GDB #54 @ Calgary

Oil Kings (53 35-12-2-4) vs Hitmen (54 32-19-2-1)

The Kings kick off their season long six game road trip tonight against one of the hotter teams in the WHL, the Calgary Hitmen.  Edmonton is looking to extend thier winning streak to three games after downing Kooetnay 3-1 at Rexall Place on Tuesday afternoon.  The Kings received a goal and assist from both Michael St.Croix and Griffin Reinhart.  Dylan Wruck added a pair of assists and shares the team lead with St. Croix at 48.  St. Croix was plus one and assumes the league lead in that department at plus 34.

Calgary is coming off a loss last night in Medicine Hat 5-3.  The Hitmen have shot up the standings in the new year, going 15-3 in their last 18 contests.  They entered the third period tied at three with the Tigers, but allowed a pair of goals, including Emerson Etem's league leading 49th which sealed the deal.

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series:  This is the fifth of six matchups this season and the second at the Saddledome.  The Oil Kings took the first three matchups all in Edmonton by a combined score of 14-4.  Calgary rebounded to take the last meeting of the clubs 4-3 in Calgary in January.  The teams meet once more in Cowtown on February 24th.

Up Next: The Oil Kings hit the road after the game heading towards Prince George where they open up a two game set with the Cougars. Edmonton also visits Kamloops, Kelowna, and Vancouver on this swing through the BC division.  This is the first game of a three game homestand for the Hitmen.  They host the Warriors on Friday before facing the Ice on Sunday.

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (34)
CAL- Jimmy Bubnick (24)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (82)
CAL- Cody Sylvester (56)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (30)
CAL- Chris Driedger, Brandon Glover (16)

PIMS- EDM- Mitch Moroz (104)
CAL- Jaynen Rissling (101)

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)

CAL- Jimmy Bubnick- Atlanta Thrashers (6th, 2009, Free Agent), Brooks Macek- Detroit Red Wings (6th, 2010), Victor Rask- Hurricanes (2nd, 2011), Alex Roach signed free agent (Los Angeles Kings).

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

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

CAL: #9, Jaynen Rissling, Lower body, 2 weeks
#11, Brooks Macek, Lower body, day to day

Notes: Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is 5th in league scoring (82), Dylan Wruck is tied in 12th (66). Defenceman Martin Gernat is 9th in rookie scoring (38) and he tied in 12th in scoring amongst defencemen. Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is 3rd in GAA (2.42), and is 3rd in wins (30).  Krisitans Pelss will serve the 2nd game of a three game suspension tonight. For Calgary, Victor Rask is 5th in rookie scoring (41), Alex Gogolev is tied in 6th (40)  Collin Bowman is 15th in scoring amongst defencemen (36).  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.