GAME PREVIEW - Oilers Rookies vs Flames Rookies

*Extreme Bruce Buffer voice*

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The Oilers and Flames rookies square off at Red Deer’s Westerner Park Centrium tonight, with puck drop slated for a shade after 7PM. Doors open at 6PM, for anyone in the viscinity, and there may still be a few tickets available. Click HERE if you’re interested.

Watch & Listen

Edmonton Oilers Rookies (0-0-0)

Calgary Flames Rookies (0-0-0)

7 PM MST - Westerner Park Centrium

TV: N/A

Online: Oilers TV

SBN Counterparts: Matchsticks and Gasoline

What to Look For

Goaltender Dylan Wells will start this evening, with Stuart Skinner scheduled to takeover halfway through the second period.

Cooper Marody and Tyler Benson will be joined by Cameron Hebig on the top line for the Oilers tonight, as Kailer Yamamoto is still not cleared for game action after suffering a wrist injury last season.

Ryan McLeod will anchor the second line alongside Nolan Vesey and Kirill Maksimov, while 2019 second-round pick Raphael Lavoie will debut on the right side of the third line, with Ostap Safin manning the other flank.

Evan Bouchard and Dmitri Samorukov will form the group’s top pairing this evening, with other notable Logan Day slotting into the second pairing.

The Oilers are Saying

“We’re looking for them to give us a little bit of leadership heading into this game tonight, and (to) help settle some of the nerves for some of the first year players.”

— Jay Woodcroft, Bakersfield Condors Head Coach, on his top line for tonight’s game.

The Flames are Saying

“That’s my flu shot!”

— Brad Treliving, Calgary Flames GM, while second in line at Shopper’s Drug Mart. Probably.

Seriously who cares about the Flames.

Have Some of This

• Connor McDavid was seen skating, quite well, in Edmonton today. He can’t commit to being ready for opening night, but did remark that he feels ‘no limitations’. It seems to be a case of being as careful as possible, and I can’t fault anyone involved for playing it that way.
• Hopefully Kailer Yamamoto can get cleared to return soon for his own sake, otherwise he’ll likely be sent down to Bakersfield without having a real opportunity to stake his claim during camp season.
• SICK BAY: Kailer Yamamoto (Wrist).

Our Coverage

Wheel it back around about an hour before puck drop for our Game Thread, where you too can yell into the void with the rest of us as you watch the likes of Evan Bouchard and Dmitri Samorukov run roughshod over their provincial lessers. Hope to see you then.