GDB #38 @ Brandon

Oil Kings (37 24-9-1-3) vs Wheat Kings (37 21-14-1-1)

The Oil King`s continue their four game swing through the East division tonight in Brandon.  Edmonton fell 4-3 in a shootout on Wednesday night in Moose Jaw, in a fantastic back and forth hockey game.  Michael St. Croix and Rhett Rachinski had a goal and an assist each, Laurent Brossoit made 32 stops.  Tyler Maxwell scored to tie the game with 2:20 left in regulation.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

The Wheat Kings wrap up a four game homestand in which they have gone 2-1.  On Wednesday they edged the Regina Pats 3-2 in overtime on Ryley Miller`s third goal of the year.  Next up the Wheaties head to Saskatoon for a New Year`s Day game, while the Oil Kings face the Pats that afternoon.  Look for the Wheat Kings to wear their vintage uniforms tonight as well.

A couple more trades in the WHL to mention as we approach the January 10 deadline.  The Red Deer Rebels acquired 19 year old forward Charles Inglis from the Prince George Cougars in exchange for 18 year old forward Dalton Siwak and a 3rd round pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft.  The Rebels also dealt 18 year old forward Locke Muller and 18 year old defenceman Matthew Pufahl to the Blades for 17 year old defenceman Devin Fafard and a 7th round pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Players to watch: 

Edmonton: Rhett Rachinski.  The 20 year old South Side Athletic Club product is having a great season as an overager.  Rachinski has seen his role increase this year, playing on the top power play unit, killing penalties and taking all the team's key draws.  He has a career high 12 goals on the season, and has equalled his career high 26 points he posted last year.  He is riding a three game point streak (2-3-5) and centres the Kings effective energy line featuring fellow 20 year old Jordan Peddle and Klarc Wilson.

Photo: WheatKings.com

Brandon:  Jason Swryipa.  With Mark Stone away at the World Junior Championships Swryipa has stepped onto the top line for the Wheaties along with Michael Ferland and Brendan Walker.  The 18 year old Cochrane native is also being used in a PK role for the first time in his career.  Tonight he will play his 110th straight game for the Wheat Kings.

Season Series: The teams have split the previous two meetings this year.  Brandon won at home 3-2 on October 29.  The Oil Kings replied with a 7-3 win in Edmonton.  The Wheaties are back in Edmonton on January 27th.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (20), Tyler Maxwell (20)

BDN- Mark Stone (27)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (57)

BDN- Stone (65)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (17)
BDN- Corbin Boes (11)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (88)
BDN- Ryley Miller (67)

Drafted:

Mark Pysyk, TSN.ca

Mark Stone, TSN.ca

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)

BDN- Michael Ferland- Flames (5th round, 2010), Mark Stone- Ottawa Senators (6th, 2010), Darian Dziurzynski- Phoenix Coyotes (5th, 2011) Jordan Fransoo- Senators (7th, 2011), Brandon Anderson signed free agent- Washington Capitals.

Injury Report:

EDM:  #15, David Stephens, Upper body, week to week
#21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, 1 month +


BRN: #1, Corbin Boes, Upper body, 1 month+

Players away at International Tournaments:

EDM: Mark Pysyk (Canada WJHC), Martin Gernat (Slovakia WJHC), Kristians Pelss (Latvia WJHC), Curtis Lazar, Mason Geertsen, Tristan Jarry ( Team Pacific, U17)

MJ: Mark Stone (Canada WJHC), Alessio Bertaggia (Switzerland WJHC), Ayrton Nikkel (Team Pacific U17)

Notes:  Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is tied for 5th in league scoring (57), Dylan Wruck is tied for 11th (47).  Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied for 10th in rookie scoring (25), Curtis Lazar is 16th (19 points). Gernat is also tied for 13th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 5th in GAA (2.45), and tied for 2nd in wins (21).  For Brandon, Mark Stone leads the WHL in scoring (65), Michael Ferland is 11th (49).  Alessio Bertaggia is 3rd in rookie scoring (34).  Ryan Pulock (36) and Eric Roy (33) are 1-2 in scoring amongst defencemen.  This is the third of four meetings between the two clubs this year.  Pregame show at 6:15, the puck drops at 6:30 MT on the Team 1260.