GDB #14

Oil Kings(13 8-3-1-1) vs Everett Silvertips (13 3-8-0-2)

The Oil Kings wrap up their four game home stand tonight against the Everett Silvertips.  The Kings are 2-1 over their last three games and are coming off an impressive 8-4 win over the Portland Wnterhawks.  Eight different players tallied goals including Ashton Sautner's first WHL goal. Dylan Wruck had four points, and his line with Mike St. Croix and Curtis Lazar led the way with a combined 10 points on the night.

Everett plays game three of a season long nine game road trip here tonight at Rexall Place.  The 'Tips are a young squad featuring a pair of NHL drafted players in Kent Simpson and Josh Birkholz.  They ended a three game losing skid Sunday in Seattle, downing the T-Birds 5-1.  Bad news for draft watchers as potential top five pick Ryan Murray will not be in the lineup tonight after injuring his ankle.  

Players to watch:

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Edmonton: Curtis Lazar.  The highly touted 16 year old is growing in confidence in each WHL game.  Lazar is coming of his second multi point game this season, picking up three assists in the win over Portland.  Lazar now has nine points on the season but is impressing scouts with all round game, finishing checks and being in the right spot defensively.  Look for the Kings to use Lazar with  Wruck and St. Croix again tonight

Everett:  Kent Simpson.  The 19 year old Chicago Blackhawks prospect will likely be busy in his home town tonight for the 'Tips.  He has defeated the Kings in his last two starts against them, including last year's 3-1 win in Everett.  Simpson will be relied upon heavily while top defenceman Ryan Murray is out of the lineup.  Look for a strong performance in what could be Simpson's last appearance at Rexall Place as a junior.

Last Year:  The Silvertips took the lone meeting between the clubs last season 3-1 in Everett.  The Oil Kings  goal spoiled Simpson's shutout bid with less than 10 seconds left in the game.  It wasn't a pretty effort that night for Edmonton, the game closed out their four game US road trip.  Everett managed to finish 8th last season in the Western conference, but were swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the Portland Winterhawks.


Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster, Martin Gernat, Stephane Legault (6)

EVT- Tyler Maxwwll, Josh Birkholz (8)

Points- EDM- Gernat (16)

EVT- Birkholz (14)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (8)
EVT- Simpson (3)

PIMS- EDM- Mark Pysyk, Mason Geertsen (27)
EVT- Jesse Mychan (38)

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)

EVT- Josh Birkholz- Florida Panthers (3rd, 2009), Kent Simpson- Chicago Blackhawks (2nd, 2010).

Notes:  Oil Kings defenceman Martin Gernat is tied for the lead in rookie scoring with 16 points.  He is the overall leader amongst defenceman in scoring.  For Edmonton Michael St. Croix and TJ Foster are riding six game point streaks.  Ryan Murray is out for up to five weeks with a high ankle sprain.  Murray also missed the lone trip to Rexall place in 2009-2010 due to injury.  The Kings hit the road tomorrow heading to Regina where they face the Pats Friday night.