckechnie (2)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (2)

LET- Ty Rimmer (1)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (9)

LET- Spencer Galbraith (14)

Next Up:  The Oil Kings return home for a three game homestand, opening Friday against the Calgary Hitmen.  They also welcome Prince Albert and Saskatoon.  The Hurricanes hit the road for three games beginning Saturday night in Kootenay.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted:

EDM- Keegan Lowe- Carolina Hurricanes (3rd, 2011), Travis Ewanyk- Edmonton Oilers (3rd, 2011), Michael St. Croix- New York Rangers (4th, 2011), Martin Gernat- Oilers (5th, 2011), Laurent Brossoit- Calgary Flames (6th, 2011), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

LET- None

Injury Report:

EDM: #11 Dylan Wruck, Upper body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, TBD

LET: #2 Connor Sutton,upper body, day-to-day

#5 Dan Johnston, upper body, day-to-day

#14 Ryan Pilon, upper body, indefinite

#2 Axel Blomqvist, lower body, day-to-day

Photo: Rogan Dean

Notes: The Hurricanes have reassigned goaltender Tanner Kovacs to Whitecourt of the AJHL. Portland's Nic Petan has been named this week's WHL Player of the Week. The Rebels have acquired 20 year old defenceman Brandon Underwood from the Regina Pats in exchange for a 4th round bantam pick in the 2013 draft. Earlier in the week the Rebels acquired 18 year old Matt Bellerive from Vancouver for a 3rd round pick in 2014.  The Giants have picked up 20 year old Trevor Cheek from Calgary in exchange for 4th and 5th round bantam picks.  Former Oil King defenceman  Ryan Dech has committed to the University of Regina where he will suit up for the Cougars in the CIS.  Tonight is the first of six meetings between the Oil Kings and Hurricanes.  Pregame show at 6:55, puck drop at 7:05 on the Team 1260.