Calgary 3 Kootenay 0

Calgary, AB - The Calgary Hitmen beat Kootenay Ice 3-0 Saturday evening at the Scotiabank Saddledome in front of 14,982 fans, clinching third place in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 91 points. 
After a scoreless first period, Peter Kosterman netted a second period marker with Jimmy Bubnick scoring two in the third.  Greg Chase added three helpers in the win.

Chris Driedger made 25 saves to record his 24th win and third shutout of the season

The Hitmen will now open the 2012 playoffs against the Brandon Wheat Kings on March 22 and 23.  Both games are 7:00 p.m. starts at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  Playoff tickets are available now at all ticketmaster locations and online at http://www.ticketmaster.ca/.  For information on playoff packages and group tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

A buffet will be served in the Avison Young Club Dining Room before each playoff game, open two hours prior to puck drop.  For buffet reservations, call 403-571-9733.  The reservation line is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The first round of playoffs will be a 2-3-2 series.  Calgary will travel to Winnipeg for Game 3 on Sunday, March 25 at the MTS Centre.  Game 4 of the series will take place on Tuesday, March 27 followed by Game 5, if necessary, on Thursday.  If necessary, Games 6 and 7 will be played at the Scotiabank Saddledome on April 1 and 3.

2012 Round 1 Playoff Schedule
Round 1 Date Time (MT) Venue
Game 1 Thursday, March 22 7:00 p.m. Scotiabank Saddledome
Game 2 Friday, March 23 7:00 p.m.  Scotiabank Saddledome
Game 3 Sunday, March 25 5:00 p.m. MTS Centre (Winnipeg, MB)
Game 4 Tuesday, March 27 6:00 p.m. MTS Centre (Winnipeg, MB)
Game 5 Thursday, March 29 6:00 p.m. MTS Centre (Winnipeg, MB)
Game 6 Sunday, April 1 4:00 p.m. Scotiabank Saddledome
Game 7 Tuesday, April 3 7:00 p.m. Scotiabank Saddledome

Kootenay Ice 0 at Calgary Hitmen 3
Saturday, March 17, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Kootenay 0 0 0 - 0
Calgary 0 1 2 - 3

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Simpson Ktn (major-fighting), 1:11; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 1:11; McKinlay Ktn (major-fighting), 1:18; Sutherland Cal (major-fighting), 1:18; Antilla Ktn (tripping), 2:34; Rissling Cal (high sticking), 16:51; Trzonkowski Cal (hooking), 19:28.

2nd Period
1, Calgary, Kosterman 2 (Cheek, Chase), 16:13.
Penalties-Wand Ktn (10-minute misconduct), 20:00.

3rd Period
2, Calgary, Bubnick 35 (Chase), 0:20.
3, Calgary, Bubnick 36 (Chase, Virtanen), 9:24.
Penalties-Montgomery Ktn (delay of game), 2:41; Gayle Cal (cross checking), 4:04; Trzonkowski Cal (high sticking), 9:52; Ismond Ktn (10-minute misconduct), 11:59; Muth Ktn (10-minute misconduct), 11:59; Simpson Ktn (major-fighting), 11:59; Brassart Cal (10-minute misconduct), 11:59; Humphries Cal (major-fighting), 11:59; Dirk Ktn (cross checking), 12:35; Bubnick Cal (tripping), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Kootenay 8-7-10-25. Calgary 5-6-6-17.
Power Play Opportunities-Kootenay 0 / 4; Calgary 0 / 3.
Goalies-Kootenay, Lieuwen 27-20-6-2 (17 shots-14 saves). Calgary, Driedger 24-12-2-1 (25 shots-25 saves).
A-14,982
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Reagan Vetter (79).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Aidan Henderson (78).