Today’s DUBNetwork game of the day is an afternoon tilt between Central Division powerhouses the Edmonton Oil Kings (15-6-4-2) and the Calgary Hitmen (14-6-2-1). The front runners for the Central Division crown are packed in tight, with first through fourth separated by just seven points.
The Oil Kings hold the points advantage over the Hitmen due to playing in more games, but the Hitmen have a slightly better point percentage. Five points separate the teams in the standings but Edmonton has played four more games.
Edmonton is playing their worst stretch of hockey this season, having just three wins over their last 11 games. Two of those wins came during the team’s recent five-game road swing through the BC Division.
Goaltending has been suspect for the Oil Kings as of late, starting netminder Todd Scott has allowed four or more goals over his last four games and in 10 of his 15 starts. The 19-year-old has a 7-4-4-1 record this season and has allowed an average of 3.32 goals per game. His .887 save percentage is 40th in the WHL this season.
On the flip side, the Hitmen counter with second-year goalie Jack McNaughton. He has a 9-2-0-1 record, a 3.01 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage.
Both teams are gifted offensively. Edmonton scores 3.41 goals per game and Calgary 3.70.
Riley Sawchuk is in the top-10 in points in the WHL with his 12 goals and 21 assists. He is seven points off the league lead. Rounding out the top-15 is 17-year-old Jake Neighbours. The draft-eligible prospect has 29 points in 27 games (6G,23A).
Ottawa Senators signed prospect Mark Kastelic leads the way for the Hitmen. He has played in just 19 games for the Hitmen but has collected 16 goals and nine assists. Also with 25 assists is defenseman Egor Zamula. He has six goals from the point to go with 19 assists.
From the back end for Edmonton, Matthew Robertson leads the Oil Kings defensemen in points with 14. Wyatt McLeod is not far behind, he has 13 assists in the 2019-2020 season.
This is the fifth game between these two teams this season. Edmonton holds the edge with points in all four prior matches (3-0-1-0). Calgary has just two points, their win came on September 27th, in a game that required overtime.
Carson Focht has seven points (4G,3A) in the season series to lead the Hitmen, Neighbours has two goals and six assists against the Hitmen in the four games the teams have played.
Edmonton is 7-3-0-1 on Rogers Place ice this season and Calgary is 7-2-2-0 away from the confines of the Saddledome.
In other WHL Action:
Prince Albert Raiders (17-5-3-1) @ Swift Current Broncos (6-14-1-2)
Isaac Poulter has faced 660 shots this season, 3rd most in the WHL, despite playing about three fewer games than the leader. He has a .918 save percentage. Boston Bilous has the second-most wins in the WHL with 15. Prince Albert won last night 4-1 over the Broncos.
Brandon Wheat Kings (12-14-1-0) @ Winnipeg ICE (13-11-1-0)
Another game in the provincial rivalry, Brandon took last night’s matchup 7-4. Two points separate the two teams, Brandon has played two more games than Winnipeg this season. Cole Reinhardt leads the Wheat Kings with 16 goals and nine assists. Michal Teply leads Winnipeg with 10 goals and 13 assists.
Regina Pats (5-16-0-2) @ Red Deer Rebels (7-14-0-3)
The third of four games between these two struggling teams. Both prior games required extra time, the Pats won in a shootout in Red Deer and the Rebels needed overtime to pull out a win in Regina. Austin Pratt has 20 points to lead both teams. Red Deer’s leading scorer, Brett Davis, has 15 points.
Saskatoon Blades (14-12-1-1) @ Medicine Hat Tigers (17-7-1-0)
The Blades are coming off a second straight victory, prior to that the team had lost four straight. Medicine Hat has been one of the top teams in the WHL this season and has won its last three games. On October 15th, the Tigers took a 3-1 victory at home against the Blades.
Portland Winterhawks (16-5-1-2) @ Kamloops Blazers (16-9-0-1)
These teams went to a shootout in a surprisingly low scoring game. Both Dylan Garand and Joel Hofer were solid in net for their teams. Portland holds a slight edge in the season series, winning twice and losing once. Kamloops has suffered a regulation and a shootout loss to Portland as well as picking up a win in the Rose City.
Seattle Thunderbirds (7-13-2-1) @ Everett Silvertips (17-5-1-0)
It’s a worst versus first game in the US Division as the Silvertips look to hold off the surging Winterhawks for the division lead. Everett is currently the best team in the Western Hockey League but there are several teams at their heels. Seattle, on the other hand, has struggled in this rebuilding season, winning just two of their last 10 games. Everett is among the stingiest teams in the league allowing just 52 goals in their 23 games.
Prince George Cougars (6-16-0-2) @ Kelowna Rockets (13-8-1-2)
Here come the Memorial Cup hosts! Kelowna has been playing their best hockey of the season over the last five games (4-0-0-1), their only loss coming to the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings. This despite missing Kyle Topping (injured) and Pavel Novak (suspended). The Cougars are also playing well of late, winners of two straight, both coming against the division-leading Blazers.
Victoria Royals (13-8-1-0) @ Spokane Chiefs (12-9-3-0)
The Royals have played the least games in the WHL at 22. They occupy the first wild card spot but are not far behind the Vancouver Giants and Kelowna Rockets for second in the BC Division. The Spokane Chiefs are in third in the US Division but are eight points behind the leaders. Quietly the Royals are putting together a good season, Shane Farkas has been as good as expected this season for the team.
Vancouver Giants (13-10-1-1) @Tri-City Americans (11-10-2-1)
Beck Warm has faced the most rubber in the WHL, 719 shots against in 20 games for the 20-year-old back stopper. Vancouver continues to roll a goaltending tandem, David Tendeck and Trent Miner have each been involved in 13 games. The Giants took the only other meeting this season 6-3 on November 2nd.
