Discussions

Edmonton Oil Kings (8-18-4-4, 11th in Eastern Conference)  
 
Top scorers: Brent Raedeke (15+13=28), Tomas Vincour (16+9=25), Mark Pysyk (5+13=18), Michael St. Croix (7+9=16)  
 
Top scoring defenceman: Pysyk (5+13=18)  
 
Probable starting goalie: Torrie Jung gave up 6 of 11 goals against the Warriors last night, Cam Lanigan the other five. I'll guess that they go back to Jung (5-15-2, 0.887 save pct, 3.67 goals against average) tonight.  
 
Manitobans: Devin Balness (Beausejour), Michael St. Croix (Winnipeg), Lane Werbowski (Winnipeg)

 

Brandon Wheat Kings (22-11-0-2, Tie-2nd in Eastern Conference)  
 
Top scorers: Matt Calvert (24+24=48), Jay Fehr (18+26=44), Aaron Lewadniuk (14+26=40), Colby Robak (7+26=33). (Doesn't include Brayden Schenn or Scott Glennie).  
 
Top scoring defenceman: Robak (7+26=33)  
 
Probable starting goalie: Could make a case for either De Serres or Hayes. Since it's my job to guess, I'll say De Serres (9-5-0-1, 3.52 goals against average, 0.888 save pct) gets the call for the second straight night.  
 
 
 
The Wheat Kings mark the halfway point in their schedule tonight against the struggling Edmonton Oil Kings. The Oil Kings come into Brandon after being on the receiving end of one of the worst losses you'll see in junior hockey... an 11-2 drubbing last night in Moose Jaw. That shouldn't be an excuse to take them lightly... very often a team coming off of an effort like that is a different team the day after. That said, if the Wheat Kings can get a couple of early goals look out.  
 
Edmonton has lost ten straight games (three in overtime/shootout). They've been outscored 51-22 over that span including 30-8 over their last five games. Conversely, the Wheat Kings have won nine of their last ten games, outscoring opponents 54-33. That includes 31-16 over the past five games.  
 
Brandon will be playing its first game without Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie. Both are in Saskatchewan at Canada's World Junior team camp.  
 
Keep an eye on Oil King players that you think might fit in with the Wheat Kings. Edmonton is almost sure to be a seller between now and January's trade deadline. Four possible available players include Brent Raedeke (19 year old forward), Tyler Hlookoff (19 year old defenseman), Adrian Van de Mosselaer (19 year old defenceman having down season after decent year in 08-09) and Torrie Jung (20 year old goalie).  
 
Would be great to hear others' thoughts on the matchup pre and post-game.  
 
Lineups and scratches will be posted approx 1/2 hour before game time along with post-game pics.