Game Report: Edmonton 5 Moose Jaw 1

1ST PERIOD EDM C. Lazar (6) (K. Lowe) 3:43
M.J B. Point (4)  8:44
EDM M. St. Croix (6) (T. Foster, D. Wruck) 12:12 (PP)
EDM T. Ewanyk (2) (M. Moroz, K. Wilson) 17:16
2ND PERIOD 2. EDM M. St. Croix (7) (D. Wruck, T. Foster) 11:43 (PP)
2. EDM M. St. Croix (8) (T. Foster, H. Samuelsson) 16:23 (PP) 3RD PERIOD NO SCORING Moose Jaw Daniel Wapple 28/33 Justin Paulic 2/2 Edmonton Tristan Jarry 23/24 Moose Jaw 1. Brayden Point C - Brayden Point was the only forward that anything going on tonight. Scored the only Warriors goal with a nice fake and quick shot combo. At this stage, Point is tiny as many defensmen tower over him. But his shiftiness and his apt ability of finding open ice make him very dangerous in the offensive zone. Played center tonight but is likely better off on the wing, attacking from the edges. Point is starting to emerge as the go-to forward on the Warriors at such a young age. 2014 Draft eligible. 2. Morgan Rielly D - Rielly was very quiet tonight as the Oil Kings offensive pressure kept him defending for most of the night. Has a couple of dangerous rushes up the ice from the backend but ended up in weak shots toward the goal. Rielly needs space in order to be effective and the Oil Kings did a great job of crowding the ice around him all night. Had some issues with strength battles along the boards tonight. Edmonton 1. Michael St. Croix RW - Michael St. Croix is the Oil Kings version of Ales Hemsky. When he is on, he looks all world. What seperates him from Hemsky is his ability and his timing in shooting the puck. Had a hat trick tonight, two of his goals on two superb one-time bullets from the high slot. St. Croix now has 99 career WHL goals, one away from being the first modern day Oil King to reach 100 goals. The matchups were right tonight for him to be effective, and he took full advantage. 2. Tristan Jarry G - Jarry wasn't particularly busy tonight but he didn't give up that softy that has been plaguing the Oil Kings through a recent losing streak. He stood tall in the third period as the Warriors outshot the Oil Kings 14-2 but Jarry didn't give them a sniff and kept the game 5-1. I'd expect Jarry to get a few more games as Laurent Brossoit has run hot and cold this season as the Oil Kings starting goaltender. Jarry has the athleticism to carry the ball, all he needs is an opportunity. I have little doubt he will become the Oil Kings starting goaltender in the near future, could be as soon as this year.

Game Report: Kamloops 5 Edmonton 4 (SO)

1ST PERIOD KAM J. Lipon (10) (T. Bozon, B. Gaudet) 6:03
EDM T. Foster (9) (D. Wruck, L. Brossoit) 15:36 (PP)
KAM B. Ranford (5) (C. Smith, J. Lipon) 19:54 (PP)
2ND PERIOD 2. EDM D. Wruck (3) (T. Foster, G. Reinhart) 10:41
3RD PERIOD 3. KAM R. Trzonkowski (2) (M. Needham, C. Ully), 9:09
3. EDM M. Moroz (1) (K. Lowe, E. Kulda) 13:24 (PP)
3. EDM H. Samuelsson (6) (C. Lazar, D. Wruck) 18:01 (PP)
3. KAM J. Lipon (11) (C. Smith, T. Hansen) 18:36 (SH) OVERTIME No Scoring Shootout Kamloops Goals - Ranford, Smith Edmonton Goals - None Kamloops Cole Cheveldave 34/38 Edmonton Laurent Brossoit 16/20 Kamloops 1. J.C. Lipon RW - Lipon did everything but sell the popcorn tonight. 2 goals, an assist and 17 minutes in penalties. Lipon as really emerged as the go-to player on Kamloops early on this season. Scored a big goal to tie the game late, shorthanded no less on a broken play and some sloppy work from the Oil Kings. Does very well in navigating through traffic and finding open seems. Plays a bit of a greasy game as well. Between Lipon, Bozon and Needham, Kamloops is stocked in the agitator department. Greasy skill is the best way I can describe Lipon. 2. Cole Cheveldave G - Cheveldave was great again tonight. Gave up 4 but really kept his team in it as his team was getting blitzed by the Oil Kings. A lot of it due to penalty trouble. Cheveldave didn't have much of a chance on any of the goals, but kept battling right til the end, until his team walked away with 2 points. Like I said before, if Hockey Canada was looking for one goaltender from the WHL for the World Junior team, I would nominate Chevaldave as that goaltender. Edmonton 1. Dylan Wruck LW - Wruck really brought it tonight, he's a bulldog in a chihuahua body. His gutsy style despite his small frame makes him a fan favorite among Oil Kings observers. Fearless on the ice, but its likely the reason why injuries have plagued him. Wruck chipped with a goal and two assists tonight. His goal was an aboslute dandy as he outwaited the Blazers' defenders and slipped a shot by Cheveldave. Wruck's straight ahead no nonsense style is infectious throughout his team. 2. Keegan Lowe D - Lowe played his usual pain in the backside type game. He has really worked on his puck movement and offensive game to where the other team has to respect it. Lowe is one of the relied upon leaders of the Oil Kings and isn't shy about applying himself in physical play. Lowe continues to be a work at progress but he has come a long way in his time with the Oil Kings and continues to improve on a game to game basis.

Game Report: Calgary 5 Edmonton 4 (SO)

1ST PERIOD CAL B. Macek (4) (Z. Jones, B. Brassart) 3:02
CAL C. Samoridny (2) (K. Helgesen, D. Henry) 8:41
EDM C. Lazar (5) (M. St. Croix, D. Wruck) 15:04 (PP)
2ND PERIOD EDM T. Foster (8) (H. Samuelsson, M. St. Croix) 7:46 (PP)
CAL B. Macek (5) (B. Brassart) 8:03
EDM H. Samuelsson (4) (C. Lazar, C. Corbett), 11:18
EDM H. Samuelsson (5) (D. Wruck, M. St. Croix), 12:39 (PP)
CAL P. Kosterman (1) ( P. Padakin, S.Humphries) 14:40 3RD PERIOD No Scoring OVERTIME No Scoring SHOOTOUT Calgary Goals Sylvester, Chase Edmonton Goals Samuelsson Calgary Chris Driedger 32/36 Edmonton Laurent Brossoit 21/25 Calgary 1. Brooks Macek RW - Had one of those games where everything he threw at the net went into the net. Scored twice for the Hitmen and is one of a handful of Hitmen that play a greasy style that helps his team wins games. The style has been very effective for them early this season. Macek has decent hands around the net but his calling card is his agitation and his ability to get under the skin of opposing players. 2. Peter Kosterman D - Scored on a seeing eye shot from the point that tied the game at 4. Was a team high +4 on the night. Kosterman plays a low maintenence game. Reliable and sfae player that doesn't bring a lot of offense, but keeps his own end of the ice fairly clean. The Hitmen defense in general is like that. Defensively stout but not a lot of mobility or offensive acumen. Edmonton 1. Henrik Samuelsson RW - Samuelsson was fantastic again tonight. Scored twice and tallied again in the shootout. Samuelsson continues to be the johnny on the spot goal scorer the Oil Kings need him to be. Samuelsson is an excellent complementary piece to what the Oil Kings have going on. Does a lot of the board work and battling in front of the net. Does a lot of the mule work. But has a degree of skill that allows him to put up the numbers. His nickname should be "Mini Mule". 2. Mason Geertsen D - Geertsen is slowly becoming a physical presence on the Oil Kings back end. Still a bit raw on his decision making but word is getting out about his toughness and how he is a nasty piece of business to play against. Geertsen will need to mature physically in order to play the style he does, still a little gangly. But all in all, he has a career as being a tough, hard nosed Dman if thats the route he wishes to embrace.

Game Report Edmonton 4 Medicine Hat 2

1ST PERIOD 1. EDM B. Pollock (1) (C. Benson, B. Baddock) 8:48
1. EDM H. Samuelsson (3)  12:38 (SH)
1. EDM D. Wruck (2) (M. Geertsen, M. St. Croix), 14:57
2ND PERIOD 2. EDM G. Reinhart (1) (C. Corbett, C. Benson), 7:59 (PP)
2. M.H M. Koules (4) (H. Shinkaruk, D. Busenius) 9:36 (PP)
2. M.H E. Pearce (1) (T. Cox, C. Valk) 11:56 3RD PERIOD NO SCORING Edmonton Laurnet Brossoit 34/36 Medicine Hat Marek Langhamer 17/21 Edmonton 1. Henrik Samuelsson RW - Samuelsson had a strong game tonight, being his usual bullish self and going to the hard areas all night. Samuelsson scored a wonderful shorthanded goal by stripping the trailing defensemen and walking in all alone, going forehand, backhand, roof for the 2nd goal of the game. Samuelsson continues to be a big part of the Oil Kings as he is the muscle that combines that with flashes of skill. 2. Laurent Brossoit G - Best game I have seen Brossoit this season. Oil Kings were short 2 men 4 time tonight and got away unscathed all 4 times. Brossoit was reading the play with precision all night. Making great side to side reads and reacting quickly. Brossoit really bailed the Oil Kings out of this one as the defense had a rough 2nd period where Brossoit was called upon often to make big save after big save. Oil Kings played a better 3rd period and the play settled down for them. Medicine Hat 1. Miles Koules RW - Koules is the player that is left to pick up a lot of the pieces left by the departed Emerson Etem and his 61 goals tallied last season. While its impossible for anyone player to pick up those pieces, Koules will be expected to pick up a large part of that. Koules tallied again tonight, giving him 4 on the year. Koules plays a game very similar to Tigers star player, Hunter Shinkaruk, but you can tell he has a little less experience at the WHL level. Koules is an excellent distributor with the puck that will get better with time as he gains more experience. Koules will help Shinkaruk out with the goal totals, but who will help them out with the muscle remains to be seen. 2. Dylan Busenius D - Not to be disrespectful but Dylan Busenius was the best of a bad lot tonight and defense looks to be a sore spot for the Tigers going forward. Busenius did well reading the play and distributing the puck on the power play. Loves to shoot the puck but had a hard time getting his shots through tonight. Tigers' defense has no real identity. Lacks mobility and toughness. It will be interesting to see if the Tigers address this issue during the season as the forwards seem to be set for the most part.

Game Report: Kamloops 7 Seattle 2

1ST PERIOD

KAM C. Smith (3) (J. Lipon, B. Ranford) 12:51 (PP) KAM D. Willick (2) (J. DePape, T. Bozon) 15:04 2ND PERIOD SEA C. Honey (1) (S. Theodore) 7:42 (PP) 3RD PERIOD SEA C. Honey (2) (J. Forsberg, J. Smith) 0:39 KAM J. DePape (1) (B. Ranford, D. Willick) 4:28 KAM D. Willick, (3) (B. Ranford, J. Lipon) 7:22 KAM J. Lipon (1) (T. Bozon, B. Ranford) 12:46 (PP) KAM B. Ranford (2) , 14:48 (SH) KAM T. Bozon (4) (J. Lipon, M. Hrbas) 16:02 Seattle Brandon Glover 28/35 Kamloops Cole Cheveldave 22/24 Seattle 1. Connor Honey RW - Honey caught my eye early and often tonight. Most dangerous forward for Seattle. Isn't the swiftest skater but has deceptive speed that allows him to get an angle on defensemen. Scored twice tonight and showed off a nice wrist shot from the high slot as he was fading away. Has the look of a very raw power forward going forward. 2. Shea Theodore D - One word to describe Theodore's game smooth. Very fluent with the puck and very dangerous on the rush from the backend. Reminds me a lot of Derrick Pouliot from Portland. Outstanding with the puck, a work in progress without it. I'm not a fan of these types of defenders as shown by my rankings but there is room for growth in Theodore's game. He will be an intriguing prospect going forward and one I will be tracking closely. Kamloops 1. Dylan Willick RW - Kamloops is blessed with a lot of offensive talent. Colin Smith, Brendan Ranford and Tim Bozon to name a few. Willick is the lunchpail type to counterbalance that and therefore is a good fit with this club. Had a couple of goals and an assist tonight but his contribution is made mostly on the boards and on the forecheck. Kamloops is a club that can beat you many ways. 2. Cole Cheveldave G - Cheveldave didn't have a lot of work only facing 24 shots, but he was his usual solid self. Cheveldave is a positional goaltender that keep rebounds to a minimum. Solid and reliable are his styles, he will stop the first one for you. Cheveldave has gotten off to a strong start this season, so much so that an invite to the Team Canada World Junior Tryout could be in his future.

Game Report: Prince Albert 4 Edmonton 1

1ST PERIOD
P.A L. McVeigh (3) (D. Conroy, A. Bardaro) 9:23   2ND PERIOD P.A C. Perreaux, (1) (S. Danyluk, R. Gardiner) 10:29   3RD PERIOD EDM T. Ewanyk (1) (T. Foster, C. Lazar) 5:16 (PP) P.A M. McNeill (3) (L. Draisaitl) 8:04   P.A J. Morrissey (1) , 18:51 (EN)
Prince Albert Luke Siemens 33/34 Edmonton Tristan Jarry 17/20 Prince Albert 1. Logan McVeigh C- Looks much improved in practically every facet of the game. He's gotten bigger, his stride looks a lot smoother and looks to play much more confident, reliable game. McVeigh got Prince Albert on the board with a sneaky quick wrist shot while driving the slot. McVeigh gives Prince Albert some depth they sorely lacked throughout last season. 2. Luke Siemens G  - Siemens is the 2nd goaltender in as many games to stonewall the Oil Kings. Strong game from Siemens as he faced many tough one on one shots, especially early in the game. Siemens had some issues with rebound control but stayed very square to shooter most of the night. Siemens wasn't going to allow the first shot to beat him tonight. Solid offseason pickup for the Raiders. Edmonton 1. Curtis Lazar C - Best Oil Kings player on the night even though he only has an assist to show for it. Lazar had a strong individual game, driving the net on many occasions, including one rush that ended up in a goal that was waved off due to a premature whistle. Lazar remains on target to become a Top 10 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. 2. Mason Geertsen D - Geertsen made more of a physical impact tonight. Taking the body every chance he got. It's a style that Geertsen will have to continue to play in order to get noticed from scouts. Geertsen skates well for a big man. His agility allows him to catch up to speedy wingers and make them pay the price. Geertsen will never be known as a point producer, but his big and nasty style should draw him some ire from opposing players.