Game Night: Pats v Oil Kings! Plus weekend action!

From Dan Plaster (I'm assuming) and the Regina Pats
Edmonton Oil Kings @ Regina Pats
Tonight 7:00pm Brandt Centre
6:50 Pre-Game Show - Mike Sillinger Banner Night
7:30 Puck Drop

Mike Sillinger Jersey Retirement Night
The Pats will also celebrate the career of one of the all-time best players in club history, Mike Sillinger. There will be a fantastic pre-game ceremony that will be capped off with his #16 heading to the rafters of the Brandt Centre. Ticket prices for the game will be 1990 prices: $11 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for youth (including service charges).

The Pats Story:
The Blue and white are 5-1 since coming back from the Christmas break and have crept to within striking distance of the 8th and final playoff spot. The Pats trail Prince Albert by 4 points with 3 games at hand heading into the weekend.

The Pats have been led by the goaltending of Matt Hewitt. He stopped 59 shots on Wednesday night to help the Pats to a 4-3 shootout victory past the top team in the WHL, the Saskatoon Blades. Since the Christmas break, Hewitt is 3-0 with a GAA of 1.58 and a Save % of .963.

The Pats will head on the road for a pair of games next week beginning Tuesday night in Prince Albert.

The Edmonton Oil Kings are taking on the Regina Pats on Mike Sillinger jersey retirement night. The Oil Kings had a hot December, and are continuing the pace into the New Year. They have climbed into 6th spot in the Eastern Conference and are putting together their best season in the young history of the franchise.

The faces of the Edmonton Oil Kings:

C - Michael St. Croix
The 17 year old forward is leading the Edmonton Oil Kings in every offensive category and is the 36th ranked North American player in the NHL CSB's mid-term rankings.

D - Mark Pysyk
The 18 year old defenceman was the 23rd overall pick of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and leads a dynamic defensive core that includes16 year old phenom, Griffin Reinhart and 17 year old Keegan Lowe.

C - Travis Ewanyk
The 17 year old forward has flown under the radar of most WHL fans, but has been just recently ranked 70th in the NHL CSB's rankings of North American Skaters.

Next Action:
Saturday, January 15th
7pm Brandt Centre
Red Deer Rebels @ Regina Pats

The Red Deer Rebels are fighting for top spot in the Central Division, but have had a difficult time with the Pats this season, losing 2 of the first 3 games. The Pats victories came in a shootout, while the Rebels won in overtime back at the Brandt Centre in early October.

The faces of the Red Deer Rebels:

C - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
The 17 year old forward is the 3rd ranked North American player in the NHL CSB's midterm rankings and is currently leading the Rebels in assists and points.

C - Byron Froese
The trigger-man for the Rebels power play is leading the club in goals and power play markers. He is also a 4th round pick of Blackhawks in 2009

D - Alex Petrovic
The big defenceman is the anchor of a great group of Rebel defencemen and is fifth on the club in scoring. He was a 2nd round pick of the Panthers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Skills on Display

The weekend finishes with the first annual Prairie Mobile Pats Skills Competition.

The Pats will be joined by the Hockey Regina Pee Wee Blackhawks, as well as 4 members of the local media, split into 2 teams and compete in the same events that are in the NHL All-Star Game Skills Competition. Entry to this great event is free with a donation to the Regina and Area Food Bank.

Prairie Mobile Pats Skills Competition:
Sunday, January 16th, 2011 at 1pm
Co-operators Centre
Entry: A non-perishable food or money donation to Regina and Area Food Bank