GDB #37 @ Moose Jaw

Oil Kings (36 24-9-1-2) @ Warriors (35 22-9-3-1)

The top two teams in the WHL's Eastern Conference meet for the third time this season tonight at Mosiac Place in Moose Jaw.  The Oil Kings are coming off a 7-2 win in Saskatoon last night.  Michael St. Croix, Tyler Maxwell and Klarc Wilson all posted three points (1-2-3) in the victory. It was a bit of a sloppy game early, with both teams playing their first game back since the Christmas break.  Goaltending was a huge factor as once again Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit was outstanding stopping 43 of 45 shots.  Brossoit also set the franchise record for wins in a season with 21.  He passes Torrie Jung who won 20 in '08-'09.  The game marked the official halfway point in the season for Edmonton.  The Oil Kings have won 12 of their last 13 games.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

The Warriors will play their first game after the Christmas break tonight.  They were hot heading into the week off winning three in a row and four of their last five.  Moose Jaw has a six point lead over Brandon atop the East Division.  They will be without leading scorer Quinton Howden who will suit up alongside Oil King captain Mark Pysyk for Team Canada tonight against the Czech Republic in the World Junior Hockey Championship.  Due to that game on the Team 1260, tonight's Oil King/Warrior matchup can only be heard online at www.theteam1260.com.

There was a trade today as well in the WHL.  Prince Albert sent 18 year old goalie Eric Williams and 18 year old forward Todd Fiddler to Spokane in exchange for 19 year old centre Anthony Bardaro, 18 year old goalie Luke Lee-Kinght and a 5th round pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft.  The WHL trade deadline is January 10.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Players to watch: 

Edmonton: Mitch Moroz.  Moroz is on a roll for the Oil Kings as of late.  He has goals in three straight games, including scoring the team's teddy bear goal against Calgary before the break.  Moroz has moved up to play on the club's second line with TJ Foster and Stephane Legault.  The 17 year old, Calgary product has shown he can play anywhere in the lineup, and contribute in different ways.  He has seven goals and ten points along with 66 PIMS on the season.

Photo: WHL.ca

Moose Jaw:  Justin Kirsch.  The 19 year old was picked up from Calgary this year and has become a key offensive component.  Kirsch has picked up 14 points in 12 games as a Warrior, including six goals in his last ten games.  He was acquired along with 20 year old Kenton Miller from the Hitmen in exchange for Collin Bowman, Joey Kornelson and a 4th round pick in the 2012 Bantam Draft.

Season Series: The Oil Kings have won both meetings between the clubs this season.  They came from behind to win 3-1 at Mosiac Place on October 7th, and won a tight 2-1 affair at Rexall Place on October 19th.  Griffin Reinhart scored both goals in Edmonton.  Quinton Howden did not play in either game for the Warriors.  The teams round out their four game season series March 7th in Edmonton.


Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (19), Tyler Maxwell (19)

MJ- Quinton Howden (14)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (55)

MJ- Howden, Sam Fioretti (29)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (21)
MJ- Luke Siemens (18)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (88)
MJ- Cody Beach (99)

Drafted:

Mark Pysyk.  Photo: TSN.ca

Quinton Howdon.  Photo: 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)

MJ- Dylan McIlrath- Rangers (1st, 2010), Quinton Howden- Florida Panthers(1st, 2010), Cody Beach- St. Louis Blues (5th, 2010), Kendall McFaull-Winnipeg Jets (6th, 2010), Joel Edmundson- Blues (2nd, 2011)

Injury Report:

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


MJ: #4, Morgan Rielly, Lower body, 1 month +

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

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: Quinton Howden (Canada WJHC), Torrin White (Team Pacific U17), Carter Hansen (Team West U17)

Notes:  Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is tied for 5th in league scoring (55), Dylan Wruck is tied for 11th (46).  Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied for 10th in rookie scoring in the WHL (25), Curtis Lazar is 15th (19). Gernat is 13th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 4th in GAA (2.44), and is 2nd in wins (20).  The Oil Kings have the second rated PK in the league, their PP is 3rd.  For Moose Jaw, Tyler Vanscourt is tied for 17th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Luke Siemens is 6th in GAA (2.47).  This is the third of four meetings between the two clubs this year.  Pregame show at 5:45, the puck drops at 6:00 MT on the Team 1260.com.