GDB #64 @ Kootenay

Oil Kings (63 41-15-3-4) vs Ice (63 34-21-4-4)

The Oil Kings hit the road for a single game in Cranbrook when they face the defending WHL Champion Kootenay Ice tonight.  The Kings have won back to back games after knocking off the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon.  They roared out to a 3-0 lead in the first ten and a half minutes, with a pair of  Mitch Moroz goals and a Tyler Maxwell powerplay marker.  It seemed the Kings then backed off a bit, and the Hurricanes found their legs to keep it tight the rest of the way until Stephane Legault sealed it with an empty netter.


The Ice are back home after a four game road trip out east.  They picked up bookend wins in Brandon and Prince Albert.  They fell behind the Raiders 3-1 in the the first, but Max Reinhart led the rally recording a pair of goals and two assists.  Reinhart tied the game on a penalty shot in the third period and set up his brother Sam for the winner 19 seconds into overtime.

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series:  Edmonton has had success against the Ice this year, winning all four previous matchups.  They knocked off the Ice 2-1 in a shootout in their first game and followed that up with 6-1, 3-2 (overtime) and 3-1 victories.  The teams play one final time in the regular season on March 14 in Cranbrook.

Up Next: The Oil Kings return home for three games, beginning on Saturday when they host the Swift Current Broncos.  Saskatoon visits Sunday, the Moose Jaw Warriors are in town on Wednesday for a showdown for top spot in the Eastern Conference.  The Ice open a two game home stand tonight.  They face Calgary on Saturday.

Stretch Drive:  The Kings have eight games left after tonight.  Four at home (Swift Current, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Red Deer), and four on the road (Red Deer, Kootenay, Medicine Hat, Red Deer).  The Kings have clinched a playoff spot and lead the Eastern Conference by four points over Moose Jaw.  They lead the Central Division by eight points over Medicine Hat.  

The Ice have eight games left after tonight.  Four at home (Calgary, Medicine Hat, Edmonton, Calgary), and four on the road (Swift Current, Medicine Hat, Spokane, Calgary).  The Ice are fifth in the Eastern Conference with 76 points.  They trail Calgary by one point for 4th, and lead Saskatoon by two for 5th.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (39)
KTN- Max Reinhart, Sam Reinhart (26)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (95)
KTN- Max Reinhart (70)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (35)
KTN- Nathan Lieuwen (25)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (129)
KTN- Jesse Ismond (93)

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

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)

KTY-  Max Reinhart- Flames (3rd, 2010), Joey Leach- Flames (3rd, 2010), Drew Czerwonka- Oilers (6th, 2010), Nathan Lieuwen- Sabres (6th, 2011).

Injury Report:

EDM: #22, Ryan Dech, Lower body,  day to day

KTY:  #6, Luke Paulsen, Upper body, day to day
#19, Drew Czerwonka, Lower body, 3-5 weeks

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Notes: Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is 8th in league scoring (95), Dylan Wruck is tied in 14th (75). Defenceman Martin Gernat is 8th in rookie scoring (47) and he is 8th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 3rd in GAA (2.51), and is tied for 2nd in wins (35).  For Kootenay, Sam Reinhart is 3rd in rookie scoring (57).  Joey Leach is tied for 18th in scoring amongst defencemen (38).  Nathan Lieuwen leads the WHL in GAA (2.39), he is third in save percentage (.918).  This is the fifth of six meetings between the two clubs this year. Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

Weekly Review #20

Review: The Oil Kings picked up four of six points last week.  They opened with a disapponting loss to the Kelowna Rockets, 6-4 at Rexall Place.  For the third straight game the Kings pulled their goalie in the loss.  They rallied back for a win, 4-1 over Calgary in a very tight game.  They scored a pair of empty netters in the victory.  The week wrapped up with an uneven 4-1 win over Lethbridge on Sunday afternoon.  The biggest news over the week was the return of Travis Ewanyk to the lineup.  Ewanyk had missed the entire season after undergoing off season shoulder surgery. 

Wednesday Feb. 22- Loss 6-4 vs Kelowna

Friday Feb. 24- Win 4-1 @ Calgary

Sunday Feb. 26- Win 4-1 vs Lethbridge

Upcoming: The Kings play three games this week, kicking off Wednesday night in Cranbrook when they face the Kootenay Ice.  Swift Current visits Edmonton on Saturday night, and Saskatoon is in town on Sunday evening.

Leaders: Goals: Michael St. Croix (39)

Assists: St. Croix (56)

Points: St. Croix (95)

PIMS: Keegan Lowe (129)

Plus/Minus: St. Croix (+36)

Wins: Laurent Brossoit (35)

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, Henrik Samuelsson @ Medicine Hat Jan. 12.

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, Henrik Samuelsson vs Kootenay Jan. 14, Tristan Sieban @ Prince Albert Jan 21.

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, Henrik Samuelsson @ Medicine Hat, Jan 12.

Win- Tristan Jarry Oct 26 vs Everett.

Streaks: Martin Gernat three games (0-3-3), TJ Foster two games (1-1-2)

Notes: The Kings head into the week leading the Eastern Conference with 89 points through 63 games, four points more than the Moose Jaw Warriors. Michael St. Croix entered the week 8th in WHL scoring with 95 points in 63 games. Dylan Wruck is tied for 14th in league scoring with 75 points in 60 games. The Oil Kings have the second ranked power play and third ranked penalty kill heading into the week.

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- @ Kootenay Ice, Cranbrook RecPlex, 7pm

Thursday-

Friday-

Saturday- vs Swift Current Broncos, Rexall Place, 7pm

Sunday- vs Saskatoon Blades, Rexall Place, 6pm

Monday-

Top Ten #20

This is a poll of several Team 1260 members who follow the WHL closely and is compiled each Monday of the WHL season.

GDB #61 vs Kelowna

Oil Kings (60 39-14-3-4) vs Rockets (60 25-27-3-5)

The Oil Kings wrap up a quick two game home stand tonight when they face the Kelowna Rockets for the second time in a week.  The Kings are coming off a thrilling 5-4 shoot out win over the Medicine Hat Tigers on Monday afternoon.  They fell down 3-0 midway through the first period, but chipped away to tie it with just over five minutes left in the game.  Emerson Etem put the Tigers ahead with 2:41 left.  Dylan Wruck tied the game again, with his 20th of the season with 37 seconds left.  Tyler Maxwell and Martin Gernat scored in the shoot out to secure the two points.  Tristan Jarry picked up his sixth win of the year.

The Rockets are coming off a 4-3 shoot out win over the Red Deer Rebels on Saturday night. After falling behind 2-0, the Rockets rallied to lead 3-2, five minutes into the third period.  Mat Dumba tied it for Red Deer with 32 seconds left, but Damon Severson ended a seven round shoot out for the win.

Photo: Wayne Moore- Castanet

Season Series:  This is the third and final meeting between the clubs this year.  The Rockets took the first in a very tight 2-1 shoot out win in November.  Zach Franko ended an eight round shoot out, Kristians Pelss and Colton Sissons traded first period goals.  Laurent Brossoit and Jordan Cooke took over after that in between the pipes.  The Oil Kings took the return matchup 6-3 last week in Kelowna.  They rallied from a 2-0 first period deficiet, scoring five times in the second to cruise to the victory.

Up Next: The Oil Kings hit the road for their final regular season matchup with the Calgary Hitmen on Friday night.  The Rocket are beginning a five game road trip here tonight, they are in Lethbridge on Friday night.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (38)
KEL- Colton Sissons (26)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (92)
KEL- Shane McColgan (56)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (33)
KEL- Adam Brown (19)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (119)
KEL- Brett Lyon (126)

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

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)

KEL-  Brett Bulmer- Minnesota Wild (2nd , 2010), Shane McColgan- Rangers (5th, 2011).

Injury Report:

EDM: #21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, day to day
#22, Ryan Dech, Lower body,  2 weeks

KEL:  #5, Mitchell Chapman, Upper Body, 1 week
#10, Filip Vasko, Lower body, 2 weeks
#15, Colton Sissons, Upper body, 1 month+
#16, Spencer Main, Upper body, 1 month+

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Notes: Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is tied for 5th in league scoring (92), Dylan Wruck is tied in 12th (75). Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied in 8th in rookie scoring (44) and he tied in 9th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 4th in GAA (2.56), and is 3rd in wins (33).  For Kelowna, Carter Rigby is tied for 15th in rookie scoring (30).  This is the second of three meetings between the two clubs this year. Pregame show at 6:45, the puck drops at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

Road Trip Photo Blog #4

The Olympic Torch in Vancouver looking from the water towards downtown.

A closer look at the Torch, the arms are made from panes of glass.

The hallway outside of the Giants room in Vancouver

A seaplane taking off in Vancouver

Looking into the visitor's room in Vancouver

The Oil Kings warming up at the Pacific Coliseum

View from broadcast booth in Kelowna.  Great spot, but, in behind the cameras.

Weekly Review #19

Review: The Oil Kings continued their season long 11 day road trip last week with stops in Kamloops, Kelowna, and Vancouver.  They played a solid 40 minutes in Kamloops, building up a 2-0 lead after the second period.  The Blazers rallied for three third period goals, including the winner with less than a minute on the clock for the victory.  The Kings bounced back the next night coming from behind to beat the Rockets, 6-3.  The trip closed with a 6-2 loss in Vancouver.  Again a solid 40 minutes was for not, as the wheels came off in the third period.  Edmonton would get back on the winning side when they returned home, downing the Tigers 5-4 in a shootout.  They fell behind 3-0 in the first but fought back to tie it twice, including Dylan Wruck's 20th of the season with 37 seconds left.

Tuesday Feb. 14- Loss 3-2 @ Kamloops
Wednesday Feb. 15- Win 6-3 @ Kelowna
Friday Feb. 17- Loss 6-2 @ Vancouver
Monday Feb. 20- Win 5-4 SO vs Medicine Hat

Upcoming: The stretch drives continues with three games this week.  They host the Kelowna Rockets in a rematch on Wednesday night, play their final game of the season in Calgary on Friday, and finish their season series with Lethbridge on Sunday afternoon.

Leaders: Goals: Michael St. Croix (38)

Assists: Dylan Wruck (55)

Points: St. Croix (92)

PIMS: Keegan Lowe (119)

Plus/Minus: St. Croix (+34)

Wins: Laurent Brossoit (33)

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, Henrik Samuelsson @ Medicine Hat Jan. 12.

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, Henrik Samuelsson vs Kootenay Jan. 14, Tristan Sieban @ Prince Albert Jan 21.

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, Henrik Samuelsson @ Medicine Hat, Jan 12.

Win- Tristan Jarry Oct 26 vs Everett.

Streaks: Michael St. Croix three games (2-3-5), Tyler Maxwell three games (3-2-5)

Notes: The Kings head into the week leading the Eastern Conference with 85 points through 60 games, four  points more than the Moose Jaw Warriors. Michael St. Croix entered the week tied for 5th in WHL scoring with 92 points in 60 games. Dylan Wruck is tied for 12th in league scoring with 75 points in 60 games. The Oil Kings have the second ranked power play and third ranked penalty kill heading into the week.

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 Kelowna Rockets, Rexall Place, 7pm

Thursday- Travel Day

Friday- @ Calgary Hitmen, Scotiabank Saddledome, 7pm

Saturday-

Sunday- vs Lethbridge Hurricanes, Rexall Place, 2pm

Monday- vs

Top Ten #19

This is a poll of several Team 1260 members who follow the WHL closely and is compiled each Monday of the WHL season.

GDB # 58 @ Kelowna

Oil Kings (57 37-13-3-4) vs Rockets (57 24-25-3-5)

The Oil Kings play game five of their six game road trip tonight against the Rockets.  The Kings are coming off a very disappointing 3-2 loss last night in Kamloops.  They controlled the pace for most of the first 40 minutes and had a 2-0 lead heading into the third period.  The wheels came off, as the Oil Kings looked tired, and the Blazers took advantage scoring three times.  Matt Needham capped the comeback with a minute to go in regulation as he banged home a rebound behind Laurent Brossoit.  It was a great crowd in Kamloops, just over 5000 took in the showdown of the top two teams in the league, and they went home happy.

Kelowna also played last night losing 4-3 in a shootout in Seattle.  They were down 3-1 after the first period but Zach Franko and Myles Bell, on a penalty shot with less than a minute left in regulation, tied it to force overtime.  The Rockets are now winless in their last four games, but have two loser points in that stretch.

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series:  This is the second of three meetings between the clubs this year.  The Rockets took the first in a very tight 2-1 shoot out win in November.  Zach Franko ended an eight round shoot out, Kristians Pelss and Colton Sissons traded first period goals.  Laurent Brossoit and Jordan Cooke took over after that in between the pipes.  The teams hook up again in Edmonton a week from tonight.

Up Next: The Oil Kings head to Vancouver to wrap up the trip when they face the Giants for the third time this season.  The Rockets are opening up a three game homestand, they host Calgary on Friday night.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (36)
KEL- Colton Sissons (26)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (87)
KEL- Shane McColgan (56)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (32)
KEL- Adam Brown (18)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (112)
KEL- Mitch Chapman (101)

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

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)

KEL-  Brett Bulmer- Minnesota Wild (2nd , 2010), Shane McColgan- Rangers (5th, 2011).

Injury Report:

EDM: #21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, day to day
#22, Ryan Dech, Lower body, week to week

KEL:  #5, Mitchell Chapman, Upper Body, 1-2 weeks
#10, Filip Vasko, Lower body, 3 weeks
#14, Cody Chikie, Upper body, day to day
#15, Colton Sissons, Upper body, 1 month+
#16, Spencer Main, Upper body, 1 month+
#27, Jessey Astles, Upper body, day to day

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Notes: Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is 6th in league scoring (87), Dylan Wruck is 14th (71). Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied in 8th in rookie scoring (41) and he tied in 10th in scoring amongst defencemen. He also leads the league at +36.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 3rd in GAA (2.44), and is 3rd in wins (32).  For Kelowna, Carter Rigby is 15th in rookie scoring (30).  This is the second of three meetings between the two clubs this year. Pregame show at 7:45, the puck drops at 8:00 MT on the Team 1260.

WHL Top Ten #18

This is a poll of several Team 1260 members who follow the WHL closely and is compiled each Monday of the WHL season.

Weekly Review #18

Review: It was a busy week for the Oil Kings as they kicked off their longest road trip of the season.  Things started at home with a 3-1 win over Kootenay.  They began the roadie in Calgary, downing the Hitmen 9-5.  Both Tyler Maxwell and TJ Foster recorded hat tricks.  Then they split a weekend series in PG, losing 5-4 in OT on Friday before Laurnet Brossoit posted his third shut out of the season in a 5-0 win.  Rhett Rachinski netted his first career hat trick in the victory.

Tuesday Feb. 7- Win 3-1 vs Kootenay
Wednesday Feb. 8- Win 9-5 @ Calgary
Friday Feb. 10- Loss 5-4 OT @ Prince George
Saturday Feb. 11- Win 5-0 @ Prince George

Upcoming: The Kings continue their BC trip with stops in Kamloops, Kelowna and Vancouver.  They return home on holiday Monday afternoon, facing the Medicine Hat Tigers at 2pm.

Leaders: Goals: Michael St. Croix (36)

Assists: Dylan Wruck (52)

Points: St. Croix (87)

PIMS: Keegan Lowe (110)

Plus/Minus: Martin Gernat (+37)

Wins: Laurent Brossoit (32)

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, Henrik Samuelsson @ Medicine Hat Jan. 12.

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, Henrik Samuelsson vs Kootenay Jan. 14, Tristan Sieban @ Prince Albert Jan 21.

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, Henrik Samuelsson @ Medicine Hat, Jan 12.

Win- Tristan Jarry Oct 26 vs Everett.

Streaks: Rhett Rachinski goals in four straight (6-0-6), points 5 straight (6-1-7)

Notes: The Kings head into the week leading the Eastern Conference with 81 points through 56 games, five points more than the Moose Jaw Warriors. Michael St. Croix entered the week 5th in WHL scoring with 87 points in 56 games. Dylan Wruck is 13th in league scoring with 71 points in 56 games. The Oil Kings have both the second ranked power play and penalty kill heading into the week.

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- @ Kamloops Blazers, Interior Savings Centre, 8pm MT

Wednesday- @ Kelowna Rockets, Prospera Place, 8pm MT

Thursday- Travel Day

Friday- @ Vancouver Giants, Pacific Coliseum, 8pm MT

Saturday-

Sunday-

Monday- vs Medicine Hat Tigers, Rexall Place, 2pm

GDB #57 @ Kamloops

Oil Kings (56 37-12-3-4) vs Blazers (56 40-12-1-3)

The top two teams in the WHL meet tonight in Kamloops as the Oil Kings visit the Blazers.  Edmonton is coming off a 5-0 shut out victory in Prince George.  Rhett Rachinski led the way with his first WHL hat-trick.  Keegan Lowe was plus five with three assists.  Laurent Brossoit made 24 saves for his third shut out of the season.  The Kings now have points in five straight games, including four victories.  They lead the Eastern Conference with 81 points.

Kamloops has won four in a row, including back to back one goal victories over the Kelowna Rockets over the weekend.  The Blazers are the top team in the entire WHL with 84 points and sit in third in the country in the CHL Top Ten.  The Blazers feature a pair of former Oil Kings, goaltender Cam Lanigan and defender Marek Hrbas.

Season Series:  This is the second of two meetings this season.  Kamloops dominated the earlier matchup, winning 5-2.  It was the end of a road trip for Edmonton, and their fourth game in five nights, and Kamloops took full advantage outworking Edmonton and controlling the play.  

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Up Next: The Oil Kings are right back at it tomorrow night, facing the Kelowna Rockets.  The Rockets are in Seattle on Tuesday.  Edmonton wraps up their road trip Friday in Vancouver.  Tonight is game one of a four game home stand for Kamloops, they face Red Deer on Friday night.

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (36)
KAM- Brendan Ranford (32)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (87)
KAM- Ranford (72)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (32)
KAM- Cole Cheveldave (28)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (110)
KAM- JC Lipon (78)

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)

KAM-  Austin Madaisky- Columbus Blue Jackets (5th, 2010), Brendan Ranford- Philadelphia Flyers (7th, 2010).

Injury Report:

EDM: #21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, week to week
#22, Ryan Dech, Lower body, 1 month

KAM:  #17, Jordan DePape, Upper body, 1 month
#34, JC Lipon, Upper body, day to day

Notes: Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is tied for 5th in league scoring (87), Dylan Wruck is 13th (71). Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied in 8th in rookie scoring (41) and he tied in 9th in scoring amongst defencemen. He also leads the league at +37.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 3rd in GAA (2.42), and is 3rd in wins (32).  For Kamloops, Brendan Ranford is tied for 10th in league scoring, Colin Smith is tied in 16th.  Tim Bozon is tied for the lead in rookie scoring (56).  Austin Madaisky is 8th in defencemen scoring (42).  Cole Cheveldave if 4th in both GAA (2.49) and wins (28).  This is the second and final meeting between the two clubs this year. Pregame show at 7:45, the puck drops at 8:00 MT on the Team 1260.

Road Trip Photo Blog #3

The Oil Kings wrapped up their stay in Prince George, and have move on to Kelowna, which will be home base for a few days.

Another great WHL tradition, the 20 year olds, Rhett Rachinski, Jordan Peddle, and Tyler Maxwell 'sign out' in Prince George.

The Kelowna Rockets practice before boarding their bus to face the Thunderbirds in Seattle on Tuesday night.

Kelowna's Wall of Honour featuring former Captains Gavin McLeod and Ryan Cuthbert.

Couple of decent Rocket defencemen from 2002-03 WHL Championship team Shea Weber and Duncan Keith.

Tristan Jarry's goal pads.

Mark Pysyk's and Stephane Legault's stalls ready for practice.

Not an awful view from the hotel room.

Rogan Dean makes repairs during practice.

Solid afternoon stroll along the lake.

Road Trip Photo Blog #2

The Oil Kings road trip through BC continues, here is another series of photos on a game day in Prince George.

Home for the next week or so...

Not a bad hotel room at all in Prince George.

Solid Saturday afternoon of 'prep'

Nice touch with Cougar Alumni banners throughout the CN Centre

Game jerseys out of the wash, awaiting some repairs.

Kings Equipment Assistant Les Fragle mends some holes in Cody Corbett's uniform.

Trying to make the Visitor's room feel more like Home.

More tradition, outside of the Cougar dressing room.  Alums Dana Tyrell and Blair Betts are featured.

Always more skates to sharpen for Equipment Manager Rogan Dean.

GDB #56 @ Prince George

Oil Kings (55 36-12-3-4) vs Cougars (53 17-34-0-2)

The Kings and Cougars are right back it again tonight in Prince George.  The Cougars came out on top last night in a thrilling 5-4 overtime finish.  PG had a one nothing lead after 20 minutes, goaltender Drew Owsley was fantastic in the early going until Dylan Wruck tied it in the second.  The Kings would open up a 3-1 lead early in the third with a pair of power play goals by Michael St. Croix and Rhett Rachinski.  The Cats would claw back to tie it briefly, before St. Croix put the Kings ahead again.  Campbell Elynuik would be the hero in OT.

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

The Kings will need a better effort tonight to earn two point against the upstart Cougars.  Prince George is the lowest scoring team in the WHL, but they never stop working and that can keep them in games.  Drew Owsley has been good for the Cougars as well stopping 98 of 107 shots in the two games against Edmonton.

Season Series:  This is the third and final meeting between the clubs this year. Edmonton is 1-0-1-0 in the two matchups.  

Up Next: The Oil Kings head for Kelowna tomorrow morning, and will base out of the city for a few days.  They face the top team in the WHL, the Kamloops Blazers on Tuesday, before playing the Rockets on Wednesday.  The Cougars wrap up a five game homestand on Wednesday against the Red Deer Rebels.

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (36)
PG- Spencer Asuchak (14)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (87)
PG- Troy Bourke (37)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (31)
PG- Drew Owsley (16)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (110)
PG- Campbell Elynuik (122)

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)

PG-  Ricard Blidstrand- Philadelphia Flyers (7th, 2010).

Injury Report:

EDM: #21, Travis Ewanyk, Upper body, week to week
#22, Ryan Dech, Lower body, 1 month
#27 Curtis Lazar, Lower Body, TBD

PG: #2, Dan Gibb, Upper body, 1-2 weeks
#21, Shane Pilling, Upper body, day to day

Notes: Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is tied for 3rd in league scoring (87), Dylan Wruck is tied in 10th (71). Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied in 8th in rookie scoring (41) and he tied in 8th in scoring amongst defencemen. He also leads the league at +37.  Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 3rd in GAA (2.48), and is 3rd in wins (31).  For Prince George, Alex Forsberg is tied in 11th in rookie scoring (31).  The Oil Kings have scored a league high 239 goals, the Cougars a league low 119.  This is the third of three meetings between the two clubs this year. Pregame show at 7:45, the puck drops at 8:00 MT on the Team 1260.