GDB #9 vs Calgary

Oil Kings (8 5-2-1-0) vs Hitmen (6 4-0-1-1)

For the third time this season the Oil Kings and Hitmen face off tonight in the junior version of the 'Battle of Alberta'.  The Hitmen have taken both previous matchups so far this season.  Edmonton is coming off a hard earned victory in Medicine Hat 4-2 over the Tigers.  They led 4-0 before penalty trouble finally caught up with them, allowing the Tigers to get on the board.  Brett Pollock scored his first WHL goal, Dylan Wruck, Henrik Samuelsson, and Griffin Reinhart tallied for Edmonton.  Cole Benson picked up his first two WHL assists as well. 
Meanwhile Calgary hasn't played since last Sunday's 6-5 overtime win over Edmonton at the Saddledome.

 

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Season Series:  Calgary is undefeated against the Oil Kings this year winning 4-1 at Rexall Place early in the year and knocking off the Kings 6-5 in overtime in Cowtown.  The teams meet six times this season, all before the Christmas break.  They face each other three more times in December to round out the first half of the year.

The Opposition: Calgary is yet to lose in regulation this year.  They have lost to Red Deer in overtime and have a shootout loss against Prince Albert.  Like earlier mentioned they have had almost a full week off since beating the Kings in Calgary in a wild game on Sunday.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

 

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- TJ Foster (7)

CAL- Cody Sylvester (5)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (11)

CAL- Brooks Macek (9)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (4)

CAL- Chris Driedger (4)

PIMS- EDM- Travis Ewanyk (25) 
CAL- Darian Henry (21)

Next Up: The Oil Kings hit the road for the last time this month for a Sunday evening affair with the Kootenay Ice.  The Oil Kings won't be on the road again until early November when they leave Rexall on their annual Rodeo trip.  The Hitmen open a three game in three night stretch here tonight.  They host Red Deer and Kamloops this weekend.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

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).
 

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminery Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM),
B Skaters- Mason Geertsen (EDM)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)
 
Injury Report:

EDM: #7 Stephane Legault, lower body, week to week
#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

CAL:  #17 Pavlo Padakin, upper body, day to day#19 Calder Brooks, upper body, 1 month
Roster Notes:  Keegan Lowe made his return to the Oil Kings lineup on Wednesday in Medicine Hat.  Hitmen forward Victor Rask has made the opening day roster for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League.

 

Notes: The Giants have acquired Kale Kessey from the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for a conditional 5th round pick in the 2015 bantam draft.  The Giants released 20 year old John Neibrandt to make room for Kessey.  Overage defenceman Conner Cox was claimed off waivers from Saskatoon by the Everett Silvertips, who released 20 year Cody Fowlie to make room on their roster.  Tonight is one of ten games on the schedule. Pregame at 7:15, puck drop at 7:30 on the Team 1260.

 

GDB #8 @ Medicine Hat

Oil Kings (7 4-2-1-0) vs Tigers (7 3-3-1-0)

The Oil Kings wrap up a two game road trip tonight in Medicine Hat.  Edmonton is coming off a 6-5 overtime loss in Calgary on Sunday afternoon.  The Oil Kings, lead by TJ Foster's franchise single game record four goals, traded the lead back and forth with the Hitmen all afternoon.  A Michael St. Croix power play goal late would force overtime before Calgary's Spencer Humphries tallied a PP goal of his own to send the home side to victory.  Edmonton has lost three of their last four games, but have points in back to back games after beating the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday night.  Medicine Hat has lost back to back games, 6-1 in Vancouver and 4-1 at Kamloops, wrapping up a three game western swing where they netted a single point. 




Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Year: The Oil Kings went 4-1-0-1 against the Tigers.  After dropping 14 straight games at the Medicine Hat Arena, the Oil Kings snapped their goose egg with a 6-2 win on January 12.  They have now won back to back games in the Gas City.  The Tigers finished fourth in the Eastern Conference last season.  They swept the Blades in the first round of the playoffs before losing in four straight to the Moose Jaw Warriors.

The Opposition: It is a rebuilding year in Medicine Hat.  They have graduated players like Emerson Etem, Tyler Bunz, James Bettauer, Matt Konan, Cole Grbavac, and Patrik Parkkonen.  They are also without twenty year olds Alex Therieau (offseason hip surgery) and Kale Kessey (suspension/AHL camp).  Undoubtedly their offense will be led by Hunter Shinkaruk, a 49 goal scorer last season who is in his draft year.  They also have newcomer Miles Koules (son of Saw movie maker Oren) to help out offensively. 

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- T.J. Foster (7)

MH- Curtis Valk, Trevor Cox (4)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (10)

MH- Hunter Shinkaruk (8)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (3)

MH- Marek Langhamer (2)

PIMS- EDM- Travis Ewanyk (23) 

MH- Tyler Lewington, Kale Kessey (17)

Next Up: The Kings return home for a single game on Friday night when they face the Hitmen for the third time this year.  The game will be the featured CHL nation wide broadcast on Sportsnet.  Med Hat heads north on a single game trip.  They visit Red Deer on Friday night.     


Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

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).

MH- Alex Theriau- Dallas Stars (4th, 2010), Kale Kessey- Coyotes (4th, 2012), Marek Langhamer- Coyotes (7th, 2012).

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminery Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM), Hunter Shinkaruk (MH)
B Skaters- Mason Geertsen (EDM)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:
#4 Keegan Lowe, lower body, day to day
#7 Stephane Legault, lower body, 4-6 weeks

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

MH: #4 Ty Stanton, upper body, day to day
#19 Jayden Hart, illness, day to day
#23 Alex Theriau, lower body, one month


Roster notes:  Stephane Legault broke a non weight bearing bone in his foot on Sunday in Calgary.  Legault suffered the injury while blocking a shot.  Keegan Lowe is a game time decision. 
 

Notes: Today is the deadline for teams to get down to three twenty year olds on their roster.  The Oil Kings currently have two (Wruck, Foster) the Tigers have four (Theriau, Kessey, Pearce, Ryckman).  Due to Theriau's injury and Kessey being in the AHL, the Tigers will receive an extension on their deadline.  The Saskatoon Blades have acquired Rebels captain Adam Kambeitz for Christian Stockl and a 2014 third round bantam pick.  To make room the Blades have waived twenty year old Connor Cox on waivers.  Tonight is one of five games on the WHL schedule. It is the first of six meetings between the two clubs this season. Pregame at 6:55, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB #6 vs Saskatoon

Oil Kings (5 3-2-0-0) vs Blades (6 2-4-0-0)

The Oil Kings look to snap their two game losing skid tonight against Saskatoon, a team that has also lost back to back games.  The Kings are coming off a pair of 4-1 losses, at the hands of the Hitmen and Raiders.  TJ Foster is the only Oil King that has been able to find the back of the net over the last 120 minutes as well, scoring both Edmonton markers.  It is the first time since January of 2011 that the Oil Kings have dropped two straight home games.
The Blades might be exactly what the Oil Kings need right now, as they are struggling having lost 10-1 last night at the hands of the Swift Current Broncos.  The Blades, the Memorial Cup host team, are off to an uneven start with just a pair of victories both coming after regulation.  Both teams will be looking to get back on track in what should be a physical tilt tonight.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Year: The Oil Kings were 3-1 last year against the Blades.  Their lone loss was earlier in the season in Toon Town.  The Blades were fifth in the East last year posting 40 wins.  The playoffs were a disappointment though, with the Tigers sweeping the Blades in the first round.

The Opposition: The Blades started their preparations for the Memorial Cup during the offseason bringing in Shane McColgan from Kelowna, and twenty year old Brendan Walker from Brandon.  The team has named Walker as their new captain, taking over from Avalanche first round pick Duncan Siemens.  Siemens remains on the team and leads a steady defence core that includes a pair of Montreal picks in Dalton Thrower and Darren Dietz.  In goal is Russian World Junior representative Andrey Makarov.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings



Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Curtis Lazar (4)

SAS- Josh Nicholls (3)

Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (6)

SAS- Nicholls (6)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (2)

SAS- Andrey Makarov (2)

PIMS- EDM- Mason Geertsen (16)

SAS- Jesse Astles (16)

Next Up:  The Kings begin a two game road trip tomorrow afternoon in Calgary, where they look to avenge last week's loss to the Hitmen.  They will also pay a visit to the Medicine Hat Arena on Wednesday.  Saskatoon is making a quick stop in Edmonton between home games.  They hosted Swift last night, and face the Winterhawks on Wednesday.

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

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).

SAS- Josh Nicholls- Toronto Maple Leafs (7th, 2010, unsigned), Duncan Siemens- Colorado Avalanche (1st, 2011), Shane McColgan- Rangers (5th, 2011), Darren Dietz- Montreal Canadiens (5th, 2011), Matej Stransky- Dallas Stars (6th, 2011), Lukas Sutter- Winnipeg Jets (2nd, 2012), Dalton Thrower- Canadiens (2nd, 2012), Andrey Makarov (signed free agent, Buffalo Sabres).

Draft Watch (NHL Central Scouting Preliminery Watch List)

A Skaters- Curtis Lazar (EDM)
B Skaters- Mason Geertsen (EDM)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)

Injury Report:

EDM:

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

SAS:  none

Roster notes: Dyan Wruck returned to the lineup last game for Edmonton.  Keegan Lowe is a gametime decision with a lower body injury.  Blades defenceman Dalton Thrower was a healthy scratch last night.  According to head coach Lorne Molleken in the Saskatoon StarPhoenix it was because Thrower had been “playing by his own rules.” 
 

Notes: Tonight is one of nine games on the WHL schedule. It is the first of four meetings between the two clubs this season. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB #5 vs Prince Albert

Oil Kings (4 3-1-0-0) vs Raiders (4 3-0-0-1)

The Oil Kings finally are back on the ice tonight after a long layoff.  Their last game, Friday at Rexall was a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Calgary Hitmen.  It was the Kings first loss of the season and snapped the team's 14 game regular season winning streak.  TJ Foster tallied the lone goal for Edmonton.  The Raiders are coming off a 5-4 shoot out win over the Red Deer Rebels on Tuesday in PA.  They have lost just once this season as well, on opening night in a shoot out to Saskatoon.                             



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings



Last Year: The Oil Kings were 4-0 last season against the Raiders, and have controlled the all-time season series as well, with a  14-3-1-2 record.  The Kings outscored the Raiders 22-9 in 2011-12.  Prince Albert finished last overall in the WHL last season posting 21 wins and 48 points. 

The Opposition: The Raiders are showing to be a much improved squad so far in the young WHL season.  Mark McNeill, the 2011 first round pick of the Blackhawks, is leading the way with six points in the first four games.  The Raiders have added some depth to their lineup with aquisitions like Dakota Conroy, Leon Draisaitl, Shayne Gwinner and goalie Luke Siemens. 

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings



Leaders:

 

Goals- EDM- Curtis Lazar (4)

PA- Mark McNeill, Dakota Conroy, Logan McVeigh, Antoine Corbin, Anthony Bardaro (2)

 
Points- EDM- Michael St. Croix (6)

PA- McNeill (6)
 
Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (2)

PA- Luke Siemens (3)

 
PIMS- EDM- Mason Geertsen (16)

PA- Josh Morrissey (10)
 
Next Up: The Oil Kings wrap up their three game homestand on Saturday night when the Blades make their first trip to Edmonton.  The Oil Kings will head to Calgary after the game for a Sunday matinee with the Hitmen.  The Raiders open up a four game road trip tonight at Rexall.  They are in Calgary tomorrow and have stops in Kootenay and Lethbridge before heading back to Saskatchewan.
 

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

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).
 
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)
B Skaters- Mason Geertsen (EDM)
C Skaters- Cody Corbett, Edgars Kulda, Ashton Sautner (EDM), Chance Braid (PA)
B Goaltenders- Tristan Jarry (EDM)
 
Injury Report:
 
EDM:
#11 Dylan Wruck, Upper body, day to day

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, indefinite

PA: #7 Zach Hodder, upper body, week-to-week

#15 Mike Winther, lower body, day-to-day
#16 Tim Vanstone, lower body, week-to-week

 
Roster notes: Dyan Wruck is expected to make his season debut for Edmonton.  Cody Corbett makes his return to the Kings lineup after missing last game at the USA Hockey Prospects Game.  Keegan Lowe and Stephen Shmoorkoff are gametime decisions with lower body injuries.  Raiders defenceman Antoine Corbin has survived the first round of cuts in Hamilton where he is a free agent invite to the Bulldogs (AHL) camp.

Notes: Tigers forward Hunter Shinkaruk has been named this week's WHL Player of the Week.  The Oil Kings remain #2 in the CHL Top Ten, they have been ranked second for each ranking period this season.  Tonight is the lone game on the WHL schedule. It is the first of four meetings between the two clubs this season. Pregame at 6:45, puck drop at 7:00 on the Team 1260.

GDB #4 vs Calgary

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.

GDB #3 @ Lethbridge

Oil Kings(2 2-0-0-0) @ Hurricanes(2 1-1-0-0)

The Oil Kings hit the road for the first time this season tonight in Lethbridge.  The Kings are coming off a pair of opening weekend wins, 5-2 over Kootenay and a 6-2 decision over the Rebels.  Meanwhile the Hurricanes split a pair of games with Medicine Hat.  Tonight the Kings will look to run their regular season winning record to 14 straight, going back to the end of last season.    



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Year: The Oil Kings were 5-1 last season against the Hurricanes.  Their only loss was early in the season at the Enmax Centre.  That loss signaled a changing point in the year for Edmonton as they became a more consistent team after that game, ripping off eleven straight victories heading into the Christmas break.

 

The Opposition: The 'Canes continue to be a rebuilding team this year with nine seventeen year olds and three sixteen year olds on their roster.  Last year the club won 29 games, finishing 11th in the WHL's Eastern Conference.  Expect a competitive club that could surprise some teams this year.  Once again they went out and brought in a veteran twenty year old goalie to be the back bone of the team.  Last season it was Damien Ketlo, this year it is former Tri-City American Ty Rimmer.


Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Leaders:

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix, Curtis Lazar (3)

LET- Sam Mckechnie (2)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (4)

LET- Mckechnie (2)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (2)

LET- Ty Rimmer (1)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (9)

LET- Spencer Galbraith (14)

Next Up:  The Oil Kings return home for a three game homestand, opening Friday against the Calgary Hitmen.  They also welcome Prince Albert and Saskatoon.  The Hurricanes hit the road for three games beginning Saturday night in Kootenay.



Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

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).

LET- None

Injury Report:

EDM: #11 Dylan Wruck, Upper body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, TBD

LET: #2 Connor Sutton,upper body, day-to-day

#5 Dan Johnston, upper body, day-to-day

#14 Ryan Pilon, upper body, indefinite

#2 Axel Blomqvist, lower body, day-to-day

Photo: Rogan Dean

Notes: The Hurricanes have reassigned goaltender Tanner Kovacs to Whitecourt of the AJHL. Portland's Nic Petan has been named this week's WHL Player of the Week. The Rebels have acquired 20 year old defenceman Brandon Underwood from the Regina Pats in exchange for a 4th round bantam pick in the 2013 draft. Earlier in the week the Rebels acquired 18 year old Matt Bellerive from Vancouver for a 3rd round pick in 2014.  The Giants have picked up 20 year old Trevor Cheek from Calgary in exchange for 4th and 5th round bantam picks.  Former Oil King defenceman  Ryan Dech has committed to the University of Regina where he will suit up for the Cougars in the CIS.  Tonight is the first of six meetings between the Oil Kings and Hurricanes.  Pregame show at 6:55, puck drop at 7:05 on the Team 1260.

GDB #1 vs Kootenay

Oil Kings (0 0-0-0-0) vs Ice (0 0-0-0-0)

The Oil Kings open up the 2012-2013 season at home tonight against the Kootenay Ice.  The matchup is a rematch of the first round of the playoffs from last spring.  The game features the last two WHL Champions going head to head as well.  Tonight is the first time the two clubs open the season playing each other since the Oil Kings very first game in 2007.  The Kings won in dramatic fashion on JP Szaszkiewicz's last second goal.  

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings 

It will be a special night at Rexall Place as the Kings will celebrate last year's championship one last time, raising another banner to the rafters.  It will be the first league championship banner at Rexall since the 1989-1990 Stanley Cup banner was raised.  With the NHL lockout in full effect, 'The Other Oil in Town' become the Only Oil in Town (for now).

Last Year: The Oil Kings owned the Ice last year winning all six regular season matchups.  They also swept Kootenay in the first round of the playoffs.

The Opposition:  The Ice enter an unfamiliar phase of their franchise history, becoming a young rebuilding club after a very strong run in Cranbrook.  They have made the playoffs for the last 14 years and have been to three Memorial Cups, winning one.  They feature nine 17 year olds, and a pair of 16 year olds on their roster.  Gone are severl veterans, including goaltender Nathan Lieuwen, forwards Max Reinhart, Jesse Ismond, Joe Antilla, Dylen McKinlay and defencemen Luke Paulsen, and John Neibrandt. 

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings 

Leaders: (11-12)

Goals- EDM- Michael St. Croix (45)

KTN- Max Reinhart, Sam Reinhart (28)

Points- EDM- St. Croix (105)

KTN- Max Reinhart (78)

Wins- EDM- Laurent Brossoit (42)

KTN-Nathan Lieuwen (27)

PIMS- EDM- Keegan Lowe (139)

KTN- Jesse Ismond (105)

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).

KTN- Drew Czerwonka- Oilers (6th, 2010, unsigned), Joey Leach- Flames (3rd 2010, unsigned).

Injury Report:

EDM: #11 Dylan Wruck, Upper body, week to week

#28 Martin Gernat, upper body, TBD

KTN: #16 Petr Vesely, lower body, day-to-day 

#19 Drew Czerwonka, upper body, 2-3 weeks 

#18 Jordyn Boyd, upper body, day-to-day

Photo: Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings 

Notes: This is the first of six meetings between the two clubs this year. Pregame show at 6:40, the puck drops at 7:20 on the Team 1260.