PREVIEW: Oil Kings vs. Red Deer Rebels 09.23.23
EDMONTON OIL KINGS (1-0-0-0) vs. RED DEER REBELS (0-1-0-0) – September 23, 2023 – Rogers Place – 7:00 PM
EOK Today – Tickets – Game Notes
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2023-24 Schedule vs. Red Deer Rebels
Friday, Sept 22 @ Red Deer (4-2 EDM)
Saturday, Sept 23 @ Edmonton
Sunday, Oct 15 @ Edmonton
Tuesday, Oct 17 @ Edmonton
Saturday, Jan 13 @ Red Deer
Friday, Jan 26 @ Red Deer
Friday, Feb 16 @ Red Deer
Saturday, Feb 17 @ Edmonton
Saturday, Mar 23 @ Red Deer
Sunday, Mar 24 @ Edmonton
Who We’re Watching
#16 Aidan Litke
When the Oil Kings acquired him back on May 11 at the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft from the Portland Winterhawks it was for the purpose of adding skill and an offensive punch to their roster and last night in Red Deer, the Winnipeg, MB product announced his presence with authority registering two goals and an assist in his team’s 4-2 opening night win. The 6-foot, 188-pound forward is now a veteran of 124 WHL games and has registered 70 points (33G, 37A). Last night was his first career three-point game (had a four-point game Nov. 12, 2022 @ Victoria) and his third career multi-goal game.
Matchup Notes
Tonight marks the second of 10 meetings this season between the Oil Kings and Rebels. Last night, the Oil Kings picked up their first win in 10 tries against the Rebels securing a 4-2 decision at the Peavey Mart Centrium. Oil Kings newcomer Aidan Litke was all over the scoresheet with two goals and an assist, while another newcomer in Kian Bell provided the game-winning goal late in the third period on the power play. Marshall Finnie opened the scoring for the Oil Kings less than seven minutes into the game. Netminder Kolby Hay was rock solid making 36 saves. Oil Kings rookie forward Adam Jecho collected his first career WHL point in the win with an assist on Litke’s second period goal.
All-time, the Oil Kings and Rebels have met 110 times during the regular season with the Oil Kings holding a record of 55-41-7-7.
Tonight is the ninth time the Oil Kings home opener has come against the Rebels and they hold a 4-3-1-0 record in the previous eight.
Milestone Watch
- D Carter Kowalyk is 2 games away from 100 career games.
- F Ty Nash is 3 goals away from 50 career goals.
- D Marc Lajoie is 7 points away from 100 career points.
Lineup Report
- F Ty Nash, upper-body, month-to-month (Games missed: 1).
- F Gavin Hodnett, upper-body, 2-4 weeks (Games missed: 1).
- F Treycen Wuttunee, upper-body, 2-4 weeks (Games missed 1).
- D Carter Kowalyk, upper-body, TBD (Games missed: 0).
- D Vojtech Port, attending Anaheim Ducks training camp (Games missed: 1).
- F Nathan Pilling, attending Calgary Flames training camp (Games missed: 1).
Streaks
- F Marshall Finnie has goals and points in two straight games (2-0-2).*
- D Rhys Pederson has assists and points in two straight games (0-2-2).*
*Dating back to last regular season
Who’s Hot
- F Gavin Hodnett has 25 points (7G, 18A) in his last 33 games and 38 points (12G, 26A) in his last 46 games.*
- D Jacob Hoffrogge has 12 points (0G, 12A) in his last 20 games.*
- F Rilen Kovacevic has 7 points (3G, 4A) in his last 11 games and 12 points (5G, 7A) in his last 18 games.*
- F Mason Finley has 10 points (5G, 5A) in his last 10 games.*
- F Cole Miller has 6 points (3G, 3A) in his last 8 games.*
- F Ty Nash has 4 points (2G, 2A) in his last 6 games.*
*Dating back to last regular season
League Leaders (Last Season)
- F Gavin Hodnett finished 8th in the WHL rookie scoring race (43pts) and was the 4th highest scoring 2006-born player.
- G Kolby Hay finished 2nd in in the WHL in shots faced (1,679) and 2nd in saves made (1,465).
- Edmonton Oil Kings finished 1st in WHL attendance (6,501 avg.).
