GDB #19 @ Kelowna

Oil Kings(18 11-4-1-2) @ Rockets (18 10-6-1-1)

The Oil Kings look to extend their winning streak to three tonight when they face the Rockets in Kelowna.  Edmonton is coming off a 2-1 win in Kamloops last night.  The Oil Kings got off to a quick start when Mitch Moroz scored his 4th of the season 21 seconds into the game.  Henrik Samuelsson added his 10th on the power play midway through the first.  Laurent Brossoit was fantastic making 31 saves to earn his eighth win of the year.  The Rockets have won three in a row, including back to back shut outs.  Kelowna blanked Kamloops 3-0 on Thursday and shut down the Cougars 5-0 on Saturday.  Both goalies, Jordan Cooke and Jackson Whistle, posted shut outs.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series- The Oil Kings won the previous matchup between the clubs 5-3 at Rexall Place. Henrik Samuelsson led the way with a pair of goals.  Rockets netminder Jordan Cooke made 38 stops in the loss.  This is the final meeting between the clubs this year.

The Opposition: The Rockets are hot as of late, winning three straight since the loss in Edmonton.  They have a shutout streak of 175:21 heading into action tonight.  Kelowna's penalty kill has been very effective as of late, they have killed off 14 straight.




Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (11)

KEL- Zach Franko, Colton Sissons, Myles Bell (9)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (25)

KEL- Bell (24)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (8)

KEL- Jordan Cooke (7)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (53)
KEL- Ryan Olsen (27) 

Next Up: The Oil Kings have an off day tomorrow to travel up to Prince George where they will finish their trip with a pair of games against the Cougars.  Following that, Edmonton returns home and won't play until Saturday night.  The Rockets wrap up a four game homestand on Friday when they face the Rebels.  They then head south to face Tri City.


Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kingsk

Drafted:
EDM- David Musil- Edmonton Oilers (2nd, 2011), 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), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

Kel- Dylan McKinley- Minnesota Wild (7th, 2010, Free Agent), Colton Sissons- Nashville Predators (2nd, 2012), Damon Severson- New Jersey Devils (2nd, 2012), Ryan Olsen- Winnipeg Jets (6th, 2012)

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminary Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM)
B Skaters- Madison Bowey (Kel)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Mitchell Wheaton (Kel)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:
#7 Stephane Legault, lower body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

Kel: #5 Mitch Chapman, lower body, one month
#11 Carter Rigby, upper body, 1-2 weeks
#17 J.T. Barnett, lower body, 1 week
#22 Mackenzie Johnston, lower body, 1 month
#30 Jordan Cooke, upper body, 1 week
Roster Notes: Rocket's netminder Jordan Cooke took shots from locked out NHL'ers this morning and is a gametime decision. 

Notes:  Michael St. Croix is tied in 7th in scoring (25). Rockets defenceman Myles Bell is tied in 9th in scoring (24) he leads defencemen in scoring.  Laurent Brossoit is 8th in GAA (2.62). The The Oil Kings power play ranks 3rd, and their PK is ranked 1st. The Rocket's PP is ranked 19th, their PK is 3rd. Tonight is one of  six games on the schedule and is the final of two games between the teams. Pregame at 7:45, puck drop at 8:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB #17 @ Swift Current

Oil Kings(16 9-4-1-2) vs Broncos(19 7-7-3-2)

The Oil Kings will look to regroup as they continue their six game trip tonight in Swift Current.  The Kings fell 3-2 to the Raiders last night after leading the game 2-0 in the first period.  Henrik Samuelsson and Dylan Wruck paced the Kings early, but the Raiders chipped away and gained momentum in front of a sold out barn at the Art Hauser Centre.  PA scored twice in the thrid and goaltender Luke Siemens was sensational to seal the victory.  Meanwhile the Broncos hosted the Seattle Thunderbirds last night coming from behind to win the game 4-3.  Adam Lowery lead the way with a goal and two helpers, and former T-Bird Chance Lund scored the winner shorthanded in the third.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Year-  Edmonton swept the four game series last season between the two clubs.  The Broncos were in the playoff mix for most of the season before finishing 10th in the WHL's Eastern Conference.  Swift won 27 games last year, when one of their best players, Adam Lowery, only played 36 games due to injury.

The Opposition: The Broncos are sitting at .500 through their first 19 games.  They look to be in a similar situation as last year, and will likely be in the mix for a playoff spot in the East.  They recently acquired Brent Benson from Saskatoon to add to their offensive depth.  GM/Head Coach Mark Lamb has built a nice core of defencemen led by Devils draftee Reece Scarlett and draft eligible Dillon Heatherington.




Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster, Michael St. Croix (10)

SC- Adam Lowey (9)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (23)

SC- Lowey (21)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (6)

SC- Eetu Laurikainen (7)

PIMS- EDM- Travis Ewanyk, Keegan Lowe (43)

SC- Richard Nedomlel (38)

Next Up: The Oil Kings have a couple days off before they continue their trip in Kamloops on Tuesday night.  That game kicks off a stretch of four games in five nights that sees Edmonton face Kelowna and finish with back to back games in Prince George.  The Broncos kick off a home and home with the Raiders in Prince Albert on Wednesday.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted:
EDM- David Musil- Edmonton Oilers (2nd, 2011), 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), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

SC- Adam Lowery- Winnipeg Jets (3rd, 2011), Reece Scarlett- New Jersey Devils (6th, 2011), Richard Nedomlel- Detroit Red Wings (6th, 2011), Graham Black- Devils (5th, 2012), Coda Gordon- Flames (6th, 2012)

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminery Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM)
B Skaters- Dillon Heatherington (SC)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Colby Cave (SC)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:
#7 Setphane Legault, lower body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

SC: #19 Shea Howorko, upper body, indefinite

Roster notes:

Notes: The Giants dealt Nathan Burns to the Blades in exchange for a '14 1st round pick, a '13 3rd round pick and forward Travis McEvoy.  Michael St. Croix is tied in 8th in scoring (23). Tristan Jarry leads the WHL in GAA 1.51. The The Oil Kings power play ranks 3rd, and their PK is ranked 1st. The Bronco's PP is ranked 6th, their PK is 8th. Tonight is one of ten games on the schedule. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB #16 @ PA

Oil Kings(15 9-3-1-2) vs Raiders(16 10-4-0-2)

The Oil Kings kick off a six game road trip tonight in Prince Albert when they meet the Raiders for the second time this season.  PA took the first game 4-1 at Rexall last month.  The Oil Kings made some big news this week when they acquired David Musil from the Vancouver Giants for Mason Geertsen and a first round pick in the 2013 Bantam Draft. Last game out the Kings downed Musil and the Giants 5-1 on Sunday.  TJ Foster, Travis Ewanyk, Mitch Moroz, Edgars Kulda and Michael St. Croix tallied for the Kings, who have won four straight.  Tristan Jarry made 29 saves to earn his third win of the season.  The Raiders have won back to back games and lead the Eastern Conference with 22 points coming into action tonight.  They are coming off a 2-1 shootout win over Swift Current on Tuesday.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series-  The Raiders recorded their first ever regulation win at Rexall Place last time these teams played.  The Oil Kings won all four matchups last season.  The teams play twice more this season once in Prince Albert and once in Edmonton.  

The Opposition: The Raiders are ranked 10th in the CHL's Top Ten.  Earlier this season they added veteran defensman Davis Vandane from the Spokane Chiefs to replace Antoine Corbin who is playing in the American Hockey League with the Hamilton Bulldogs.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings



Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster, Michael St. Croix (10)

PA- Dakota Conroy (8)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (22)

PA- Mark McNeill (16)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (6)

PA- Luke Siemens (9)

PIMS- EDM- Travis Ewanyk (43)

PA- Harrison Ruopp (24)

Next Up: The Oil Kings continue their road trip tomorrow night when they face the Swift Current Broncos for the first time this season.  After Swift, the Kings head west to face the Blazers in Kamloops.  The Raiders are wrapping up a seven game home stand here tonight.  They visit Regina tomorrow before returning to the Art Hauser Centre for a pair of games.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Drafted:
EDM- David Musil- Edmonton Oilers (2nd, 2011), 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), Griffin Reinhart- New York Islanders (1st, 2012), Henrik Samuelsson- Phoenix Coyotes (1st, 2012), Mitch Moroz- Oilers (2nd, 2012).

PA- Mark McNeill- Chicago Blackhawks (1st, 2011), Harrison Ruopp- Coyotes (3rd, 2011) Mike Winther- Dallas Stars (2nd, 2012).

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminery Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM), Josh Morrissey (PA)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Chance Braid (PA)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:
#7 Setphane Legault, lower body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

PA: #19 Reid Gardiner, upper body, week to week

Roster notes: David Musil will make his Oil King debut here tonight.  Raider defenceman Shayne Gwinner has returned home to Drumheller awaiting a trade.  Gwinner was acquired from Moose Jaw this off season and has played in nine games this season.

Notes: The Kootenay Ice acquired Zach McPhee from Everett in exchange for a 7th round pick in 2014.  Yesterday the Ice sent Kyle Kraben and Doug Morris to Vancouver for Austin Vetterl.  Michael St. Croix is tied in 9th in scoring (22).  Raiders goalie Luke Siemens is 3rd in GAA (2.24).  Josh Morrissey is tied for 7th in scoring amongst defencemen.  Leon Draisaitl is tied for 3rd in rookie scoring (12).  The The Oil Kings power play ranks 3rd, and  their PK is ranked 2nd. The Warrior's PP is ranked 9th, their PK is 14th. Tonight is one of  ten games on the schedule. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.