Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen erased a 2-1 third period deficit to beat the Kootenay Ice 4-2 Sunday afternoon in the Adrenalin Source for Sports Home Opener.
Victor Rask and Danny Gayle led the Hitmen scoring attack with a goal and an assist each.
However it was Brooks Macek who scored the game winning goal, breaking a 2-2 tie with less than seven minutes remaining.
Kenton Miller had the other Hitmen goal, scoring into an empty net with ten seconds left. Brady Brassart chipped in a pair of assists.
Calgary outshot the Ice 26-18 including 8-1 in the third period. Brandon Glover made 16 saves to record the victory.
The win improves the Hitmen record to 1-2.
They’ll now enjoy a full four day break before hosting the Red Deer Rebels Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
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My Post Game Thoughts
-Very impressed with Danny Gayle. I thought his energy in the second period gave the club a big boost. His goal was icing on the cake.
-Cody Sylvester was excellent while playing defence today. It's such a huge boost to any team when you have a forward that can slide back and play D when called upon. He ate huge minutes today and looked great in doing it.
-The Hitmen managed the ice surface in the third period as well as they have all season. Real smart decision making.
-Props to Jimmy Bubnick who was a physical beast for the club. He put Flames pick Joey Leach on his butt twice in one shift and was tough to handle all game.
The Hitmen Informant is written by Calgary Hitmen Play-by-Play Broadcaster Brad Curle.
And Victor Rask with some seriously impressive stickwork and creativity in the offensive zone to earn that number-one star. On the second goal, he used the D as a screen as he went in 1-on-2, and to set up the winner, he drove wide right around the Kootenay defence and found Macek in front. Also really liked the puck movement on the PP, even if he did lose it on one play and take a penalty to try to get it back. First time I've seen him play, but I'm a fan so far.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was also impressed by their puck management after they got up 3-2; only gave up one or two decent chances the rest of the way. Last year, that was when panic set in and bad goals often followed. Hopefully, this is a sign of growth.