Preview: Oil Kings vs Calgary Hitmen 3.15.24
March 15, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Edmonton Oil Kings News Release
EDMONTON OIL KINGS (24-36-3-1) vs. CALGARY HITMEN (26-29-7-1) -
MARCH 15, 2024 - ROGERS PLACE - 7:00 PM
2023-24 Schedule vs. Calgary
Friday, Nov 10 @ Calgary (6-1 CGY)
Saturday, Nov 11 @ Edmonton (10-2 CGY)
Saturday, Nov 25 @ Calgary (7-3 CGY)
Sunday, Jan 7 @ Calgary (5-1 CGY)
Friday, Feb 2 @ Edmonton (6-5 OT CGY)
Sunday, Feb 4 @ Calgary (8-1 CGY)
Wed., Feb 21 @ Edmonton (5-4 EDM)
Wed, Feb 28 @ Calgary (6-3 CGY)
Friday, March 15 @ Edmonton
Matchup Notes
Today's contest is the 9th and final meeting in the regular season between the two clubs. Calgary has won 7 of the previous 8 meetings.
Gavin Hodnett leads all Oil Kings in scoring during the season series with eight points (3G, 5A) in eight games, while Oliver Tulk is the top scorer for the Hitmen with seventeen points (8G, 9A) in eight games. All-time, the Oil Kings and Hitmen have met 112 times in the regular season with the Oil Kings holding a record of 54-48-9-1.
Coming In
The Oil Kings are coming into this contest undefeated in regulation throughout their last 3 games, and wrapped up a 4-game road trip picking up 5 of a possible 8 points.
Edmonton picked up a 6-1 win over Lethbridge on Wednesday night, seeing 5 different players find the back of the net. The 6-1 score was only the 2nd time this season the club won a game by a 5 goal margin.
The Oil Kings scored twice on their first 4 shots of the game against Hurricanes starting goalie Brady Smith. Adam Jecho's 2nd period marker proved enough to be the game winner, while the Oil Kings piled on 4 more in the 3rd period including 3 of them on the powerplay.
Edmonton prevented the Hurricanes from picking up an important 2 points in their Eastern Conference playoff race, doing the Calgary Hitmen a "favor" who are 5 points back of Lethbridge and Prince Albert for the final playoff spot. The Oil Kings are unbeaten in 4 of their last 5 home games at Rogers Place, and have scored 10 powerplay goals during that stretch.
Edmonton has 3 home games remaining in the 2023/24 regular season.
EOK Notables
 Oil Kings defenceman Marc Lajoie moved into a 3rd place tie with Griffin Reinhart and Cody Corbett for the most career power play goals by an Oil Kings defenceman in franchise history with his 12th on Wednesday. He now trails Aaron Irving (13) and Conner McDonald (14) for the all-time record.
 Oil Kings Forward Smyth Rebman will be playing in his 100th game in the Western Hockey League on Friday night.
 Oil Kings Forward Adam Jecho recorded his first career 4-point game on Wednesday (2G, 2A) after going 4 games without registering a point. His 20th goal of the year landed as his 4th game winning goal, tied for 3rd amongst all Western Hockey League rookies.
 Oil Kings Forward and Lethbridge native John Szabo scored his first goal in 34 games, and his first goal at the Enmax Centre on Wednesday.
 Oil Kings defenceman Marc Lajoie sits 10th in defenceman points (51), 2nd in defenceman goals (21), 1st in defenceman PP goals (12) and tied for 5th in defenceman PP points (29) in the WHL. His 12 power play goals rank tied for 5th overall in the entire WHL amongst all skaters.
 The Oil Kings lead the WHL in attendance (6,820 avg.).
CGY Notables
 A regulation win on Friday will be the first time the Hitmen have beat the Oil Kings 7 times in one regular season in franchise history.
 Calgary Forward Ben Kindel sits 3rd in the Western Hockey League rookies with 41 assists through 63 games played.
Milestone Watch
 F Ty Nash is 6 assists away from 100 career WHL assists.
 D Marc Lajoie is 3 assists away from 100 career WHL assists.
 F Skyler Bruce is 3 goals away from 50 career WHL goals.
Lineup Report
 F Presley Kerner, lower-body, week-to-week (Games missed: 13)
Streaks
 F Gracyn Sawchyn is on a 3-game point streak (2g-2a-4pts).
Who's Hot
 F Landon Hanson has 5 points (2G, 3A) in his last 7 games.
 F Ty Nash has 25 points (6G, 19A) in his last 24 games.
 F Gracyn Sawchyn has 23 points (6G, 17A) in his last 21 games.
 F Gavin Hodnett has 15 points (6G, 9A) in his last 16 games.
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from March 15, 2024
- Pats Come Back Home And Secure 5-2 Win Over Raiders - Regina Pats
- Chiefs Sluggish in 3-1 Defeat in Wenatchee - Spokane Chiefs
- Oil Kings Take Out Hitmen, 6-2 - Calgary Hitmen
- Warriors Set for Weekend Series against Blades - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Preview: Oil Kings vs Calgary Hitmen 3.15.24 - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Young Fans Can Access Premium Training with Cadets Academy - Regina Pats
- Game Day Hub: March 15 vs. Tri-City - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Players to Visit Grant Elementary, Isaac Foundation, and Fred Meyer - Spokane Chiefs
- Chiefs Look to Clinch with at Least One Point in Wenatchee Friday - Spokane Chiefs
- Pats to Extend 2023-24 Ticket Prices into Next Season - Regina Pats
- Cougars Battle Royals to Begin 3 Games in 3 Nights - Prince George Cougars
- Lots on the Line for Wheat Kings in Season Series Finale with Raiders - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Day Preview: Game 65 at Swift Current - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rockets To Battle Tips In Home And Home Series, Live Music At Prospera On Saturday - Kelowna Rockets
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
