Review: The Kings picked up five of six points this past week after they returned home from their World Junior World Trip. They managed to come from behind to double up the Hurricanes 6-3, still playing with a shortened lineup with six players wrapping up their international commitments. The full lineup contributed to a victory over the Broncos on Saturday, and the week wrapped up with a hard fought shoot out loss to the Rebels on Sunday night.
Last Week: Wednesday Jan. 4- Win- 6-3 vs Lethbridge
Saturday Jan. 7- Win 5-3 vs Swift Current
Sunday Jan. 8- Loss 4-3 vs Red Deer (Shoot out)
Upcoming: The Kings hit the road on Thursday to face the Tigers in Medicine Hat. The game should mark the debut of the newest Oil King, Henrik Samuelsson, brought in from Modo of the Swedish Elite League. Samuelsson is not an import in the WHL as he was born in Arizona and has represented the US at international tournaments. Edmonton is yet to record a win in the Hat going 0-14 in their modern franchise history. They return home to face the Kootenay Ice on Saturday night, and wrap the week up with their first visit to Calgary on Sunday afternoon.
Leaders: Goals: Michael St. Croix (25)
Assists: St. Croix (42)
Points: St. Croix (67)
PIMS: Keegan Lowe (95)
Plus/Minus: Dylan Wruck (+24)
Wins: Laurent Brossoit (23)
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 3 games (1-3-5), Kristians Pelss 3 games (2-3-5), Tristan Sieban 2 games (0-2-2)
Notes: The Oil Kings made one move at the WHL trade deadline dealing 20 year Cameron Reid to Portland for a second round Bantam Draft Pick in 2013. Reid had been on Edmonton's list since their expansion year. He had been playing for St. Cloud in the NCAA, but will report to Portland. The Kings head into the week leading the Eastern Conference with 59 points through 42 games. Michael St. Croix entered the week fourth in WHL scoring with 67 points in 42 games. Their power play is 3rd in the WHL, their penalty kill is 2nd. The Oil Kings moved up to 7th in the CHL Top Ten Rankings. The Kings have been nationally ranked for 3 consecutive 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-
Thursday- @ Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat Arena, 7pm
Friday-
Saturday- vs Kootenay Ice, Rexall Place, 7pm
Sunday- @ Calgary Hitmen, Scotiabank Saddledome, 2pm
Monday-
