GDB #69 vs Red Deer

Oil Kings (68 46-15-3-4) vs Rebels (67 30-31-1-5)

The Oil Kings play their final home game of the regular season tonight when they rematch with the Red Deer Rebels.  The Oil Kings beat the Rebs last night 5-2 in Red Deer.  TJ Foster lead the way with a pair of markers, Curtis Lazar, Rhett Rachinski, and Travis Ewanyk tallied as well.  With the win and the Moose Jaw loss to the Pats, the Oil Kings have secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile it was a huge loss for the Rebels who are seeing their faint playoff hopes just about expire.  The Rebels trail the Wheat Kings by 10 points with five games left in their season.  The Oil Kings will have a chance to hammer the final nail in the coffin tonight at Rexall Place.



Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series: The Oil Kings now lead the series with six points (2-0-1-1) in four matchups this season.  They have won the past two games after dropping the first two.  They will wrap up the series and season  next Saturday in Red Deer.

Up Next: The Kings hit the road to wrap up the regular season with a three game trip starting Wednesday in Kootenay.  They also visit Medicine Hat and Red Deer. The Rebels open up a three game road trip tonight.  They are in Calgary Sunday afternoon and visit Medicine Hat on Tuesday.

Stretch Drive: The Kings have three games left after tonight.  None at home, and three on the road (Kootenay, Medicine Hat, Red Deer). They have clinched a first spot overall in the Eastern Conference and are tied with the Tri-City Americans for first overall with 99 points.

The Rebels have four games left after tonight. Two at home (Lethbridge, Edmonton), and two on the road (Calgary, Medicine Hat). Red Deer sits ninth in the Eastern Conference ten points behind the Wheat Kings. Brandon's magic number to eliminate Red Deer is one.

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (41)
RD- Jon Persson (22)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (98)
RD- Persson (54)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (39)
RD- Devan Dubyk (16)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (135)
RD- Alex Petrovic (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)

RD- Justin Weller- Phoenix Coyotes (4th, 2009), Alex Petrovic- Florida Panthers (2nd, 2010), John Persson- New York Islanders (5th, 2011)

Injury Report:

EDM: None to report

RD: #3, Aaron Borejko, Upper body, 1 month+
#8, Kayle Doetzel, Upper body, week to week
#10, Turner Elson, Upper body, week to week
#12, Colten Mayor, Upper body, 1 month+
#16, Joel Hamilton, Upper body, 1 month+
#26, Justin Weller, Upper body, 1 month+
#35, Patrik Bartosak, Upper body, season ending

Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings

Notes: Oil Kings forward Michael St. Croix is 8th in league scoring (98), Dylan Wruck is tied in 16th (78). Defenceman Martin Gernat is tied in  7th in rookie scoring (50) and he is tied in 8th in scoring amongst defencemen. Oil Kings netminder Laurent Brossoit is tied in 2nd in GAA (2.44), and is 2nd in wins (38). For Red Deer, Mat Dumba is tied in 8th in defencemen scoring (50), Alex Petrovic is 17th (42). Patrik Bartosak is 10th in GAA (2.74). 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.