Today’s Gameday Preview: Sunday January 6th, 2019

Feature game of the day: Lethbridge Hurricanes (20-10-4-4) at Edmonton Oil Kings (21-13-4-3)

Its a Central Division bout between the division leading Oil Kings and the second place Hurricanes. Just a single point separates these two clubs, with the Red Deer Rebels and Medicine Hat Tigers sniffing around just one more point back. This is the tightest division in the Western Hockey League and both teams will want to taste victory.

It is quite likely that these two teams will shoot the lights out at Rogers Place in Edmonton, both teams have potent offensive attacks. Lethbridge is currently scoring goals at a 4.11 per game rate while Edmonton is not far behind at 3.80 per game. Both teams also struggle somewhat in keeping the puck out of the back of their nets as well, Edmonton allows 3.34 goals per game and Lethbridge allows 3.87.

The Hurricanes hope the latest addition to their roster will mitigate some of those goals against. Liam Hughes was brought in from the Seattle Thunderbirds last week and has already won a game and lost one in the shootout. His goals against in those two games is 3.36, a half goal per game improvement for the squad. Edmonton has been doing a little bit of goalie shuffling, they currently have three on their roster.

This game will feature four of the top ten scorers in the WHL. Trey Fix-Wolansky leads the group with 70 points in 39 games. This is good for second in the Western Hockey League. He is followed pretty closely by a trio of Hurricanes, Nick Henry (18-42–60), Jake Leschyshyn (25-27–52) and Dylan Cozens (22-30–52).

Who might we see guarding the net?

Liam Hughes (LET) 11-16-3-1 3.65 GAA .899 sv% 1-0-0-1 since being dealt to the Hurricanes on January 1st.

Dylan Myskiw (EDM) 16-8-2-2, 2.81 GAA, .907 sv% Winner of 5 of his last 7 starts

Quirky stats

Jake Leschyshyn has 13 power play goals for the Hurricanes, Vince Loschiavo leads the Oil Kings with 8

Quinn Benjafield has 3 short handed goals for the Oil Kings, Jake Elmer has 2 for the Hurricanes

Leschyshyn and Henry have 146 shots on net, Try Fix-Wolansky has 164

Other games in the WHL tonight

Seattle Thunderbirds (11-20-4-0) @ Regina Pats (12-26-1-1)

Battle of the teams with 26 points. Neither team is poised to make the playoffs so today’s tilt will showcase players looking to make an impression for 2019-2020.

Brandon Wheat Kings (16-14-3-3) @ Saskatoon Blades (24-12-5-0)

Just the third meeting between these division rivals. Saskatoon won at home and lost in overtime on the road.

Vancouver Giants (23-12-2-0) @ Kootenay Ice (8-26-6-1)

The ICE have not had a regulation win since December 14th, and the Giants have lost four in a row.

Kamloops Blazers (15-18-2-1) @ Everett Silvertips (30-8-1-1)

Everett has not lost on home ice since November 18th, an OT loss to Spokane, the Blazers have not won on the road since November 23rd.