Music: {allcanada} OILERS FANS IN FOR 'A REAL TREAT' WITH SCHULTZ

Thursday, November 29, 2012

{allcanada} OILERS FANS IN FOR 'A REAL TREAT' WITH SCHULTZ

The Edmonton Journal notes the Oklahoma City Barons are 11-5-1-1, good enough for fourth place in the AHL's Western Conference standings.

Head coach Todd Nelson believes Justin Schultz, who's on the ice for 28-30 minutes a game, is a key reason behind Oklahoma City's stellar play.

"Justin wants to play every minute and it doesn't seem to affect him right now, although guys are starting to key on him. The only way to wear him down is to have the puck in our end a lot or dump it in and finish the checks on him. He's quick, though.

"He scored a goal against Charlotte where he was at their blue-line, all of a sudden took two strides and was open and Ebs (Jordan Eberle) found him and he scored,'' said Nelson.

In the game against Charlotte, who lead the South Division, Schultz was matched up against Justin Faulk, one of last season's top rookie defencemen. Schultz outplayed him.

Faulk, who has tons of ability, drew Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Co. and was minus-5 in the Checkers' 7-2 loss last Sunday.

"There's offensive similarities with Schultz and Faulk, but all I'll say is fans in Edmonton will be in for a real treat when they see him," Nelson said of Schultz, who is in his first pro season.

Eberle is second in AHL scoring, Nugent-Hopkins is fifth and Taylor Hall was last week's player of the week after he recorded nine points, including one goal, in three games.

"Nuge and Ebs were bugging Taylor about being player of the week, but saying his eight assists were all secondary assists," Nelson said, laughing.