Weekend Update: Eberle Hits 30

The Edmonton Oilers had a fairly quiet week in terms of injuries, moves and call-ups. Which is a refreshing change of pace from seasons past and even earlier this season. There were a few players in and out of the line-up but not due to any major broken bones or concussions. Rather, Ben Eager was isolated from the rest of the team due to the flu and Linus Omark received the call-up from Oklahoma City.

There were a number of injury concerns during games this week, but Taylor Hall, Ales Hemsky and Jeff Petry all completed their games in one piece. The Oilers’ injured list is now at it’s shortest it’s been all season; none.

This week, the Edmonton Oilers had mixed results on their short California roadtrip early this week. Monday night was a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, but the did manage to recover and take a light night 3-2 shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks.

Thursday night was a visit by an original six team, bringing out the French in many Edmontonians as the Montreal Canadiens Oled their way to a convincing 5-3 victory. The Habs are usually a guaranteed win for the Oilers, but with this loss the record for the past ten years drops to 9-4.

The Oilers’ star of the week just might be Jordan Eberle who has reached the 30 goal mark, becoming just the third Oiler to reach this target in the past ten years. There is nowhere but up for this sophomore to go. For Jordan Eberle, 35 goals this season would be a reasonable expectation. And in a few years, why not 40.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins even with his shortened playing schedule, due to injury concerns has hit the 40 points mark, and Taylor Hall 50. While Nugent-Hopkins has yet to regain his lead over the rest of the NHL rookies, I would still argue that he has been the most prolific scorer this season, the conditions of the Calder Trophy. Hall may join Eberle in the 30 goal club, but will need to tally 6 more before the Oilers’ season ends Saturday April 7th.

Edmonton Oilers’ prospect Kristians Pelss has had a prolific goal scoring season himself with the WHL Central Division leading Edmonton Oil Kings. While Pelss does not lead his team in goals, he leads the team with clutch, game winning gaols this season; 4. The Oilers do night sign players to entry level contracts until April and May, but it would be surprising if they did not find a contract for this young Latvian.

The Edmonton Oilers web crew sat down for a few minutes with Oil King and Oilers prospect Martin Gernat, the most outgoing of the Marty Party (Martin Gernat and Martin Marincin).

The Oil Kings had another winning week and now have a seven game winning streak. In Saturday night’s win over the Swift Current Broncos Michael St. Croix became the first 40 goal scorer in modern Oil Kings’ franchise history as the Oil Kings were able took a 2-1 victory . Tuesday, the Oil Kings took a 3-1 decision over the Saskatoon Blades in a game where St, Croix's hands remained hot and his goal total reached 41. Wednesday night against the teams' biggest competition for the division title, the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Oil Kings prevailed with a score of 3-2 in overtime. Friday night, the Oil Kings official earned the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 5-2 victory over the Red Deer Rebels.

Saturday night, the Oil Kings will host the Red Deer Rebels in what will be your last chance to see Mat Dumba plays in Rexall before the 2012 NHL entry draft.

Fall apart for Renihart!

The Oklahoma City Barons clear day roster was approved this week and held no surprises. On it are the three Swedes, Linus Omark, Magnus Paajarvi and Anton Lander and most of the core of players who have been playing with the team all season. The only player left off that may have raised some eyebrows was centre Curtis Hamilton, but Hamilton sustained a leg injury last weekend and may miss the next 6-8 weeks.

Olivier Roy made broke a Stockton Thunder points record of 61 with his fourth shutout of the season Saturday night in the Thunder's 4-0 victory over the Alaska Aces. In Sunday's rematch, the Thunder took a 3-2 shootout victory over the Aces, sending them back home with only a single victory out of the three games played. Tuesday night , the Thunder posted a 5-4 loss to the Colorado Eagles. But then Wednesday night, the Thunder got their revenge with a 6-2 victory over the Eagles. The Thunder had an incredibly difficult schedule this week as the team had 6 games in 8 days, and Friday night it caught up to the team. The Thunder fell 4-1 to the Utah Grizzlies.

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On The Road Again, The Barons In Illinois And Michigan - Copper & Blue Rodgers

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SHOCKING BLUE - Oilers Nation Lowetide

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WOULD YOU TAKE DUSTIN PENNER BACK? - Oilers Nation Willis

Dubnyk vs. Khabibulin: By The Numbers - Cult of Hockey Willis

Taylor Chorney: "Things are Trending Up" - Oil Patch

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