What You Need To Know For Tonights Game

I wanted to get this up right after the morning skate , but I had a few things I had to take care of over at the station.

At 10 the players who are playing tonight took the ice for a separate skate. All were rookies and no vets will be playing tonight hence the reason they call this game the Rookies Game. It will be interesting to see if Battlefords dresses all rookies as well tonight.

The vets were on the ice for their own skate after. Most of the skate were 3 on 2 rushes and system drills.

One thing to note was that Scott Hellyer and Justin Mcdonald were the only two goalies on the ice this morning and participated in both skates.

The third Klippers goalie Patrick Johnson was in Saskatoon this morning getting some xrays after a injury he suffered earlier last week at the Edmonton Oil Kings camp. He will be in the lineup tonight though splitting time with Justin Mcdonald.

I talked to Larry this morning about Nick Eliason returning back to his AAA club and Larry was disappointed because Nick would of likely made the Klippers this season. With Nick gone though Larry mentioned he is certainly looking for a dmen via the trade market and said we could see some action as early as today. I will have all the details tonight if anything goes down.

Now before I get into the game lineup the weather outside is brutal. If your making the trip to Eston tonight be very careful on the highways.

Here's the Line combos for tonight's game

Goal

Mcdonald (92)

Johnson (93)

D

Howell (94) - Webb (93)

Bartel (92) - Thiel (93

Schmaltz


Fwd

Gourley - Pennr - Kissick

Long - Gerwing - Mcdonald

Olson - Schwark - Mcbride

Daniels-Bosovich-Schofner

The first two lines have a few players who have a realistic shot at cracking the squad. The bottom six are mainly 94s who will get their first taste of the SJHL before heading back to their respected Midget AAA clubs.

Larry mentioned that some of the players who play well tonight will see more action tomorrow likely when some of the vets make thier pre season debut.

I have a bunch of interviews from the last few days at camp. I will likely get them up sometime this afternoon.

Check back later on if you want to hear them.

Oh and Go Esks Go , I know most Rider fans are probably cheering for the Esks today to, so the Riders can catch the Stamps in the West Standings.