GDB #11

Oil Kings (10 6-2-1-1) vs Regina Pats (8 6-2-0-0)

The Oil Kings return home to Rexall place to face the surprising Regina Pats.  The Kings are coming off a very successful road trip that saw them earn 8 of a possible 10 points.  Edmonton is now alone atop the WHL standing for the first time in modern franchise history with 14 points in 10 games.  Edmonton wrapped up the trip with a very impressive 6-1 win in Cranbrook against the defending WHL Champion, Kootenay Ice.  Curtis Lazar had a pair of goals and once again Laurent Brossoit was steady, giving up one goal on 32 shots.


Regina is off to a fast start to the season as well with six wins in their first eight games.  New head coach Pat Conacher has really put an early stamp on the team, making every player accountable.  Last game out for them was Wednesday night in Calgary when Jordan Weal and Dyson Stevenson both scored in the final 2:50 to tie the score and force a shoot-out, which the Pats won.

Players to watch: 

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton:  Michael St. Croix.  The New York Ranger draftee had a bit of a slow start to the season with Edmonton.  He has hit stride though in his last few games and has once again become an offensive leader on the club.  He is the modern franchise leader in all time scoring (127 points) and the single assist leader (48).  St. Croix is currently riding a three game point streak (2-2-4).

Regina:  Brandon Davidson.The 20 year old captain is the veteran leader of the Pats.  He is an Oiler draft pick (7th in 2010).  Davidson has been very productive from the blueline for the Pats, registering 51 points last season and eight in eight games this season.

Last year: The Oil Kings had their way with the Pats last season going 4-0, and outscoring them 27-8 in the process.  Regina finished 10th in the East and missed the playoffs for the 3rd straight campaign.

Leaders:

Goals

EDM- Martin Gernat, Stephane Legault (5) 

REG-  Dyson Stevenson (4)

Points

EDM- Gernat (14)
REG- Jordan Weal (11)

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)


REG- Jordan Weal- LA Kings (3rd, 2010), Brandon Davidson- Oilers (6th, 2010), Ricard Blidstrand- Philadelphia Flyers (7th, 2010)


Notes:  Defenceman Griffen Reinhart will make his return to the lineup tonight after serving his 5 game suspension.  The Oil Kings were 4-1 without him.  Regina features 17 year old Chandler Stephensen, the younger brother of Edmonton's Colton.  Edmonton is 7-8-0-1 all time against the Pats.  Stephane Legault is riding a four game point streak (5-1-6).  Curtis Lazar is coming off his first ever two goal in the WHL.  Dylan Wruck registered three assists in Kootenay.  Tonights game opens a four game home stand for the Oil Kings.  Next up is a date with Moose Jaw on Wednesday.  Pats head coach Pat Conacher played 45 games for the Oilers in '83-'84.  Regina acquired 20 year old Matt Marantz from Lethbridge earlier in the week for a 4th round pick.  Regina's Dominik Volek is the son of former NHLer David Volek.  Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 on the Team 1260.