Oil Kings pre-season schedule

[Terry]

2nd Annual Edmonton Oil Kings Pre-Season Invitational

At Servus Place in St. Albert

Saturday August 30th
Medicine Hat Tigers vs Regina Pats 3:00 p.m.
Swift Current Broncos vs Edmonton Oil Kings 7:00 p.m.

Sunday August 31st
Swift Current Broncos vs Prince George Cougars 3:00 p.m.
Regina Pats vs Edmonton Oil Kings 7:00 p.m.

Monday September 1st
Prince George Cougars vs Regina Pats 3:00 p.m.
Medicine Hat Tigers vs Edmonton Oil Kings 7:00 p.m.

Friday September 5th
Edmonton Oil Kings @ Prince George Cougars 8:00 p.m.

Saturday September 6th
Edmonton Oil Kings @ Prince George Cougars 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday September 9th - Red Deer Rebels vs Edmonton Oil Kings 7:00 @ Leduc

Saturday September 13th @ Airdrie
Edmonton Oil Kings vs Calgary Hitmen 7:00 p.m.

[Terry]

Game On!

Edmonton, AB – The sophomore season is officially underway for the Edmonton Oil Kings. What a start. It took the home team 90 seconds to score their first goal of the season against some jerseys with a logo other than the Oil Kings crown. The only glitch on the opening day of their 2nd annual tournament was they couldn’t quite score enough and dropped their opener in St. Albert 4 – 3 to the Swift Current Broncos.

“I thought it was a good game.” described Oil Kings Head Coach Steve Pleau. “I thought we did some very constructive things. I thought our forecheck was decent when we were going and our offensive presence was good. We had some good shots on net with some good traffic. There’s also some areas of needed improvement like our d-zone coverage, we need to work on our angles to slow our opponents down. Overall I thought it was a good learning experience for the young guys.”

The whole point of pre-season is to get a good look at all your prospects and to eventually pick your roster for the upcoming year. The Oil Kings had 6 players on their roster that hadn’t had a taste of Western Hockey League action including starting goalie Laurent Brossoit. The Oil Kings 2nd round pick from this summer’s Bantam draft was glad to get the first game under his belt.

“I only let in one so I felt pretty good.” said Brossoit. “It’s still one I’d like to get back but I was pretty happy with my performance. I was really nervous with a lot of butterflies before the game. I was lucky though. Their first couple of shots weren’t too challenging and they let me get into the game and get a feel for the puck. The quality of shots in this league is so much faster. I’ve got to get used to that but I feel I play better when it’s quick so I can only get better.”

Another player making his Oil Kings debut got to do it in his own backyard. St. Albert native Travis Ewanyk picked up an assist on Edmonton’s first goal which turned out to be the perfect way to settle some nerves.

“It was just a draw and I tried to tie up the centreman and Shayne came in and picked up the puck and made a great play.” described Ewanyk. “It helped me feel a little bit more calm. I’ve just got to go out there and play calm and points will take care of themselves. It was way faster than I’m used to, I’ll have to adjust but it was good though.”

Swift Current’s Dale Weise made it 1 – 1 to send the game into the first intermission tied. The Broncos had the edge in the middle frame thanks to goals from Christian Magnus and Michael Hay. Oil Kings veteran Craig McCallum whistled a one-time by Chad Ketting after a nice set up from returning Oil Kings favorite Jeff Lee. Clayton Cumiskey scored on a nice second effort to give Edmonton the lead just over the half way point in the hockey game. Elbow, Saskatchewan native Jordan Peddle scored the game winner just over 5 minutes into the third period.

Next up for the Oil Kings will be the Regina Pats, Sunday night at Servus Place in St. Albert. Game time is 7 o’clock. The matinee game at 3:00 p.m. will feature the Broncos against the Prince George Cougars.
In the opening game of the tournament, the Regina Pats edged the Medicine Hat Tigers 6 – 4.

www.oilkings.ca/hm/inside.php?id=302

[Terry]

Rough One Against Regina

St. Albert, AB - The Edmonton Oil Kings went postal for their second game of their Pre-Season Invitational. Unfortunately, that’s not a good thing in hockey. Four Oil Kings hit the post and they threw everything they had at the Pats in the last 10 minutes but it wasn’t quite enough as they fell 5 – 4 to Regina Sunday night at Servus Credit Union Place in St. Albert. What a finish. The home squad rallied with 3 goals in the last 2:13 and there was a line brawl with just 51 seconds to go in what was clearly the most entertaining hockey game of the Oil Kings tournament so far.

“It was really exciting.” described Oil Kings bruising defenceman Adrian Van de Mosselaer who scored a pair of goals and added an assist in the final flurry. “We just stuck to our game and kept banging away and went towards the net and the last minute got pretty exciting.”

Van de Mossealaer was on the ice for the last minute and just missed his hat trick on a mad scramble in front. Not bad for a guy that scored in his first WHL regular season game last year and hasn’t scored since in 52 games. As for the line brawl at the end, the 6’2, 215 pound Kelowna resident says that’ll go a long way towards team building.

“(Cameron) Cepek stepped up and we all stepped up today. It was good to see Robin (Soudek) get his first fight in and he did very good. It’s good to know that guys aren’t afraid to step up to the plate when the game gets a little messy.”

Some might say it was a Rocky Thompson type game.

“I wouldn’t say that.” the Oil Kings assistant coach quickly pointed out. “But it was nice to see our guys at the end there just sticking up for each other. You could see that Regina was trying to take advantage of us throughout the game and I thought our guys responded well at the end. I truly think a lot of our guys not only surprised Regina but maybe even surprised themselves.”
Oil Kings 18-year-old goalie Dalyn Flette looked solid as the starter for Edmonton. He played just over 30 minutes and made 11 saves on 13 shots. The Calgary native’s best save was his last robbing Brett Breitkreuz’s little brother Clarke on a clear cut breakaway from the red line and in courtesy of a terrific pass from Pats winger Garrett Mitchell. That’s the first time the Breitzkreuz brothers have had to play a competitive game of hockey against each other. Older brother Brett finished with a goal and an assist but admits younger brother Clarke gets the bragging rights after scoring the game winner.

“We’ve been on the same team and even on the same line until I went to play Pee Wee AA, and we haven’t played together since. It was a little different, that’s for sure. He still got the same winner. I didn’t know who to cheer for on his breakaway. He can score a hat trick and we can win 4 – 3 and I’d take that every night.”

Brent Raedeke rounded out the scoring for the Oil Kings. Koltyn Miller opened the scoring for the Pats and then Edmonton Oilers 1st round, 22nd overall draft pick Jordan Eberle stole the show from there with a pair of goals and an assist. Matt Streuby added a single for the Pats.

Regina will play one more game in this tournament at 3:00 p.m. on Monday against the Prince George Cougars. Edmonton will close out the tournament in the 7 o’clock game against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Earlier in the day, the Cougars edged the Swift Current Broncos 3 – 1 with an empty netter.

www.oilkings.ca/hm/inside.php?id=304

[Terry]

Oil Kings Win First Game Of The Year

St. Albert, AB - Call it a special night for the Oil Kings. Edmonton scored 3 powerplay goals and a shorthanded marker as the special teams took over in a 5 – 4 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers. Most importantly, the young Oil Kings squad tasted victory for the first time this year wrapping up their 2nd Annual Pre-Season Invitational in style. Another good mix of veterans with a lot of good young players trying to make an impression factored into the scoring as the home squad continued to use a full compliment of bodies with the 3 games in 3 nights schedule.

“We’ve had a long grueling camp and that’s where were at right now.” Explained Oil Kings Head Coach Steve Pleau. “We’ve got some guys that are tired, guys that are banged up but that’s what camp is about. We’ve got to keep pushing them, drive them through it and we’ll be that much better for it come September 19th.”
20 year old veteran Jeff Lee made a strong case for himself when it comes to choosing which three over-age player will make the team. He scored the game winner with a wicked shot flying down the left wing midway through the third period. Later in the game he scored a knockout decision in a fight against Thomas Frazee.

“He probably asked me to go about 5 or 6 times before that and I kept looking at the clock and thinking, I’m not going to go with you this early in the game because of the suspension rule. “ (1 fight and your out)

Lee added an assist earlier in the game and whenever you get points – you get noticed.

“Finding the back of the net is always good.” said lee as he cracked a smile. “I got a good shot through. I don’t think he (Bunz) saw it through the legs of his own d-man.”

Another player that drew some attention to himself was 16 year old Saskatoon native Dylan Wruck. The diminutive Saskatoon native drew a penalty for a penalty shot. He couldn’t quite convert but made up for it in the second period with a goal and an assist while on the powerplay.

“I think I’ve progressed a lot from my first training camp a year ago. I think about what I can do better and you learn what you can start to do out there.” said Wruck who stands 5 foot 8.

He’s not like the classic ‘little guys’ who will burn you with pure speed or who will get under your skin as an agitator.

“That’s tough because he’s not a great skater but he’s so smart and he competes.” describes Pleau. “He’s as good a competitor as there is on the ice. I don’t know who he reminds me of…he reminds me of Dylan Wruck right now. I saw him in rookie camp and I saw him again tonight and that was fun to see.”

The Tigers actually took it to the Oil Kings in the opening frame outshooting them 15 – 8. Veterans John Stampohar and Josh Koper scored for the visitors while Brent Raedeke replied for Edmonton. The 18-year-old Regina native made a nice play to force a turn over in the neutral zone and fired a puck on Tigers goalie Tyler Bunz from along the boards that handcuffed the young netminder. Drew Nichol rounded out the scoring for the Oil Kings. Joey Frazer and Tristan King added singles for the Tigers in a late surge that just fell short.

The Oil Kings will head out on the road for a pair of games against the Prince George Cougars this Friday and Saturday night. Their next game around here is Tuesday September 9th in Leduc against the Red Deer Rebels.

All the tournament scoring summaries are available in the Schedule & Scores section of oilkings.ca.

www.oilkings.ca/hm/inside.php?id=305

[Terry]

Cougar Country

Prince George, BC - The Edmonton Oil Kings are trying to settle in to Prince George with their back to back games against the Cougars. They may be a little unsettled after dropping a 5 - 1 decision to the Cougars Friday night.

Czech rookie Robin Soudek has played in just 2 of the 4 Oil Kings exhibition games so far and has 2 points so far. He scored his first of the pre-season from Shayne Neigum and Brett Breitkreuz on the powerplay in the second period to pull the Oil Kings to within a goal.

However, Prince George's Brett Connolly answered with a pair of goals in the second period and the Cougars didn't look back. Justin Maylan , Parker Stanfield and Alex Poulter rounded out the scoring for the home team.

The Oil Kings continue to assert themselves physically after another dust up in this one. Bretikreuz squared off against Cody Hobbs. Edmonton native Drew Nichol got the best of Maylan while Mark Pysyk held his own in his first WHL fight against Dale Hunt.

Veteran goalie Dalyn Flette got the nod between the pipes for Edmonton and finished with 27 saves.

The Oil Kings record in the pre-season is 1-3-0-0 and they'll have another crack at the Cougars Saturday night at the CN Centre.

www.oilkings.ca/hm/inside.php?id=321

[Terry]

Bounce Back In B.C.

Prince George, B.C. - That's more like it. This time the Edmonton Oil Kings put up more than a fight for their second night in a row in Prince George. They jumped out to a big lead in the first period and held on for a 5 - 3 win over the Cougars.

Czech rookie Robin Soudek continued his point streak with his third point in as many games when he set up T.J. Foster for his first WHL exhibition goal to make it 1 - 0 for the visitors who had a lot to prove after a disappointing 5 - 1 loss 24 hours earlier.

16 year old defenceman Mark Pysyk wasn't worn out from his first WHL fight on Friday night. He picked up a pair of assists on the next two Edmonton goals off the sticks of Brenden Dowd and Craig McCallum.

The Oil Kings would connect again with the man advantage before the period was through when Shayne Neigum found the back of the net and Edmonton enjoyed a 4 - 1 lead after 2- minutes. Dale Hunt had the lone marker for Prince George.

Airdrie, Alberta native Dana Tyrell had his team back in it momentarily when he scored a shorthanded goal early in the second period.

But the Oil Kings powerplay had an answer for that too. Craig McCallum connected again with Tomas Vincour picking up his first point in his first game since joining the team after a national team tournament back in his hometown in the Czech Republic.

Corey Tyrell scored the only goal of the third period and Oil Kings goalie Cam Lanigan went the distance stopping 19 shots for the victory. The win improves the Oil Kings record in the pre-season to 2 - 3 - 0 - 0.

Next up will be the annual Leduc game versus the Red Deer Rebels. That goes Tuesday night at the Black Gold Arena. Tickets are available through Leduc Minor Hockey.

www.oilkings.ca/hm/inside.php?id=322

[Terry]

Oil Kings Drop A Close One In Leduc

Leduc, AB - Organizers for Leduc Minor Hockey like to dub the Western Hockey League pre-season game they host ‘The Battle In Oil Country’. Round 2 of the annual affair between Edmonton and Red Deer goes to the Rebels. The visitors jumped out to a couple of early goals and were able to survive the tenacious checking of the Oil Kings in the second period and skate to a 5 – 3 victory in front of a near capacity crowd at the Black Gold Arena.

“I thought we played hard but we gave up 5 goals so our game obviously has holes in it.” said Oil Kings Head Coach Steve Pleau. “We had a pretty good puck, possession game and could’ve been on the powerplay all night. We had some holes in the neutral zone and on the penalty kill, but it’s the pre-season and we have some time to work on that.”

17-year-old returnee Landon Ferraro had a pair of points for the Rebels before the game was 7 minutes old. Fans didn’t even have a chance to finish pouring into the arena when he set up Finnish native Tommi Kivisto for a one-timer at the :15 second mark.
Then with Tomas Vincour in the box for the game’s first penalty, Ferraro pounced on a rebound with a scramble in front of Oil Kings starter Dalyn Flette. Tomas Polak and Cody Gross picked up assists. It was 2 – 0 Red Deer after the first period even though Edmonton lead on the shot clock 11 – 6.

The Oil Kings came out hitting hard in the second period. Clayton Cumiskey absolutely drilled Rebels defender Tommi Kivisto and Brett Breitkreuz was throwing his weight around on every shift. The hard work was infectious and led to an unassisted goal from Craig McCallum.

The Canoe Narrows, Saskatchewan native was the first player in on the forecheck, while the teams were playing 4 aside. He caused Rebels’ goalie Morgan Clark to simply cough up the puck right in his crease and it was an easy tap-in for McCallum to get the Oil Kings on the board.

The back breaker in the hockey game came on Red Deer’s third goal. Dalyn Flette made the initial save on a Willie Coetzee shot and was lying on his back with the puck covered under his glove. Somehow, Cody Esposito managed to poke it free and across the line before the whistle blew.

Red Deer turned the break into some momentum and Cody Gross extended the lead to 4 – 1 heading into the second intermission. A lot can be learned about your team when you’re playing with a deficit.

The Oil Kings mounted a bit of a comeback in the third with some help from the powerplay. Brenden Dowd scored with a 2 man advantage and McCallum picked up his second point of the game with the lone assist.

Vincour made it a one goal game with just over 8 minutes to go on a goal-mouth scramble in front of Morgan to make it interesting for a few minutes until the Rebels settled the matter with another powerplay goal on another broken play in front of the net. Brett Ferguson trickled one in barely over the line to make the final score 5 – 3.

The Oil Kings will close out the pre-season this Friday in Airdrie against the Calgary Hitmen. Edmonton’s home opener goes Friday September 19th against the Medicine Hat Tigers. There are plenty of great seats available starting with the ATB Financial Zone tickets for just $17.

www.oilkings.ca/hm/inside.php?id=325

[Terry]

Pre-Season Wraps Up

Airdrie, AB - Some call it a final tune-up. Others think of it as the last dress rehearsal before the big show. Since there will be no 2 points awarded, the Oil Kings coaching staff will simply call it a 'W'. The Edmonton Oil Kings will head into the 2008 - 2009 season on a winning note. They picked up a victory in their final exhibition game of the pre-season thanks to a 3 - 2 decision over the Calgary Hitmen in Airdrie.

The scoring on this night came from a good mix of veterans and newcomers. Half of the point getters were from Oil Kings who spent the entire 2007 - 08 season on the WHL roster. The rest are players that hope to be playing their first full season in the dub when the final roster is set come opening night Friday against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Defenceman Tyler Hlookoff was the hero for the Oil Kings scoring his first of the pre-season at about the half way point of the third period. The unassisted goal turned out to be the game winner.

Edmonton's co-leader for points last year, Tomas Vincour maintained his point per game pace in the pre-season (2 Goals, 1 Assist) when he scored a goal from Rhett Rachinski and Brent Henke.

Defenceman Henrik Tervonen found the net as well for the Oil Kings. Returnees Clayton Cumiskey and Logan Proulx picked up the assists.

Cody Sylvester was the only member of the Hitmen to beat Edmonton goalie Dalyn Flette scoring both Calgary goals. Flette made 29 stops to earn the victory and gain some valuable confidence heading into Game 1 of the regular season this Friday.

The Oil Kings managed a record of 3 - 4 in the pre-season and will likely make their roster decisions on Monday as they get set for the second season in modern franchise history.

Don't forget, ENMAX Opening night will feature the live performance from Hollywood singing sensation Jesse McCartney. Come early for the kids carnival that will include Oilers autographs, zoo animals, street hockey, fun games, great prizes and more. The carnival is at 5 p.m. Face-off will be at 7 p.m.

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