The CHL on Sportsnet remains in the WHL with a chance to look at defending Mastercard Memorial Cup champion Edmonton. The Oil Kings are at home against the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Despite having lost eight of their last ten, the Tigers are still tops in the Central Division and second in the Eastern Conference. By virtue of its win over Tri-City Saturday, Calgary now has the same number of points as Medicine Hat, but one fewer regulation win — which would be a tie-breaking determinant.
The Tigers veered off course at the end of January with a 4-3 shootout loss in Spokane. Over the ten game stretch, Medicine Hat has uncharacteristically given up an average of four goals per game, about a goal more than they had given up before the slide. Both Marek Langhamer and Nick Schneider have been used as head coach Shaun Clouston continues to look for answers.
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Defensively, Tommy Vanelli has been out since breaking his finger on January 25. He’s an excellent puck mover whose offensive talents have been missed. Having said that, there’s still good size and experience in the likes of Ty Stanton, Tyler Lewington, Matt Staples, Ty Schultz, Kyle Burroughs and the emerging David Quenneville.
Up front, the Tigers boast the top two scorers in the league in Trevor Cox and Cole Sanford, but unfortunately Cox will not play as he sits out the final game of a suspension. Medicine Hat made a major deal with Regina that netted Dryden Hunt and Burroughs. Hunt has added needed scoring depth. After that trio, there is a drop off to the second tier of scorers Chad Butcher, Markus Eisenschmid and Steve Owre.
These are not the Oil Kings of the recent past and with each passing day Edmonton is hanging on to the final wild card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Goal scoring has been Edmonton’s biggest problem. Gone are the likes of Curtis Lazar, Henrik Samuellson and Mitch Moroz up front. The Oil Kings must rely on a balanced attack with a solid penchant for defending in order to have success.
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Tristan Jarry is a good starting place. He’s now the franchise leader in career wins having recently surpassed his old net mate Laurent Brossoit. Jarry gives Edmonton a chance every game.
No question, the strength of the Oil Kings lies in their defensive corps. Blake Orban, Dysin Mayo, Ashton Sautner, and Aaron Irving all earned Mastercard Memorial Cup rings last season. While this group lacks the firepower of Cody Corbett and Griffin Reinhart, it is still a very capable group.
Up front, Edmonton’s returnees from last season haven’t taken the same leap as they did a year ago. That was to be expected as Luke Bertolucci, Cole Benson, Brandon Baddock and Brett Pollock have never had to be the go-to guys. Mads Eller and Edgars Kulda are also returnees that haven’t produced to the same standards as they did one season ago.
Despite all of that, Edmonton is still a playoff team, and stingy hockey wins in the playoffs. It all would’ve looked differently had Curtis Lazar not gone and made the Ottawa Senators, but that’s life in junior hockey.
Medicine Hat Tigers 37-19-1-2 (16-10-0-2 Road), 1L (1st Central Division, 2nd Eastern Conference, 10th BMO CHL Top 10)
Individual Stats
In Goal
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Tommy Vannelli (STL 47th 2013)
Tyler Lewington (WAS 204th 2013)
Kyle Burroughs (NYI 196th 2013)
Marek Langhamer (PHX/ARI 184th 2012)
NHL Central Scouting
Nick Schneider No. 8 (Goalies)
Matt Bradley No. 144
Dryden Hunt No. 160
Under The Radar
Markus Eisenshmid: The German world junior continues to produce at more than a point per game. He adds needed scoring depth.
Edmonton Oil Kings 26-23-3-1 (18-8-1-1 Home) 2L, (4th Maritimes Division, 11th QMJHL)
Individual Stats
In Goal
NHL Drafted/Signed Players
Tristan Jarry (PIT 44th 2013)
Brett Pollock (DAL 45th 2014)
Dysin Mayo (ARI 133rd 2014)
Aaron Irving (NAS 162nd 2014)
Edgars Kulda (ARI 193rd 2014)
NHL Central Scouting
N/A
Under The Radar
Dysin Mayo: Started to come on in the playoffs two years ago. Played regularly last season and is now a leaning post for the Oil Kings.