Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings

Brandon continue winning efforts with 3-1 win in Edmonton

The Brandon Wheat Kings (17-7-0-1) made their way to central Alberta to face the struggling Edmonton Oil Kings (5-18-2-0). Brandon had won seven of their past eight going into Edmonton while the Oil Kings have gone the opposite direction, losing eleven straight games and currently sit last in the league. Travis Child once again got the start for Edmonton while Dylan Myskiw got the nod for Brandon.

 

Brandon opened the scoring in the first with Connor Gutenberg’s eighth goal of the season on a strong net drive by the defender to open up room for himself, received a back door feed from Evan Weinger and put it over the pad of Child. After the first 20 minutes of play, the Oil Kings played strong 5-on-5 but Brandon found ways to generate more scoring chances on the rush and took the lead late in the frame. Shots after the first were 12-7 for Edmonton.

(photo-Andy Devlin)

Edmonton came out strong in the second, generated a lot of shots on goals and found themselves on the power play a couple times. The game definitely picked up in pace and Edmonton definitely showed some push back, both with grit and offense. Unfortunately for the Oil Kings, Brandon struck twice in the frame. 5:20 into the second, Weinger sprung a 2-on-1 with Gutenberg and elected to shoot. The initial shot was saved but the puck then took an unlucky bounce off Matthew Robertson’s leg and past Child.  Brandon continued to find ways to score-a power play goal on a point shot that got through a crowd of traffic from Kale Clague less than a couple minutes after Weinger’s goal increased the deficit to three for Edmonton. Despite leading in shots 26-16 after 40. Edmonton was in another hole.

 

Edmonton finally found their way onto the scoreboard with 31.5 seconds left in the third, Davis Koch made a slick play in the slot and got a quick deceptive release off that shuts down Dylan Myskiw’s shutout bid. Edmonton’s David Kope also had a penalty shot around the midway point of the frame but couldn’t slide the puck past Myskiw. Brandon looked strong in the third as they really kept pucks in the offensive zone and controlled Edmonton in the neutral zone. Edmonton showed frustration, game got a bit grittier and few more scrums after the whistles. Final shots were 33-23 for Edmonton.

 

Game Notes:

-Edmonton Oil Kings 16-year-old Matthew Robertson has taken massive leaps this year. It was rare to not see his number on the ice as he played heavy minutes in the second and third. Edmonton utilizes him in all aspects of the game and he has really found ways to thrive in these losing games.

 

-Brandon’s 2017 1st round draft pick Ridly Greig was called up as an affiliate and finished the game on a line with Baron Thompson and Cole Reinhardt. He definitely can keep up with the pace at the WHL level and his strong skating abilities made him look right in place at the higher level.

 

-David Kope has continued to improve his game and has recently been awarded a promotion to the top line with Davis Koch and Trey Fix-Wolansky. Kope is a rangy 6-foot-5 winger who possesses high end skill and ability to control the puck at a composed pace under pressure. I have really been impressed with how he has been able to carry his strong training camp over to the WHL level and he has by far been one of the better stories for Edmonton so far this season.

 

-Edmonton has really struggled with their special teams this season and was given five power play opportunities and only being able to capitalize on a late game power play. They have shown some good possession in the offensive zone and puck movement up high but have struggled to produce on the power play. Tomas Soustal and Trey Fix-Wolansky have been their most effective power play guy’s so far this season.

 

Draft Spotlight:

-Connor Gutenberg has really improved his game since I had last seen him play. He has a high work ethic that really makes up for him being only 5-foot-9. I was really impressed with his ability to out battle guys when driving lanes, how he was able to be aggressive on the puck and apply pressure to the puck carrier, and how he has continued to improved his defensive game by being more detail orientated and aware in his own zone. His deceptive vision with the puck really opens up the ice for his team mates, he is able to distribute the puck to anybody in the offensive zone. He was able to process the game at a high speed and play a strong East-West style of game that game the Oil Kings struggles when defending him on the rush.