PREVIEW: Oil Kings @ Kamloops Blazers 01.03.24

EDMONTON OIL KINGS (12-20-1-1) @ KAMLOOPS BLAZERS (9-22-3-2) – JANUARY 3, 2024 – SANDMAN CENTRE – 8:00 PM

 Game Notes – Follow along on X  – Live Box Score – Listen on iHeartRadio Canada

 

 

 

 

 

2023-24 Schedule vs. Kamloops Blazers

Wednesday, Jan 3 @ Kamloops

 

 

 

 

2022-23 vs. Kamloops: 0-1-0-0 Home: 0-1-0-0 Away: 0-0-0-0 PP: 2/4 (50.0%) PK: 1/3 (66.7%)

All-Time vs. Kamloops: 11-13-2-1 Home: 5-7-1-1 Away: 6-6-1-0 PP: 22/109 (20.2%) PK: 20/120 (83.3%)

 

Matchup Notes

Tonight marks the first and only meeting of the season between the Oil Kings and Blazers.

Last season, the Blazers defeated the Oil Kings 7-3 on February 20, 2023 (Family Day) getting goals from Dylan Sydor(2), Caeden Bankier, Daylan Kuefler(2), Olen Zellweger and Matthew Seminoff. Noah Boyko had a pair of power play goals for Edmonton, while Rilen Kovacevic scored at even strength. Kolby Hay was kept busy in the Edmonton crease stopping 53 of 60 Kamloops shots, while Matthew Kieper made 16 saves in the win.

The Oil Kings last visit to the Sandman Centre was November 27, 2019 (1,498 days ago). The Blazers picked up a 5-3 win on that night thanks to third period goals from Brodi Stuart and Logan Stankoven. Ethan McIndoe, Jake Neighbours and David Kope had Edmonton out to a 3-1 lead in the game before four unanswered from the Blazers would prove to be the difference. Sebastian Cossa and Dylan Garand went head-to-head in that game in the goaltending battle, both of whom would claim a World Junior gold medal with Team Canada at the summer edition of the 2022 World Junior Championships in Edmonton.

Coming In

The Oil Kings come in riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1-0) after a thrilling 6-5 win on New Year’s Day in Everett on Monday afternoon.

Ty Nash scored the game-winning goal with just 6.7 seconds left on the clock after former Silvertip Roan Woodward Tied the game with under seven minutes remaining in regulation. In what was a very back-and-forth affair, the Oil Kings got contributions up and down their lineup as Gavin Hodnett, Marc Lajoie, Cole Miller and Parker Alcos (first career WHL goal) all found the back of the net. Skyler Bruce chipped in with three assists and Kolby Hay made 38 saves for the win.

The Blazers come in having dropped their last two games after picking up consecutive wins over the Moose Jaw Warriors and Kelowna Rockets to enter and come out of their holiday break. At 9-22-3-2, the Blazers sit in last place in the WHL.

EOK Notables

Oil Kings defenceman Marc Lajoie sits 11^th in defenceman points (28), second in defenceman goals (12) and first in defenceman PP goals (8) in the WHL.

With his eight power play goals, Lajoie ranks 2^nd all-time amongst Oil Kings defencemen for PP goals in a single season, tied with Conner McDonald  (8, 2018-19) and trails only Simon Kubicek (9, 2021-22).

Adam Jecho ranks 10^th in WHL rookie scoring with 20 points (9G, 11A) in just 22 games.

Skyler Bruce has the 2^nd best shooting % in the WHL having collected 11 goals on just 42 shots (26.2%).

The Oil Kings have killed off 42 of the last 49 penalties they’ve taken over the past 15 games (85.7%). The Oil Kings PP has gone 22 for its last 84 over the past 20 games (26.2%) and has 24 goals in its last 22 games.

The Oil Kings lead the WHL in attendance (5,642 avg.).

KAM Notables

Dylan Sydor ranks 5^th amongst all WHL players in power play goals this season with 9.

Nathan Behm ranks 14^th in WHL rookie scoring with 19 points (7G, 12A) in 36 games.

The Blazers are the 6^th least penalized team in the WHL this season.

Milestone Watch

• D Marc Lajoie us 1 game away from 250 career WHL games.
• G Kolby Hay is 1 game away from 100 career WHL games.
• F Marshall Finnie is 2 games away from 100 career WHL games.
• F Gavin Hodnett is 7 games away from 100 career WHL games.

Lineup Report

• D Ethan MacKenzie, upper-body, month-to-month (Games missed: 15).
• D Reid Larson, lower-body, month-to-month (Games missed: 10).
• F Carter Kowalyk, upper-body, day-to-day (Games missed: 2).

Streaks

• F Marshall Finnie is on an 8-game point streak (5g-3a-8pts).
• F Ty Nash is on a 4-game goal/point streak (6g-2a-8pts).
• F Roan Woodward is on a 4-game assist/point streak (1g-4a-5pts).
• D Matthew Gallant is on a 4-game assist/point streak (0g-5a-5pts).
• G Kolby Hay is on a 4-game winning streak.
• F Gracyn Sawchyn is on a 3-game point streak (1g-2a-3pts).
• F Skyler Bruce is on a 2-game point streak (1g-3a-4pts).
• F Joe Iginla is on a 2-game point streak (1g-1a-2pts).

Who’s Hot

• F Gavin Hodnett has 29 points (6G, 23A) in his last 23 games.
• D Marc Lajoie has 21 points (9G, 12A) in his last 22 games.
• F Skyler Bruce has 22 points (11G, 11A) in his last 19 games.
• F Roan Woodward has 13 points (5G, 8A) in his last 16 games.
• F Ty Nash has 17 points (10G, 7A) in his last 12 games.
• F Marshall Finnie has 12 points (6G, 6A) in his last 12 games.
• F Adam Jecho has 10 points (4G, 6A) in his last 11 games.
• F Gracyn Sawchyn has 8 points (2G, 6A) in his last 8 games.
• D Matthew Gallant has 6 points (0G, 6A) in his last 6 games.