GDB #29 @ Lethbridge

Oil Kings(28 18-5-2-3) @ Hurricanes(32 14-14-1-3)

The Oil Kings and Hurricanes play the back half of a home and home tonight at the Enmax Centre in Lethbridge.  The Oil Kings held on to win a wild affair 4-3 at Rexall Place on Sunday night.  The Kings were up 3-0 early in the second period, but allowed the 'Canes to storm back and tie it before Curtis Lazar scored his second of the game on the power play late in the 2nd.  Lazar had not scored in the previous 14 games.  Tristan Jarry made 19 saves for his 7th win of the season.

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series- The Oil Kings have defeated the Hurricanes in both matchups so far this season.  Jarry has been the goalie of record both times.  He and the Oil Kings shut out the Hurricanes in Lethbridge 3-0 early in the year before winning on Sunday.  The game in Lethbridge featured a stellar performance from Hurricane netminder and Edmonton native, Ty Rimmer.  The 20 year old goalie made 57 saves in the losing effort.
 

The Opposition: Hurricanes have been up and down this season so far.  Between October 17 and November 9 they lost only once is regulation over a 12 game stretch.  But they have only one victory in their last nine heading into tonight.  They are a young team coming off a 29 win season last year.  They sit 5th in the Eastern Conference, playing a league high 32 games to this point.





Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (14)

LET- Russell Maxwell (15)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (37)

LET- Maxwell (30)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (11)

LET- Ty Rimmer (13)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (72)
LET- Jamian Yakubowski (87)

Next Up:  The Kings return to Edmonton and open a home and home set with the Calgary Hitmen.  They host Calgary on Friday night in their Teddy Bear Toss game before squaring off at the Saddledome on Saturday.  The 'Canes open a six game homestand tonight.  They host the Tigers on Friday.



Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted: EDM- David Musil- Edmonton Oilers (2nd, 2011), 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), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

LET- None

Draft Watch (CSS Preliminary 2013 North American Rankings in Western Hockey League)
EDM- #8 Curtis Lazar, #2 (goalies)Tristan Jarry
LET- none

Injury Report:

EDM:
#4 Keegan Lowe, lower body, day to day
#21Travis Ewanyk, lower body, day to day

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, 1 month plus

LET:
#8 Tyler Wong, upper body, 1 week
#16 Reid Duke, upper body, 1 week

Roster Notes: Mike Sofillas and Graham Hood have both returned from injury for the Hurricanes.  Martin Gernat has begun skating in Edmonton as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Notes: Michael St. Croix is tied in 10th in scoring (37).  Tristan Jarry leads the league in GAA (1.50), Laurent Brossoit is 9th (2.56).  Hurricane Jamian Yakubowski leads the WHL in PIMs (87).  Axel Blomqvist is 7th in rookie scoring (18).  Daniel Johnston is tied in 7th in scoring amongst defencemen (22).  The The Oil Kings lead the league in both power play and penalty kill percentage.  The Hurricane's PP is ranked 16th, their PK is 14th. Tonight is one of five games on the schedule and is the third of six meetings between the teams. Pregame at 6:55, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.



 

GDB #19 @ Kelowna

Oil Kings(18 11-4-1-2) @ Rockets (18 10-6-1-1)

The Oil Kings look to extend their winning streak to three tonight when they face the Rockets in Kelowna.  Edmonton is coming off a 2-1 win in Kamloops last night.  The Oil Kings got off to a quick start when Mitch Moroz scored his 4th of the season 21 seconds into the game.  Henrik Samuelsson added his 10th on the power play midway through the first.  Laurent Brossoit was fantastic making 31 saves to earn his eighth win of the year.  The Rockets have won three in a row, including back to back shut outs.  Kelowna blanked Kamloops 3-0 on Thursday and shut down the Cougars 5-0 on Saturday.  Both goalies, Jordan Cooke and Jackson Whistle, posted shut outs.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series- The Oil Kings won the previous matchup between the clubs 5-3 at Rexall Place. Henrik Samuelsson led the way with a pair of goals.  Rockets netminder Jordan Cooke made 38 stops in the loss.  This is the final meeting between the clubs this year.

The Opposition: The Rockets are hot as of late, winning three straight since the loss in Edmonton.  They have a shutout streak of 175:21 heading into action tonight.  Kelowna's penalty kill has been very effective as of late, they have killed off 14 straight.




Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (11)

KEL- Zach Franko, Colton Sissons, Myles Bell (9)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (25)

KEL- Bell (24)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (8)

KEL- Jordan Cooke (7)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (53)
KEL- Ryan Olsen (27) 

Next Up: The Oil Kings have an off day tomorrow to travel up to Prince George where they will finish their trip with a pair of games against the Cougars.  Following that, Edmonton returns home and won't play until Saturday night.  The Rockets wrap up a four game homestand on Friday when they face the Rebels.  They then head south to face Tri City.


Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kingsk

Drafted:
EDM- David Musil- Edmonton Oilers (2nd, 2011), 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), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

Kel- Dylan McKinley- Minnesota Wild (7th, 2010, Free Agent), Colton Sissons- Nashville Predators (2nd, 2012), Damon Severson- New Jersey Devils (2nd, 2012), Ryan Olsen- Winnipeg Jets (6th, 2012)

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM)
B Skaters- Madison Bowey (Kel)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Mitchell Wheaton (Kel)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:
#7 Stephane Legault, lower body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

Kel: #5 Mitch Chapman, lower body, one month
#11 Carter Rigby, upper body, 1-2 weeks
#17 J.T. Barnett, lower body, 1 week
#22 Mackenzie Johnston, lower body, 1 month
#30 Jordan Cooke, upper body, 1 week
Roster Notes: Rocket's netminder Jordan Cooke took shots from locked out NHL'ers this morning and is a gametime decision. 

Notes:  Michael St. Croix is tied in 7th in scoring (25). Rockets defenceman Myles Bell is tied in 9th in scoring (24) he leads defencemen in scoring.  Laurent Brossoit is 8th in GAA (2.62). The The Oil Kings power play ranks 3rd, and their PK is ranked 1st. The Rocket's PP is ranked 19th, their PK is 3rd. Tonight is one of  six games on the schedule and is the final of two games between the teams. Pregame at 7:45, puck drop at 8:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB #17 @ Swift Current

Oil Kings(16 9-4-1-2) vs Broncos(19 7-7-3-2)

The Oil Kings will look to regroup as they continue their six game trip tonight in Swift Current.  The Kings fell 3-2 to the Raiders last night after leading the game 2-0 in the first period.  Henrik Samuelsson and Dylan Wruck paced the Kings early, but the Raiders chipped away and gained momentum in front of a sold out barn at the Art Hauser Centre.  PA scored twice in the thrid and goaltender Luke Siemens was sensational to seal the victory.  Meanwhile the Broncos hosted the Seattle Thunderbirds last night coming from behind to win the game 4-3.  Adam Lowery lead the way with a goal and two helpers, and former T-Bird Chance Lund scored the winner shorthanded in the third.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Year-  Edmonton swept the four game series last season between the two clubs.  The Broncos were in the playoff mix for most of the season before finishing 10th in the WHL's Eastern Conference.  Swift won 27 games last year, when one of their best players, Adam Lowery, only played 36 games due to injury.

The Opposition: The Broncos are sitting at .500 through their first 19 games.  They look to be in a similar situation as last year, and will likely be in the mix for a playoff spot in the East.  They recently acquired Brent Benson from Saskatoon to add to their offensive depth.  GM/Head Coach Mark Lamb has built a nice core of defencemen led by Devils draftee Reece Scarlett and draft eligible Dillon Heatherington.




Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster, Michael St. Croix (10)

SC- Adam Lowey (9)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (23)

SC- Lowey (21)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (6)

SC- Eetu Laurikainen (7)

PIMS- EDM- Travis Ewanyk, Keegan Lowe (43)

SC- Richard Nedomlel (38)

Next Up: The Oil Kings have a couple days off before they continue their trip in Kamloops on Tuesday night.  That game kicks off a stretch of four games in five nights that sees Edmonton face Kelowna and finish with back to back games in Prince George.  The Broncos kick off a home and home with the Raiders in Prince Albert on Wednesday.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted:
EDM- David Musil- Edmonton Oilers (2nd, 2011), 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), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

SC- Adam Lowery- Winnipeg Jets (3rd, 2011), Reece Scarlett- New Jersey Devils (6th, 2011), Richard Nedomlel- Detroit Red Wings (6th, 2011), Graham Black- Devils (5th, 2012), Coda Gordon- Flames (6th, 2012)

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminery Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM)
B Skaters- Dillon Heatherington (SC)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Colby Cave (SC)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:
#7 Setphane Legault, lower body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

SC: #19 Shea Howorko, upper body, indefinite

Roster notes:

Notes: The Giants dealt Nathan Burns to the Blades in exchange for a '14 1st round pick, a '13 3rd round pick and forward Travis McEvoy.  Michael St. Croix is tied in 8th in scoring (23). Tristan Jarry leads the WHL in GAA 1.51. The The Oil Kings power play ranks 3rd, and their PK is ranked 1st. The Bronco's PP is ranked 6th, their PK is 8th. Tonight is one of ten games on the schedule. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB #16 @ PA

Oil Kings(15 9-3-1-2) vs Raiders(16 10-4-0-2)

The Oil Kings kick off a six game road trip tonight in Prince Albert when they meet the Raiders for the second time this season.  PA took the first game 4-1 at Rexall last month.  The Oil Kings made some big news this week when they acquired David Musil from the Vancouver Giants for Mason Geertsen and a first round pick in the 2013 Bantam Draft. Last game out the Kings downed Musil and the Giants 5-1 on Sunday.  TJ Foster, Travis Ewanyk, Mitch Moroz, Edgars Kulda and Michael St. Croix tallied for the Kings, who have won four straight.  Tristan Jarry made 29 saves to earn his third win of the season.  The Raiders have won back to back games and lead the Eastern Conference with 22 points coming into action tonight.  They are coming off a 2-1 shootout win over Swift Current on Tuesday.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series-  The Raiders recorded their first ever regulation win at Rexall Place last time these teams played.  The Oil Kings won all four matchups last season.  The teams play twice more this season once in Prince Albert and once in Edmonton.  

The Opposition: The Raiders are ranked 10th in the CHL's Top Ten.  Earlier this season they added veteran defensman Davis Vandane from the Spokane Chiefs to replace Antoine Corbin who is playing in the American Hockey League with the Hamilton Bulldogs.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings



Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster, Michael St. Croix (10)

PA- Dakota Conroy (8)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (22)

PA- Mark McNeill (16)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (6)

PA- Luke Siemens (9)

PIMS- EDM- Travis Ewanyk (43)

PA- Harrison Ruopp (24)

Next Up: The Oil Kings continue their road trip tomorrow night when they face the Swift Current Broncos for the first time this season.  After Swift, the Kings head west to face the Blazers in Kamloops.  The Raiders are wrapping up a seven game home stand here tonight.  They visit Regina tomorrow before returning to the Art Hauser Centre for a pair of games.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted:
EDM- David Musil- Edmonton Oilers (2nd, 2011), 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), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

PA- Mark McNeill- Chicago Blackhawks (1st, 2011), Harrison Ruopp- Coyotes (3rd, 2011) Mike Winther- Dallas Stars (2nd, 2012).

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminery Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM), Josh Morrissey (PA)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Chance Braid (PA)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:
#7 Setphane Legault, lower body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

PA: #19 Reid Gardiner, upper body, week to week

Roster notes: David Musil will make his Oil King debut here tonight.  Raider defenceman Shayne Gwinner has returned home to Drumheller awaiting a trade.  Gwinner was acquired from Moose Jaw this off season and has played in nine games this season.

Notes: The Kootenay Ice acquired Zach McPhee from Everett in exchange for a 7th round pick in 2014.  Yesterday the Ice sent Kyle Kraben and Doug Morris to Vancouver for Austin Vetterl.  Michael St. Croix is tied in 9th in scoring (22).  Raiders goalie Luke Siemens is 3rd in GAA (2.24).  Josh Morrissey is tied for 7th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Leon Draisaitl is tied for 3rd in rookie scoring (12).  The The Oil Kings power play ranks 3rd, and  their PK is ranked 2nd. The Warrior's PP is ranked 9th, their PK is 14th. Tonight is one of  ten games on the schedule. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

 

GDB #11 vs Moose Jaw

Oil Kings (11 5-3-1-2) vs Warriors (10 5-4-0-1)

Tonight it's a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference Final as the Oil Kings host the Moose Jaw Warriors.  The Kings have been treading water as of late, losing three straight, but picking up points in four of their last five outings.  On Wednesday night, the Kings fell 5-4 in a shootout to the Kamloops Blazers in a very entertaining game at Rexall Place.  Edmonton fought back and took their first lead of the hockey game with 1:59 to go in regulation on a Henrik Samuelsson power play goal, only to see the WHL's leading scorer, JC Lipon score a shorthanded goal 25 seconds later to tie it.  Colin Smith and Brendan Ranford, both Edmonton products, sealed it in the shootout.  The Warriors are coming off a 5-2 home win over the Everett Silvertips on Tuesday night.  They fell behind 2-0 early in the second, then scored five straight goals to win going away.  Torrin White led the way with a pair of goals and four points.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Year:  The Oil Kings were 3-0-0-1 against the Warriors last season.  Moose Jaw won the East Division with 98 points and finished second behind Edmonton in the Eastern Conference.  The Warriors got by Regina and Medicine Hat in the playoffs before bowing out in five games to the Kings.  They did end Edmonton's 22 game win streak in game four of the conference final.

The Opposition: The Warriors are off to a decent start.  The team graduated a lot of offense in the off season.  No longer in Moose Jaw are Quinton Howden, Cody Beach, Kenton Miller, and Cam Braes up front, and Dylan McIlrath and Dallas Ehrhardt on the back end.  Sam Fioretti is off to a great start to the year with 10 goals in 10 games, and 16 year old Brayden Point will be a leader offensively.  They do return a solid defence core which includes Morgan Rielly, Joel Edmundson, Kendall McFaull, and Travis Brown.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster (9)

MJ- Sam Fioretti (10)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (14)

MJ- Fioretti (18)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (4)

MJ- Justin Paulic (3)

PIMS- EDM- Travis Ewanyk (36)
MJ- Joel Edmundson (25)

Next Up: The Oil Kings continue their five game home stand tomorrow night when the Medicine Hat Tigers make their first visit.  The Tigers include former Oil King Cam Lanigan in goal, having just acquired him from Portland.  The Warriors open a two game road trip tonight.  They open a home and home with the Hurricanes in Lethbridge tomorrow.


Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted:

EDM- Keegan Lowe- Carolina Hurricanes (3rd, 2011), Travis Ewanyk- Edmonton Oilers (3rd, 2011), Michael St. Croix- New York Rangers (4th, 2011), Martin Gernat- Oilers (5th, 2011), Laurent Brossoit- Calgary Flames (6th, 2011), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

MJ- Kendall McFaull- Winnipeg Jets (6th, 2010,unsigned), Joel Edmundson- St. Louis Blues (2nd, 2011), Morgan Rielly- Toronto Maple Leafs (1st, 2012), Travis Brown- Chicago Blackhawks (5th, 2012)
 

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM),
B Skaters- Mason Geertsen (EDM)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Carter Hanson (MJ)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM: #7 Stephane Legault, lower body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

MJ #21 Miles Warkentine, upper body 1 week
Roster Notes:  Ashton Sautner did not practice yesterday after leaving Wednesday's game against Kamloops.  Moose Jaw's Nikita Zagryadskiy has yet to play a regular season game this season.
 

Notes: Red Deer Rebels traded Colten Mayor and Stephan Hak to Regina in exchange for 4th and 6th round picks in the 2015 bantam draft. The Blades swapped Brent Benson to the Broncos for Graeme Craig.  TJ Foster is 5th in goal scoring (9).  Sam Fioretti is tied for 5th in scoring (18) and is tied for second in goal scoring (10).  Brayden Point is tied for 3rd in rookie scoring (9).  Morgan Rielly is 3rd in scoring amongst defencemen (14).  The The Oil Kings power play ranks 3rd, and they have the top ranked penalty kill. The Warrior's PP is ranked 6th, their PK is 12th. Tonight is one of  seven games on the schedule. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB #11 vs Kamloops

Oil Kings (10 5-3-1-1) vs Blazers (10 9-0-0-1)

The Oil Kings face a stiff test tonight at Rexall Place as the WHL leading Kamloops Blazers make their first visit this season.  Edmonton is coming off their first shutout loss since March 12, 2011.  MacKenzie Skapski and the Kootenay Ice snapped their seven game regular season losing streak to the Kings with a 1-0 victory on Sunday night in Cranbrook.  The Oil Kings have dropped back to back games coming into tonight when they play the last remaining team that is yet to lose in regulation.  Last night in Red Deer the Blazers shut out the Rebels 4-0.  Colin Smith led the way with a goal and a pair of helpers, while Tim Bozon scored twice.  Taran Kozun made 32 saves to record his first career WHL shutout.

Photo: Hugo Yuen- Kamloops Dailey News

 

Last Year:  The Blazers took both games the teams played last year.  Both were at the Interior Savings Centre in the 'Loops.  Kamloops won 47 games last season on their way to a BC Division Championship.  After sweeping the Royals in the first round of the playoffs, they lost a hard fought seven game series to Portland, the eventual Western Conference Champions.
 

The Opposition: Like mentioned the Blazers are off to a fantastic start with nine wins in their first ten games.  They feature the top two scores in the WHL with JC Lipon (9-15-24) and Edmonton product Colin Smith (7-14-21).  Those two usually play with Montreal Canadiens pick Tim Bozon on one line while all three of their twenty year olds (Brendan Ranford, Jordan DePape, and Dylan Willick) make up a lethal top six.  The defence core is a well balanced unit that includes former Oil King Marek Hrbas.  In goal they are anchored by 19 year old Cole Cheveldave and his impressive 1.65 GAA.  The Blazers lead the WHL in goals for (45) and  have the fewest goals against (19).


Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster (8)

KAM- JC Lipon (9)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (14)

KAM- Lipon (24)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (4)

KAM- Cole Cheveldave (6)

PIMS- EDM- Mitch Moroz (30)
KAM- Brady Gaudet (19)

Next Up: The Oil Kings are beginning a five game homestand here tonight.  Next up is a rematch of last year's WHL's Eastern Conference Championship when Moose Jaw is in town.  They also host Medicine Hat, Kelowna and Vancouver during this stretch.  The Blazers are in the midst of a five game roadtrip.  They are in Lethbridge on Friday and wrap up the trip Saturday night in Cranbrook.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted:

EDM- Keegan Lowe- Carolina Hurricanes (3rd, 2011), Travis Ewanyk- Edmonton Oilers (3rd, 2011), Michael St. Croix- New York Rangers (4th, 2011), Martin Gernat- Oilers (5th, 2011), Laurent Brossoit- Calgary Flames (6th, 2011), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

KAM- Brendan Ranford- Philadelphia Flyers (7th, 2010, unsigned), Tim Bozon- Montreal Canadiens (3rd, 2012), Colin Smith- Colorado Avalanche (7th, 2012).
 

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM),
B Skaters- Mason Geertsen (EDM)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Matt Needham (KAM)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM: #7 Stephane Legault, lower body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

KAM:  #17 Jordan DePape, upper body, 1 week
#33 Landon Cross, lower body, day to day


Roster Notes:  The Oil Kings went with the same line up the last two games (outside of rotating goalies).  The Blazers acquired defenceman Sam Grist from Tri City last week.
 

Notes: Michael St. Croix is tied for 10th in WHL scoring (14 points). TJ Foster is tied for 4th in goal scoring (8). Blazers forward JC Lipon leads the WHL in scoring (24), assists (15), and is second in goals (9).  Colin Smith is 2nd in scoring (21) and assists (14).  Tim Bozon is tied for 7th in scoring (15), Brendan Ranford is tied in 10th (14).  Cole Cheveldave is 2nd in GAA (1.65) and tied for 2nd in wins (6).  The Oil Kings power play ranks 4th, and  they have the top ranked penalty kill. The Blazer's PP is ranked 5th, their PK is 4th. Tonight is one of four games on the schedule. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB#10 @ Kootenay

Oil Kings (9 5-2-1-1) vs Ice (7 2-5-0-0)

The last two WHL Champions meet for the second time this season tonight in Cranbrook.  The Oil Kings fell 5-4 in a shoot out to the Calgary Hitmen on Friday night, in another wild back and forth game.  Henrik Samuelsson scored twice, Curtis Lazar and TJ Foster scored for the Kings.  Edmonton was 3-3 on the powerplay but were unable to beat Chris Driedger in the third period when they controlled the pace of the game.  The Ice won for the second time this season on Friday night when they knocked off the Blades 4-3.  Brock Montgomery lead the way with a pair of goals.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series:  The Oil Kings beat the Ice 5-3 on opening night in Edmonton, the lone matchup so far.  The clubs play six times this year, the next being a home and home in late November.

The Opposition: The Ice snapped a three game skid with their victory over Saskatoon on Friday.  They currently are last in the WHL's Eastern Conference with four points through seven games, and wrap up a six game homestand here tonight.  The Ice are a young team lead by Sam Reinhart, a top prospect for the 2014 NHL Draft, and by 20 year old veteran captain Drew Czerwonka.  Brock Montgomery currently leads the team with seven goals, no other member of the Ice has more than three.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster (8)

KTN- Brock Montgomery (7)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (14)

KTN- Montgomery, Sam Reinhart (10)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (4)

KTN- MacKenzie Skapski (2)

PIMS- EDM- Travis Ewanyk (27)
KTN- Jeff Hubic (29)

Next Up: The Oil Kings open up a five game homestand on Wednesday when they host the Western Conference leading Kamloops Blazers.  The Kings also see Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Kelowna and Vancouver during the stretch.  The Ice are in the midst of 12 of 13 games in Cranbrook.  They finish a six game homestand tonight, and don't play again until Friday in Red Deer.  They open another six game stand against Kamloops next Saturday.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted:

EDM- Keegan Lowe- Carolina Hurricanes (3rd, 2011), Travis Ewanyk- Edmonton Oilers (3rd, 2011), Michael St. Croix- New York Rangers (4th, 2011), Martin Gernat- Oilers (5th, 2011), Laurent Brossoit- Calgary Flames (6th, 2011), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

KTN- Drew Czerwonka- Oilers (6th, 2010, unsigned), Joey Leach- Flames (3rd 2010, unsigned).
 

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM),
B Skaters- Mason Geertsen (EDM)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Jon Martin (KTN), Spencer Wand (KTN)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM: #7 Stephane Legault, lower body, week to week
#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

KTN:  NoneRoster Notes:  Drew Czerwonka and Luke Philp have recently made their returns to the Kootenay lineup after injuries.
 

Notes: Michael St. Croix is tied for 7th in WHL scoring (14 points).  TJ Foster is 3rd in goal scoring (8).  The Oil Kings are 2nd in both power play and penalty kill percentage.  The Ice's PP is ranked 8th, their OK is 6th.  Tonight is one of four games on the schedule. Pregame at 5:45, puck drop at 6:00 on the Team 1260.