GDB #49 vs Tri-City

Oil Kings (48 32-11-1-4) vs Americans (46 34-11-0-1)

The Oil Kings, the sixth ranked team in the CHL,  return home tonight to face the third ranked team, the Tri-City Americans.  It will be the only regular season meeting between the clubs this season.  Edmonton is riding a three game win streak coming into tonight after defeating the Prince Albert Raiders Saturday night.  The Kings dominated the Raiders winning 9-2, Michael St. Croix once again led the way with three goals and a pair of assists.  He has been named the WHL, and CHL player of the week and has moved into third in league scoring. 

The Americans come in after losing their last two and have only won once in their last five games.  Last time out they lost 4-3 in a shoot out to the Kamloops Blazers in a battle for top spot in the WHL's Western Conference.  Tonight's matchup will feature the league's highest scoring team (Oil Kings, 208 goals for) against the stingiest (Americans, 112 goals against).  Five of the league's top ten scorers will lace them up tonight as well, as Michael St. Croix (3rd, 77pts) and Dylan Wruck (10th, 62pts) face the Americans attack which features Adam Hughesman (6th, 72 pts), Brendan Shinniman (7th, 71 pts) and Patrick Holland (9th, 65 pts).

Photo: Oilkings.ca

Season Series: This is the lone match up between the two teams this season.  Last year the Americans took theonly game in a tight affair in Kennewick, Washington.  They scored a power play goal in overtime to secure a 4-3 win in a very entertaining tilt.

Next Up: The Oil Kings continue their five game homestand on Friday against the Brandon Wheat Kings in what could be a first round playoff preview.  The Giants make their lone appearance at Rexall on Saturday night.  The Americans continue their three game Alberta road trip Friday in Red Deer before facing Calgary on Saturday night.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (31)
TC-Adam Hughesman (29)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (77)
TC- Hughesman (72)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (27)
TC- Ty Rimmer (19)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (97)
TC- Jesse Mychan (115)

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)

TC- Patrick Holland- Flames (7th, 2010.  Rights traded to Montreal), Zachary Yuen- Winnipeg Jets (3rd, 2011).

Injury Report:

EDM: #21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, week to week
#22, Ryan Dech, Lower body, 1 month+
#24, Mason Geertsen, Upper body, 2 weeks
#26, Kristians Pelss, Upper body, day to day

TC:#3, Sam Grist, Lower body, day to day
#21, Marcus Messier, Upper body, 1 week

Notes: Griffin Reinhart is expected to make his return to the Edmonton lineup tonight.  Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is 3rd in league scoring (77), Dylan Wruck is 10th (62). Defenceman Martin Gernat is 9th in rookie scoring (32) and he is tied for 13th in scoring amongst defencemen. Curtis Lazar is 19th in rookie scoring (23).  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 4th in GAA (2.40), and is tied for 2nd in wins (27). The Oil Kings have the second rated PK in the league, their PP is also ranked 2nd. For Tri-City, Adam Hughesman is tied for 5thth in scoring (72), Brendan Shinniman is 7th in scoring (71), and Patrick Holland is 9th in scoring (65). Ty Rimmer leads all WHL goaltenders with a 2.13 GAA, Eric Comrie is 8th (2.60).  Rimmer also leads the league with 5 shutouts.  Tri-City has the top ranked penalty kill in the league, their power play is 6th.  This is the only meeting between the two clubs this year. Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 MT on the Team 1260.