Overview:
The Edmonton Oil Kings have gone four consecutive games without a regulation loss and are 7-1-2-0 in their last 10 games. The Oil Kings hold a five point lead on the Moose Jaw Warriors for first place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Who’s Up Front:
The Edmonton Oil Kings got a ton of offense from the usual suspects last night. Michael St. Croix led the way with two goals and a helper for Edmonton. St. Croix now has 87 points this season and sits tied for second in league scoring trailing both Ty Rattie and Mark Stone by one point.
Who’s on D:
One of the more impressive defenceman last night for Edmonton was 18-year-old defenceman Martin Gernat. Gernat was among only two Edmonton defenders who were ‘plus players’ last night. Gernat earned one assist and now has 41 points this season through 43 games.
Who’s in Goal:
The Oil Kings have received stellar goaltending this season from 18-year-old Laurent Brossoit. Brossoit has a 31-10-2-3 record with two shutouts. He has a goals against average of 2.48 and a save percentage of .913. His backup Tristan Jarry got the call last night, and I’d expect Brossoit to be back between the pipes tonight for Edmonton.
X-Factor:
The Edmonton power play did some damage in the early stages of the third period last night. The Oil Kings went two-for-six overall on the power play, and showed how truly dangerous they are when they are given the opportunity with the extra attacker.
Overview:
The Prince George Cougars are coming into tonight’s game with a record of 17-34-0-2. They are 2-8-0-0 in their last 10 games and are four points back of both Seattle and Victoria in the race for the eighth playoff spot. The Cougars hold three games in hand on Victoria and one on the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Who’s Up Front:
What a night for Cougars forward Daulton Siwak. The 18-year-old from Olds, Alberta scored twice and added an assist for the Cougars and he is now just two goals shy of tying the team lead. Siwak and his linemates Alex Forsberg and Troy Bourke were lethal last night for the Cougars, and will need to do some more damage tonight if they hope for a sweep against Edmonton.
Who’s on D:
Defensively the Cougars were led last night by their captain Jesse Forsberg. From the drop of the puck, Forsberg was ready. He was physical, patient, and confident and let his play do the talking. He didn’t register anything on the score sheet, but he was a constant thorn in the side of the Oil Kings, and he logged a ton of key minutes during the penalty kill.
Who’s in Goal:
After missing both games last weekend with a lower body injury, Drew Owsley returned to the lineup and was brilliant making 48 saves on 52 shots faced. Owsley has shown time and time again this season that when the Cougars supply him with enough offense that he can be a true difference maker. A similar effort from Owsley tonight and the Cougars could be looking at a sweep of one of the league’s top teams.
X-Factor:
The Prince George Cougars have already earned a split with Edmonton this weekend. Through the eyes of many, this weekend is already a success. However the Cougars are still in need of points, and they will be the first to tell you that this weekend is far from over. The task at hand tonight is another two points, and nobody inside that locker room can afford to rest on their laurels and their accomplishments from last night. The main x-factor tonight for the Cougars centers around team discipline and team defense. If the Cougars can once again play to their strengths and keep the Oil Kings in check, they could very well end the weekend trailing a playoff spot by only two points.
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