The Edmonton Oil Kings are in town for their lone game with the Tri-City Americans this season.
The Oil Kings, who lead the Eastern Conference and Central Divsion with 91 points, dropped a 6-4 game at Spokane on Friday. They will continue their trek through the U.S. Division on Tuesday at Seattle, Wednesday at Portland and Friday at Everett. Last year, Edmonton swept the U.S. Division, except a 5-4 OT loss to Tri-City.
Troy Trombley, who has won his first four starts for the Americans, is back in net tonight to try and make it five in a row.
Trombley was channeling his inner Eric Comrie on Friday against Everett. Wearing their Breast Cancer Awareness jerseys, the Americans looked sharp in pink and white. The only problem, was the jerseys were ordered before Comrie was sidelined for the season.
There were three goalie-cut jerseys ordered, but two had Comrie's name and number. With the 6-foot-6 Trombley needing a goalie sized jersey, Paula Ward artfully crafted Trombley a nameplate and numbers to cover one of Comrie’s. All was good in the end.
Americans captain Justin Feser is playing his 310th consecutive game tonight — the WHL record is 311, held by Dwayne Newman (Brandon, Victoria). It also is his 340th game with the Americans, putting him second all-time behind Brent Ascroft (355, 1992-97).
A win tonight would give the Americans a season-high five-game win streak. They have won four in a row twice.
The Americans also have improved their win-loss record at home. They have won their last three at Toyota Center and are 16-12-0-2 on home ice. Their road record is a bit more impressive at 19-10-1-0.
With 12 games remaining in the regular season, the Americans need five more wins to reach 40 wins over seven consecutive seasons to tie a league record with Kamloops (1989-90 to 1995-96) and Regina (1979-80 to 1985-86).
The WHL handed out a bit of discipline Saturday morning for Friday night violations.
1. Vancovuer’s Wes Vannieuwenhuizen: TBD for a boarding major and a game misconduct vs. Kamloops.
2. Victoria’s Kolton Dixon: TBD for a checking-from-behind major and a game misconduct vs. Kelowna.
You can follow me throughout the game on twitter: @tchicequeen
