Oil Kings (8 4-2-1-1) @ Lethbridge Hurricanes (7 2-4-0-1)
The Oil Kings are back in Alberta after winning 2 of 3 games in Saskatchewan over the weekend. The Kings beat the Broncos in Swift, 4-1 on Sunday night powered by a Stephane Legault hat-trick. Edmonton responded well after being soundly beaten in Saskatoon the night before. It was a physical effort featuring a couple scraps, as 16 year old Mason Geertsen dropped the mitts with 19 year old Andy Blanke and Latvian Kristians Pelss squared off with Winnipeg Jets 3rd rounder Adam Lowery. Legault registered his first hat-trick in his Western League career, although as of now the third goal has been credited to TJ Foster. Mitch Moroz also tallied first first in the league.
Lethbridge closed out a three game road trip with a loss to the same Broncos on Saturday night. The 'Canes went winless on the trip and have loss four straight heading into action tonight. Rich Preston, the head coach and GM, still appears to have some decisions to make on the roster as the Hurricanes show 29 players on their roster including three goaltenders.
 |
| Photo: Andy Devlin Edmonton Oil Kings |
Edmonton: Stephane Legault. The 18 year old Edmonton product may be the Oil Kings most consistent forward so far. He is off to a great start offensively with 4 goals and 5 points. He is the co-leader as well at plus 5 (tied with Martin Gernat).
 |
| Photo: Lethbridge Hurricanes |
Lethbridge: Cam Braes. The Hurricanes will rely heavily on their 20 year captain this season. Braes, from Shawnigan Lake BC, will be looked to lead offensively and in the room with a young team and some veterens out with injuries this year. So far Braes has answered the call with 6 points in their 7 games.
Last Year:
The Kings were 4-1-0-1 against Lethbridge last year. The Hurricanes hung in the playoff race for most of the season before tailing off late. The team is in the early stages of a rebuild, acquiring some nice young talent that is still on the horizon. They only managed 23 wins on the season but were able to pick up 13 bonus points in OT and shootouts to finish 9th in the East.
Leaders:
Goals- EDM- Martin Gernat (5)
LET- Brody Sutter (4)
Points- EDM- Gernat (12)
LET- Sutter, Braes (6)
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)
LET- Brody Sutter- Carolina Hurricanes (7th, 2011)
Notes: Defenceman Griffen Reinhart will not be in the Oil Kings lineup tonight as he serves game 4 of a 5 games suspension for a knee on knee collision against Kootenay last week The Enmax Centre in Lethbridge in going through a renovation adding a new scoreclock with a video board, a new dressing room for the Hurricanes, luxury boxes, new press box, upgraded concessions and washrooms. The project is expect to be completed next spring. Brody Sutter is the son of Oilers scout Duane Sutter. Among the Canes injured is 20 year old Austin Fyten who is out long term with a lower body injury. Fyten registered 54 point in 52 games last season. Edmonton finishes their week long road trip tomorrow night with a visit to Cranbrook to face the Kootenay Ice.
0 comments: