Review: The Oil Kings kicked off the second half of the season on a four game road trip due to the World Junior Championships in Edmonton. Things opened well for the Kings with a 7-2 win in Saskatoon over the Blades. The next night they played a fantastic game, losing 4-3 in a shootout in Moose Jaw. They rounded out the trip with a dominate performance beating the Wheat Kings 7-1 before falling 5-2 in Regina. The Oil Kings end their season series with the Pats without a victory, going 0-4.
Last Week: Tuesday Dec. 27- Win 7-2 @ Saskatoon
Wednesday Dec. 28- Loss 4-3 SO @ Moose Jaw
Friday Dec. 30- Win 7-1 @ Brandon
Sunday Jan. 1- Loss 5-2 @ Regina
Upcoming: The Oil Kings return to Rexall Place for the first time in 2012 on Wednesday night when they welcome the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The three game home stand also features former Oil King netminder Jon Groenheyde and the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday, and the second meeting of the year with the Red Deer Rebels on Sunday afternoon.
Leaders: Goals: Michael St. Croix (24)
Assists: St. Croix (38)
Points: St. Croix (62)
PIMS: Keegan Lowe (88)
Plus/Minus: Martin Gernat (+23)
Wins: Laurent Brossoit (22)
Firsts: Game- Martin Gernat, Ashton Sautner, Cole Benson @ Red Deer, Sept 25. Tristan Jarry @ Saskatoon, Oct 8. Cody Corbett @ Brandon Oct 29, Brandon Baddock @ Lethbridge Nov. 19.
Goal- Gernat @ Red Deer, Sept 25,Curtis Lazar vs Medicine Hat Sept 30 (first regular season goal, scored in playoffs Mar 31, 2011), Mitch Moroz @ Swift Current Oct. 9, Ashton Sautner vs Portland Oct 21, Cody Corbett @ Victoria Nov. 8, Cole Benson vs Prince Albert Nov. 18.
Point- Gernat, Sautner @ Red Deer Sept 25, Tristan Sieben @ Medicine Hat Oct 1, Laurent Brossoit vs Regina Oct. 14, Corbett @ Victoria Nov 8, Benson, Mason Geertsen vs Prince Albert Nov 18.
Win- Tristan Jarry Oct 26 vs Everett.
Streaks: Dylan Wruck 8 games (4-12-16), Michael St. Croix 7 games (9-10-19), Tyler Maxwell 5 games (5-4-9), Rhett Rachinski 3 games (2-1-3), Mark Pysyk 3 games (1-4-5)
Notes: The Oil Kings were down six regular players (Pysyk, Pelss, Gernat, Lazar, Geertsen, and Jarry) during their road trip. They are expected to back in time to face the Broncos on Saturday night. Ryan Aasman, Braeden Johnson, and Brendan Jensen joined the team on the road as APs. Heading into the week the Kings led the WHL's Eastern Conference with 54 points. Michael St. Croix entered the week third in WHL scoring with 62 points in 39 games. The Oil Kings power play is tied for 2nd, their penalty kill in 2nd. The Oil Kings have been ranked 8th in the CHL Top Ten Rankings for back to back weeks.
Drafted: 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)
Schedule:
Tuesday-
Wednesday- vs Lethbridge Hurricanes, Rexall Place, 7pm
Thursday-
Friday-
Saturday- vs Swift Current Broncos, Rexall Place, 7pm
Sunday- vs Red Deer Rebels, Rexall Place, 2pm
Monday-
