Feature Game of the Night: Edmonton Oil Kings @ Saskatoon Blades 7 PM CST
In a handful of games in the Western Hockey League, this Eastern Conference contest should be especially an entertaining one.
In their third meeting of the season, the Edmonton Oil Kings (16-11-3-2) will face the Saskatoon Blades (19-10-3-0), the first time this season the clubs have met in Saskatoon. Both previous meetings were in Edmonton, one in early October saw the Blades beat the Oil Kings 5-3, then later in October the Blades fell to the Oil royalty by a 5-2 score.
The Edmonton Oil Kings have had a tough last ten games, going 3-4-2-1 over that span. Edmonton has had some success lately though, they have now won back to back games. The Oil Kings have been led by captain Trey Fix-Wolansky this season who has 62 points in 32 games so far and is on track to surpass the 100 point mark. Wolansky, a seventh round draft pick of Columbus was just recently snubbed of an invite to Team Canada’s World Junior Camp, but has seemed to have put it behind him as he notched the EOK game winner in OT over the Kamloops Blazers on Saturday Night in their annual Teddy Bear Toss Game. The Oil Kings are slotted in second in the Central Division with 37 points and Lethbridge one point back with two games in hand.
The Saskatoon Blades are looking mighty fine these days, coming off a win against the CHL’s top ranked Prince Albert Raiders on Sunday in Saskatoon. The Blades have won three of their last four, and have won back to back games. As mentioned, the Blades knocked off the Raiders last Sunday which proved to be a defensive battle, Tristen Robins was the only one to find the twine in a 1-0 win. Monday morning, the Blades also announced a deal sending Jake Kustra and a 7th round draft pick in 2019 to Victoria in exchange for a 4th round draft pick in 2019. The 34th overall draft choice had just one assist in ten games this season, thanks to an injury in October and had not played since.
Fanshaw’s Fast Facts:
- Nolan Maier (SAS) stopped 32 of 32 last game, shutting out the Raiders for his second shutout of the season, fourth of his career.
- Nolan Kneen (SAS) has points in four of his last five games
- Quinn Benjafield (EDM) only has two points in his last five games
- Both clubs have won back to back games coming in
Leading Scorers:
Trey FIx-Wolansky- EDM- (21G, 41A) Has points in eight straight games
Kirby Dach- SAS- (14G, 28A) Has only had one point over his last five games, held pointless in his last two games
Who’s Likely Starting?
Dylan Miskiw- EDM- (3.045 GAA, .900 SV%) Put up a .920 SV% in his last start vs. KAM
Nolan Meier- SAS- (2.702 GAA, .912 SV%) 5th place in the WHL for goaltender wins with 14 so far.
Other Action in the WHL:
Kelowna Rockets (14-15-2-0) @ Kootenay Ice (7-20-5-1)
- Kelowna is in second place in the BC Division with 30 points, three ahead of VIC after winning three of their last four games
Kamloops Blazers (12-12-2-1) @ Red Deer Rebels (19-9-2-0)
- First meeting of the season, last season the Blazers took both games in the season series.
Prince George Cougars (11-16-1-2) @ Seattle Thunderbirds (10-14-3-0)
- Prince George leads the season series 2-0 after beating the ‘Birds 2-0, and 4-1 in PG in early November
Portland Winterhawks (18-10-0-2) @ Victoria Royals (13-12-1-0)
- Portland on a four game win streak, have won both meetings vs. VIC this season.
