Wednesday, November 7, 2012

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.