7 WHL games highlight Wednesday’s schedule
ICE WELCOME OIL KINGS – Max Reinhart and the Kootenay Ice (4-1-0-2) host Michael St. Croix and the Edmonton Oil Kings (5-2-1-1) for a Central Division battle in Western Hockey League action on Wednesday night.
The Ice are coming off a 2-1 victory over the Rebels in Red Deer on Saturday night, snapping a two-game losing skid, and currently sit two points back of the Oil Kings for a share of first place in the division. The Ice have won all three of their home games this season. Kootenay has given up just 13 goals through their first seven games.
The Oil Kings skated to a 5-1 victory over the Hurricanes in Lethbridge on Tuesday night for their second straight triumph, and have won three of four games on their current five-game road trip. Edmonton’s power play is operating at 21.6% efficiency so far this season. St. Croix notched a goal and an assist in Tuesday’s victory in Lethbridge.
It’s the second meeting of the season between the Ice and Oil Kings. The Oil Kings edged the Ice 2-1 in a shootout in Edmonton on October 5th in the first encounter.
Elsewhere on Wednesday night, Brady Brassart and the Calgary Hitmen (1-3-0-0) welcome Jordan Weal and the Regina Pats (5-2-0-0).
The Hitmen dropped a 4-2 decision to the visiting Red Deer Rebels on Friday night for their third defeat through their first four games. The Hitmen released veteran goaltender Mike Snider on Tuesday, leaving 19-year-old Brandon Glover and 17-year-old Chris Driedger as the goaltending tandem for the season.
The Pats are coming off a 2-0 shutout loss to the visiting Prince George Cougars on Saturday night, snapping a two-game winning streak. The Pats are 3-1 on the road to start the season.
In Kelowna, B.C., Cody Chikie and the Kelowna Rockets (3-2-0-0) host Emerson Etem and the Medicine Hat Tigers (5-3-0-0) on Wednesday.
The Rockets are coming off Saturday’s 5-1 loss in Spokane that followed a 5-2 defeat in Kennewick, WA, to the Tri-City Americans on Friday. Kelowna won both of their first two games on home ice this season.
The Tigers are coming off Monday’s 5-4 victory in Kamloops over the Blazers for their second straight victory by a 5-4 score line. Etem was named the WHL Player of the Week after scoring six goals and seven points in three games, and has found the net in all seven games he’s played this season.
In Red Deer, AB, Matt Dumba and the Red Deer Rebels (3-3-0-0) welcome Cam Braes and the Lethbridge Hurricanes (2-5-0-1) for a Central Division match-up on Wednesday.
The Rebels are coming off a 2-1 loss to the visiting Kootenay Ice on Saturday night for their third setback over their last four games. The Rebels’ power play has accounted for seven of the team’s 16 goals this season.
The Hurricanes suffered a 5-1 loss to the Oil Kings in Edmonton on Tuesday night for their fifth consecutive setback. Braes scored the ‘Canes’ only goal in Tuesday night’s defeat, giving him four goals on the season.
In Spokane, WA, Anthony Bardaro and the Spokane Chiefs (2-2-0-1) take on Michael Ferland and the Brandon Wheat Kings (4-1-0-1) on Wednesday night.
The Chiefs defeated the visiting Kelowna Rockets 5-1 on Saturday night, putting a stop to a two-game losing skid. Bardaro scored twice and set up two more in Saturday’s victory over the Rockets, and now has seven goals and 10 points through his first five games.
The Wheat Kings are coming off Friday night’s 6-3 victory over the visiting Prince George Cougars, improving them to 3-0-0-1 over their past four outings. Ferland scored three goals and four points in Friday’s win, and now has seven goals and 10 points over his past four outings.
In Swift Current, SK, Coda Gordon and the Swift Current Broncos (2-4-1-0) welcome Jordan Tkatch and the Prince George Cougars (3-4-0-1) on Wednesday evening.
The Broncos are coming off a 4-1 loss to the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday, dropping them to 1-2-1 on home ice this season. Gordon sits second on the Broncos in scoring with four goals and 10 points this season.
The Cougars suffered a 6-0 shutout loss in Moose Jaw to the Warriors on Monday, dropping them to 2-3 through the first five games of their six-game East Division tour. The Cougars have given up just two power play goals through their first six road games.
In Kennewick, WA, Adam Hughesman and the Tri-City Americans (5-2-0-0) host Mark McNeill and the Prince Albert Raiders (3-5-0-1) on Wednesday night.
The Americans cruised to a 4-0 shutout victory over the Winterhawks in Portland on Sunday for their second win in a row. The Americans are a perfect 3-0 on home ice so far this season.
The Raiders edged the Silvertips 3-2 in Everett on Tuesday night, improving them to 2-1 through three games of their current seven-game western road trip. McNeill leads the Raiders in scoring with 12 points this season.
