Hitmen 5 Wheat Kings 4

Jake Virtanen had a goal and two assists leading the Calgary Hitmen to a 5-4 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings Friday night at Westman Place.

Connor Rankin and Kenton Helgesen both had a goal and an assist for the Hitmen who extended their season high winning streak to nine games.

Elliott Peterson and Adam Tambellini also scored for Calgary who built period leads of 2-0 and 3-1.

Brady Brassart had an assist to extend his career high point scoring streak to 12 games while Chris Driedger made 25 saves to pick up the win in goal.

Jayce Hawryluk, Jesse Gabrielle, Quinton Lisoway and Ryan Pulock replied for Brandon who was outshot 44-29.

The victory improves Calgary’s record to 41-15-3-3 as they remain tied with the Edmonton Oil Kings for first place in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference.  Both clubs have 88 points.

The Hitmen will now wrap up their East Division road trip tomorrow night Regina against the Pats. 

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Brandon Wheat Kings 4
Friday, February 21, 2014 - Westman Place - Brandon, MB

Calgary 2 1 2 - 5
Brandon 0 1 3 - 4

1st Period
1, Calgary, Helgesen 8 (Thomas, Virtanen), 4:07 (PP).
2, Calgary, Peterson 10 (Roach, Helgesen), 18:36.
Penalties-Robinson Bdn (hooking), 2:46; Roy Bdn (tripping), 16:01; Bukarts Bdn (high sticking), 18:42.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Virtanen 39 (Rankin), 2:36.
4, Brandon, Hawryluk 18 (Pankewicz, Roy), 6:35 (PP).
Penalties-Peterson Cal (holding), 5:06; Chase Cal (slashing, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 12:26.

3rd Period
5, Brandon, Gabrielle 9 (Hawryluk, Quenneville), 3:28.
6, Calgary, Tambellini 14 (Thomas), 6:16.
7, Brandon, Lisoway 8   9:19 (SH).
8, Calgary, Rankin 17 (Virtanen, Brassart), 11:06.
9, Brandon, Pulock 19 (Pankewicz, McGauley), 15:33. Penalties-Pankewicz Bdn (interference), 6:29; McGauley Bdn (tripping), 7:24; Peterson Cal (delay of game), 16:31; Rissling Cal (hooking), 19:48.

Shots on Goal
Calgary 19-12-13-44. Brandon 7-5-17-29.

Power Play Opportunities
Calgary 1 / 5; Brandon 1 / 5.

Goalies

Calgary, Driedger 22-13-3-4 (29 shots-25 saves). Brandon, Papirny 19-12-4-2 (44 shots-39 saves).

A-3,703

Referees-Steve Papp (17), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Bryden Hutlet (114), Sean Dufour (50).