Blazers welcome Oil Kings to Kamloops for CHL on Sportsnet
Edmonton Oil Kings (20-34-4-1)
at Kamloops Blazers (36-19-2-4)
Tuesday, Feb. 21 – 7 p.m. (Pacific) / 8 p.m. (Mountain) – Sandman Centre
Channels: Sportsnet 360
The Kamloops Blazers continue their pursuit of a B.C. Division title when they welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings to the Sandman Centre for CHL on Sportsnet Tuesday evening.
Winners of two straight, the Blazers find themselves a mere two points back of the division-leading Prince George Cougars, with both teams in possession of 11 games on each of their respective regular season schedules.
As for the Oil Kings, they continue to battle in the Central Division, sitting nine points back of the Calgary Hitmen for the second and final wild card position in the Eastern Conference.
Last time out, the Blazers blanked those division-leading Cougars by a 3-0 margin Sunday evening, as Connor Ingram turned aside all 28 shots sent his way. Previous action for Edmonton saw the Oil Kings drop a 7-4 decision to the Medicine Hat Tigers, in which rookie Trey Fix-Wolansky fired up a hat trick.
Not to be overlooked is the fact this will be the first meeting between the Blazers and Oil Kings since 20-year-old forward Lane Bauer was shipped from the City of Champions to Kamloops in a deal prior to the WHL Trade Deadline. In 60 games this season, the product of Anchorage, Alaska, has 60 points (33G-27A) to his credit, including 20 points (8G-12A) in 20 games since landing in the B.C. Interior.
Bauer is simply one of the top threats donning Blazer blue these days, with Anaheim Ducks prospect Deven Sideroff leading the way. The product of Summerland, B.C., has managed 68 points (31G-37A) in 58 games this season, eclipsing the 30-goal and 60-point marks for the first time in his WHL career.
Davis Koch continues to enjoy a stellar season for the Oil Kings, leading his club in scoring with 60 points (18G-42A) in 59 contests. The 18-year-old product of Surrey, B.C., has also set new career marks in every major offensive category. His previous highs all came during the 2014-15 season, when he tallied 11 goals, 14 assists and 25 points through 52 games.
The aforementioned Ingram is lands among WHL leaders in almost every major goaltending category, including goals-against average (second – 2.14), save percentage (first – .934) and shutouts (T-4th – four). The Tampa Bay Lightning prospect is 22-10-2-2 in 37 appearances this season.
Patrick Dea carries the bulk of the workload for the Oil Kings, having appeared in 48 contests this season. The 19-year-old product of St. Albert, Alta., is 18-26-2-1 with a 3.68 GAA, .885 SV% and one shutout.
Tuesday’s affair marks the second of two regular season meetings between the Blazers and Oil Kings this season. The last time out, the Blazers edged past the Oil Kings by a 3-2 margin at Rogers Place on Dec. 10, in which Dylan Ferguson made 36 saves while Collin Shirley scored twice.
Lane Bauer and the #Kamloops Blazers host the Edmonton Oil Kings tonight at 7pm, https://t.co/zPD3esu1qf pic.twitter.com/NKWzB4rOgz
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 21, 2017
Kamloops Blazers
Record: 36-19-2-4
Head coach: Don Hay
Leading scorers: RW Deven Sideroff (31-37—68); RW Rudolfs Balcers (34-29—63); C Lane Bauer (33-37—60)
Leading goaltender: Connor Ingram (37GP, 22-10-2-2, 2.14 GAA, .934 SV%, 4 SO)
Power play: 16th – 18.1 per cent
Penalty kill: Thirds – 83.7 per cent
Injuries/unavailable: Deven Sideroff (upper body, day to day)
#OilKings continue road trip with a stop in Kamloops to take on the Blazers tomorrow night.
PREVIEW➡️https://t.co/vaE9pKkiLq— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) February 21, 2017
Edmonton Oil Kings
Record: 20-34-1-1
Head coach: Steve Hamilton
Leading scorers: RW Davis Koch (18-42—60); RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (20-25—45); LW Tyler Robertson (14-18—32)
Leading goaltender: Patrick Dea (48GP, 18-26-2-1, 3.68 GAA, .885 SV%, 1 SO)
Power play: 18th – 17.9 per cent
Penalty kill: 19th – 75.7 per cent
Injuries/unavailable: N/A
Season series
Dec. 10 – Kamloops (3) at Edmonton (2)
Feb. 21 – Edmonton at Kamloops
Check out the #CHL on @Sportsnet with action tonight featuring @TheWHL as @EdmOilKings travel to @blazerhockey LIVE at 10PM ET on SN 360 pic.twitter.com/JGrVTNnMWI
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) February 21, 2017
CHL on Sportsnet
Friday, Feb. 24 – Victoria Royals at Vancouver Giants
Tuesday, March 14 – Victoria Royals at Vancouver Giants
Friday, March 17 – Vancouver Giants at Kelowna Rockets