Oil Kings (3 3-0-0-0) vs Hitmen (2 2-0-0-0)
The junior hockey version of the 'Battle of Alberta' continues tonight at Rexall Place as the Oil Kings meet the Hitmen for the first time this season. Both teams come into tonight's tilt with unblemished records. Edmonton is coming of a dominating 3-0 win in Lethbridge where they outshot the Hurricanes 60-20. Curtis Lazar, TJ Foster and Henrik Samuelsson scored for the Kings while Tristan Jarry recorded his first WHL shutout. Zane Jones, with a two goal effort, led the Hitmen to a 5-1 win over Kootenay on Tuesday night.
 |
| Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil King |
Last Year: The Oil Kings were 5-1 last season against the Hitmen. Calgary surged up the standings finishing 3rd in the Eastern Conference at season's end. Their season ended at the hand of the Brandon Wheat Kings in the first round of the playoffs.
The Opposition: The Hitmen figure to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Two seasons ago the they finished last overall in the WHL, and as earlier mentioned they weren't in the rebuilding cycle for long. Calgary adds Jake Virtanen, the first overall pick in the 2011 Bantam Draft, to their lineup full time this year. They are without Victor Rask at the moment as he is in training camp with the Charlotte Checkers, and is eligible to spend the season in the AHL.
 |
| Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil King |
Leaders:
Goals- EDM- Curtis Lazar (4)
CAL- Cody Sylvester (3)
Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (5)
CAL- Sylvester (5)
Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (2)
CAL- Chris Driedger (2)
PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe, Mason Geertsen (14)
CAL- Darian Henry, Kenton Helgesen (9)
Next Up: The Oil Kings have a few days of in their schedule, not playing again until Thursday. They continue their three game homestand when the Raiders visit before facing the Saskatoon Blades next Saturday night. Calgary opens a three game homestand tomorrow night when the Rebels visit the Saddledome.
 |
| Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil King |
Drafted:
EDM- Keegan Lowe- Carolina Hurricanes (3rd, 2011), Travis Ewanyk- Edmonton Oilers (3rd, 2011), Michael St. Croix- New York Rangers (4th, 2011), Martin Gernat- Oilers (5th, 2011), Laurent Brossoit- Calgary Flames (6th, 2011), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).
CAL- Brooks Macek- Detroit Red Wings (6th, 2010), Victor Rask- Hurricanes (2nd, 2011), Chris Driedger- Ottawa Senators (3rd, 2012), Kenton Helgesen- Anaheim Ducks (7th, 2012), Jaynen Rissling- Washington Capitals (7th, 2012), Alex Roach (signed free agent- Los Angeles Kings).
Injury Report:
EDM: #11 Dylan Wruck, Upper body, week to week
#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, TBD
CAL: #19 Calder Brooks, upper body, week-to-week
#5 Spencer Humphries, lower body, day-to-day
#2 Josh Thrower, upper body, day-to-day
Notes: The Oil Kings will be without defenceman Cody Corbett as he is headed to Buffalo for the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game. He and Seth Jones of Portland are the lone WHL'ers in the game. Defenceman Martin Gernat underwent shoulder surgery in Europe yesterday, he is expected to return to the Oil Kings next month. Tonight is one of nine games on the WHL schedule. It is the first of six meetings between the two clubs this season. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.
