GDB #6 vs Saskatoon

Oil Kings (5 3-2-0-0) vs Blades (6 2-4-0-0)

The Oil Kings look to snap their two game losing skid tonight against Saskatoon, a team that has also lost back to back games.  The Kings are coming off a pair of 4-1 losses, at the hands of the Hitmen and Raiders.  TJ Foster is the only Oil King that has been able to find the back of the net over the last 120 minutes as well, scoring both Edmonton markers.  It is the first time since January of 2011 that the Oil Kings have dropped two straight home games.
The Blades might be exactly what the Oil Kings need right now, as they are struggling having lost 10-1 last night at the hands of the Swift Current Broncos.  The Blades, the Memorial Cup host team, are off to an uneven start with just a pair of victories both coming after regulation.  Both teams will be looking to get back on track in what should be a physical tilt tonight.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Year: The Oil Kings were 3-1 last year against the Blades.  Their lone loss was earlier in the season in Toon Town.  The Blades were fifth in the East last year posting 40 wins.  The playoffs were a disappointment though, with the Tigers sweeping the Blades in the first round.

The Opposition: The Blades started their preparations for the Memorial Cup during the offseason bringing in Shane McColgan from Kelowna, and twenty year old Brendan Walker from Brandon.  The team has named Walker as their new captain, taking over from Avalanche first round pick Duncan Siemens.  Siemens remains on the team and leads a steady defence core that includes a pair of Montreal picks in Dalton Thrower and Darren Dietz.  In goal is Russian World Junior representative Andrey Makarov.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings



Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Curtis Lazar (4)

SAS- Josh Nicholls (3)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (6)

SAS- Nicholls (6)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (2)

SAS- Andrey Makarov (2)

PIMS- EDM- Mason Geertsen (16)

SAS- Jesse Astles (16)

Next Up:  The Kings begin a two game road trip tomorrow afternoon in Calgary, where they look to avenge last week's loss to the Hitmen.  They will also pay a visit to the Medicine Hat Arena on Wednesday.  Saskatoon is making a quick stop in Edmonton between home games.  They hosted Swift last night, and face the Winterhawks on Wednesday.

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).

SAS- Josh Nicholls- Toronto Maple Leafs (7th, 2010, unsigned), Duncan Siemens- Colorado Avalanche (1st, 2011), Shane McColgan- Rangers (5th, 2011), Darren Dietz- Montreal Canadiens (5th, 2011), Matej Stransky- Dallas Stars (6th, 2011), Lukas Sutter- Winnipeg Jets (2nd, 2012), Dalton Thrower- Canadiens (2nd, 2012), Andrey Makarov (signed free agent, Buffalo Sabres).

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminery Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM)
B Skaters- Mason Geertsen (EDM)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

SAS:  none

Roster notes: Dyan Wruck returned to the lineup last game for Edmonton.  Keegan Lowe is a gametime decision with a lower body injury.  Blades defenceman Dalton Thrower was a healthy scratch last night.  According to head coach Lorne Molleken in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix it was because Thrower had been “playing by his own rules.” 
 

Notes: Tonight is one of nine games on the WHL schedule. It is the first of four meetings between the two clubs this season. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.