The Hitmen Informant

Calgary 5 Medicine Hat 3

2012-02-22T22:20:00.004-07:00

Calgary, AB - Brock Sutherland scored one goal and set up another as the Calgary Hitmen ran their winning streak to four games with a 5-3 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers Wednesday evening at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Danny Gayle, Collin Bowman, Alex Gogolev and Jimmy Bubnick also scored for Calgary while Cody Sylvester, Brady Brassart and Victor Rask all had two assists each.

Brassart finished with a team best +3 rating.

Chris Driedger made 24 saves to record his 19th win of the season and third win in as many starts.

The Hitmen, now 36-22-2-1, move into fourth place in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 75 points, one point ahead of Kootenay and just two back of third place Medicine Hat.

Calgary welcomes the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings Friday, February 24.

Game time is 7:00 p.m. for the Lunar Celebration and Calgary Catholic School District game featuring dragon dancers, post-game fireworks and fortune cookies containing great prizes, including a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas.

Radio broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The FAN starts at 7:00 p.m.

Medicine Hat Tigers 3 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Medicine Hat 0 1 2 - 3
Calgary 1 3 1 - 5

1st Period
1, Calgary, Gayle 15 (Kornelsen, Brassart), 9:48.
Penalties-Bredo M.h (tripping), 7:33.

2nd Period
2, Medicine Hat, Labelle 2 (McKay, Bredo), 4:13.
3, Calgary, Bowman 13 (Brassart, Rask), 10:33.
4, Calgary, Gogolev 24 (Rask, Sutherland), 17:57.
5, Calgary, Sutherland 2 (Clayton, Sylvester), 19:02.
Penalties-Bubnick Cal (hooking), 11:41; Bettauer M.h (slashing), 13:56; Theriau M.h (high sticking), 15:41.

3rd Period
6, Medicine Hat, Valk 23 (Leier, Parkkonen), 4:48 (PP).
7, Calgary, Bubnick 28 (Cheek, Sylvester), 18:42 (EN).
8, Medicine Hat, Sheen 1 (Labelle), 18:57.
Penalties-Valk M.h (holding), 2:30; Sylvester Cal (roughing), 2:30; Gogolev Cal (hooking), 3:05; Busenius M.h (holding), 14:28.

Shots on Goal-Medicine Hat 5-9-13-27. Calgary 10-15-3-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Medicine Hat 1 / 2; Calgary 0 / 4.
Goalies-Medicine Hat, Cameron 2-7-0-1 (25 shots-21 saves); MacAuley 0-0-0-0 (2 shots-2 saves). Calgary, Driedger 19-9-2-1 (27 shots-24 saves).
A-7,788
Referees-Andy Thiessen (11).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Aidan Henderson (78).

1st Period Notes:
-Tiger scratches included 34 win goalie Tyler Bunz and 40 goal sniper Hunter Shinkaruk, both out with upper body day-to-day injuries.
-The first whistle of the first period didn't come until the 7:33 mark.
-Calgary hit three goal posts, two from Rask and one from Bubnick while Cole Grbavac struck iron for Medicine Hat.

2nd Period Notes:
-Calgary AAA Midget Northstars forward Chad LaBelle scored his 2nd career WHL goal in his hometown for the visiting Tigers.
-After Calgary failed to score on back to back powerplay chances that overlapped for a 5-on-3 for 16 seconds, they struck for two goals 65 seconds apart at even strength from Alex Gogolev and Brock Sutherland to turn a 2-1 lead into 4-1.

3rd Period Notes:
-Tigers grab the first 10 shots of the period with Calgary not getting their first shot till just past the 15 minute mark.

Medicine Hat at Calgary

2012-02-22T09:14:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (35-22-2-1) open a five game home stand tonight against the Medicine Hat Tigers (36-20-2-3). Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Hitmen have won three in a row and are coming off Saturday's 5-4 win in Kamloops. The Tigers meanwhile dropped a 5-4 shootout decision on Monday in Edmonton but are 6-2-0-1 in their last nine.

Calgary is 5th in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 73 points, trailing Kootenay by a single point for fourth while leading sixth place Saskatoon by two. Medicine Hat sits third in the conference with 77 points, four points back of Moose Jaw for second and three points ahead of Kootenay.

Photo Credit: Allana Minchau

Tonight is the sixth and final regular season between the two clubs. Medicine Hat has won four of the previous five outscoring the Hitmen by a combined 19-10. Alex Gogolev (2g 1a), Jimmy Bubnick (1g 2a), Spencer Humphries (3a) and Collin Bowman lead the Hitmen with three points each against Medicine Hat while Anaheim Ducks first round pick Emerson Etem tops the Tigers with 11 points (3g 9a).
-Oct. 15 in MH: Tigers 5 Hitmen 0. Tyler Bunz 36 save shutout. Emerson Etem four assists.
-Dec. 4 in CAL: Tigers 2 Hitmen 1. Tyler Bunz 37 saves. Curtis Valk two goals, Emerson Etem two assists.
-Jan. 18 in CAL: Tigers 5 Hitmen 1. Emerson Etem led the Tigers with a pair of goals.
-Jan. 28 in MH: Hitmen 5 Tigers 2. Calgary scored three unanswered third period goals to break a 2-2 tie.
-Feb. 7 in MH: Tigers 5 Hitmen 3. Tyler Bunz made 40 saves while Cole Grbavac snapped a 3-3 third period tie with just under 12 minutes remaining.

HOME SWEET 'DOME: Calgary will play eight of their final 12 regular season games at Scotiabank Saddledome where they are 16-11-0-1 this season.

ROAD WARRIORS: Calgary and Kamloops are tied for the WHL lead in road wins with 19. Medicine Hat has 18.

STREAKIN': Six Hitmen put point scoring streaks on the line tonight. Victor Rask (3g 2a), Brady Brassart (2g 2a) and Joey Kornelsen (1g 3a) all have points in three straight. Greg Chase (1g 2a), Kenton Helgesen (1g 2a) and Collin Bowman (3a) all have points in back-to-back games. Meanwhile eight Tigers are riding point scoring streaks. Hunter Shinkaruk (8g 9a) has points in nine straight for Medicine Hat, but has missed the last five games with an upper body injury. Curtis Valk (3g 5a) has points in four straight. James Bettauer (1g 3a) Matthew Konan (3a), Emerson Etem (1g 1a), Rhyse Dieno (2a), Patrik Parkkonen (2g) and Jayden Hart (1g 1a) have points in back-to-back games. Tyler Bunz has won his last five starts in goal, but has missed the last three games with an upper body injury.

PROTECTING THE LEAD: Both teams are nearly unbeatable when leading after two periods this season. Calgary is 27-0-0-1 while Medicine Hat is 26-2-0-1.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Jimmy Bubnick 27g 34a 61pts
Cody Sylvester 20g 40a 60pts
Brady Brassart 20g 28a 48pts

Medicine Hat
Emerson Etem 52g 40a 92pts
Hunter Shinkaruk 40g 33a 73pts
James Bettauer 19g 30a 49pts

One more note to pass along. Hitmen defenceman Spencer Humphries took a high stick on the weekend against the Kelowna Rockets. Teammate Brooks Macek had a little fun sending out the following tweet with the picture below.

Why so serious @shumper5? You know the batman will eventually get you! #stitches #highstick #batmobile

Stone makes NHL debut

2012-02-19T08:09:00.003-07:00

Michael Stone has become the 37th Calgary Hitmen grad to play at least one game in the National Hockey League. The 21-year-old made his NHL debut Saturday night in the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 overtime win over the Dallas Stars. Wearing number 26, Stone played 11 minutes and 31 seconds on the Coyotes defence and was held off the score sheet.

Photo Credit: Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images

Stone played four seasons with the Hitmen from 2006-07 to 2009-10 scoring a career high 21 goals in his final season and winning a WHL Championship. In that final season the hard shooting rearguard was also named the club's top defenceman and was a WHL First Team Eastern Conference All-Star.

Calgary 5 Kamloops 4

2012-02-18T23:20:00.002-07:00

Kamloops, BC – The Calgary Hitmen swept their three game BC road trip with a 5-4 win over the Canadian Hockey League’s #3 ranked Kamloops Blazers Saturday night at Interior Savings Centre.

Cody Sylvester scored twice and set up another while Jimmy Bubnick had a goal and two assists to lead the Hitmen scoring attack with three points each.

For Bubnick it was his 100th career regular season goal in the Western Hockey League. It came against his former team as Bubnick’s first career goal came as a member of the Blazers back on October 26th, 2007.

Victor Rask and Kenton Helgesen also scored for Calgary who never trailed on the night building three two goal leads of 2-0, 4-2 and 5-3.

Greg Chase and Collin Bowman both chipped in a pair of assists.

Calgary, now 35-22-2-1, moves past both Saskatoon and Kootenay and into sole possession of fourth place in the WHL’s Eastern Conference with 73 points.

The Hitmen will open a five game home stand Wednesday night against Anaheim Ducks prospect Emerson Etem and the Medicine Hat Tigers. Game time at Scotiabank Saddledome is 7:00 p.m.

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Kamloops Blazers 4
Saturday, February 18, 2012 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC

Calgary 2 1 2 - 5
Kamloops 1 1 2 - 4

1st Period
1, Calgary, Sylvester 19 (Chase, Bowman), 6:39 (PP).
2, Calgary, Sylvester 20 (Bubnick, Chase), 7:57 (PP).
3, Kamloops, Smith 30 (Souto, Bozon), 16:46.
Penalties-Madaisky Kam (major-cross checking, game misconduct), 6:01; Needham Kam (high sticking), 13:23; Brassart Cal (major-fighting), 14:02; Lipon Kam (major-fighting), 14:02; Chase Cal (holding), 18:39.

2nd Period
4, Kamloops, Willick 24 (Needham, Ully), 10:09.
5, Calgary, Rask 26 (Brassart, Bowman), 16:35 (PP).
Penalties-Ranford Kam (hooking), 14:40.

3rd Period
6, Calgary, Helgesen 3 (Bubnick, Sylvester), 2:16.
7, Kamloops, Willick 25 (Ranford, Hansen), 13:13 (PP).
8, Calgary, Bubnick 27 (Kornelsen), 15:06.
9, Kamloops, Ranford 34 (Smith, Maschmeyer), 18:07 (PP).
Penalties-Roach Cal (roughing), 11:11; Herrod Kam (high sticking), 11:11; Bubnick Cal (tripping), 12:05; Brassart Cal (roughing), 16:47; Hansen Kam (roughing), 16:47; Gayle Cal (tripping), 17:58; Bowman Cal (roughing), 20:00; Humphries Cal (roughing), 20:00; Lipon Kam (roughing), 20:00; Ranford Kam (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 15-8-8-31. Kamloops 6-6-15-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 3 / 5; Kamloops 2 / 3.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 18-9-2-1 (27 shots-23 saves). Kamloops, Cheveldave 28-9-1-3 (31 shots-26 saves).
A-3,942
Referees-Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Spencer Lockert (84), Tim Digby (75).

Calgary at Kamloops

2012-02-18T12:38:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (34-22-2-1) look to sweep their three game BC road trip tonight as they visit the Kamloops Blazers (41-13-1-3). Internet Broadcast on sportsnet960.ca starts at 8pm MST. The Hitmen have won two in a row and are coming off last night's 7-1 victory in Kelowna. Alex Gogolev had a goal and two assists to lead the scoring attack. The Blazers also played last night but fell 3-2 on home ice to Red Deer, snapping their five game winning streak. Charles Inglis scored the game winner with 2:23 remaining breaking a 2-2 tie.

Calgary is tied for fifth in the WHL's Eastern Conference with the Saskatoon Blades at 71 points, one back of fourth place Kootenay and five points ahead of seventh place Regina. Kamloops meanwhile leads the WHL Standings with 86 points and is ranked #3 in all of the Canadian Hockey League this week. The Blazers have a five point lead over both Tri-City and Portland atop the Western Conference and a three point bulge over Edmonton for number one overall.

Photo Credit: Tricia Mercuri

VS. KAMLOOPS: Tonight is the second and final regular season meeting with the Blazers. Calgary leads the season series 1-0 following a 6-3 win in Kamloops on December 30th. Collin Bowman and Calder Brooks both had three point nights with a goal and two assists each. The Hitmen scored five unanswered goals after Kamloops opened the scoring just past the five minute mark. Jake Virtanen, Brooks Macek, Jimmy Bubnick and Alex Gogolev also scored for Calgary. Calgary is 3-1-1-0 over the last five seasons at Interior Savings Centre.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: KAM 32 CAL 29 Power Plays: CAL 3-8 (37.5%) KAM 2-9 (22.2%)

100 CLUB LOOMING: Jimmy Bubnick has scored 99 goals in his WHL career. Bubnick netted his first goal on October 26, 2007 in a 5-3 victory over the Kelowna Rockets as a member of the Kamloops Blazers.

HOME AND AWAY: Calgary is 18-11-2-0 on the road this season while Kamloops is 22-7-0-0 at home.

STREAKIN’: The line of Alex Gogolev (1g 3a), Victor Rask (2g 2a) and Brady Brassart (2g 1a) has combined for 11 points on this BC road trip. Danny Gayle has also had a strong trip with three goals.

Top Scorers

Calgary:
Jimmy Bubnick 26g 32a 58pts
Cody Sylvester 18g 39a 57pts
Brady Brassart 20g 27a 47pts

Kamloops:
Brendan Ranford 33g 41a 74pts
Colin Smith 29g 38a 67pts
Tim Bozon 28g 29a 57pts

NHL CALL: Hitmen Alumnus Michael Stone (2006-2010) is headed to the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. The defenceman was called up from their AHL affiliate in Portland on Friday. Fellow Hitmen grad Kris Foucault played his first NHL game this past week for the Minnesota Wild.

Calgary 7 Kelowna 1

2012-02-18T00:05:00.003-07:00

Kelowna, BC – The Calgary Hitmen are now 2-0 on their three game BC road trip following a 7-1 win over the Kelowna Rockets Friday night at Prospera Place.

Alex Gogolev led the scoring attack with a goal and two assists while Danny Gayle scored twice.
Brady Brassart, Victor Rask, Greg Chase and Alex Roach also scored for the Hitmen who built period leads of 1-0 and 5-0.

Kenton Helgesen chipped in a pair of assists as 11 different Hitmen had at least a point.

Photo Credit: shootthebreeze.ca

Madison Bowey broke Chris Driedger’s shutout attempt scoring the lone Rockets goal with 36 seconds remaining. Driedger finished with 22 saves.

The Hitmen won the special teams battle going 3-5 on the powerplay while killing all three Rockets chances.

Calgary, now 34-22-2-1, remains tied with Saskatoon for fifth in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference with 71 points.

The Hitmen wrap up their road trip tomorrow night in Kamloops against the WHL leading Blazers.

Click here to listen to an interview with Danny Gayle

Calgary Hitmen 7 at Kelowna Rockets 1
Friday, February 17, 2012 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC

Calgary 1 4 2 - 7
Kelowna 0 0 1 - 1

1st Period
1, Calgary, Brassart 20 (Humphries), 16:29.
Penalties-Bowman Cal (inter. on goaltender), 12:32; Rigby Kel (cross checking), 12:32.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Rask 25 (Cheek, Gogolev), 5:59 (PP).
3, Calgary, Gogolev 23 (Rask, Helgesen), 7:32.
4, Calgary, Chase 4 (Kornelsen), 8:20.
5, Calgary, Roach 4 (Bowman, Gogolev), 18:31 (PP).
Penalties-Brassart Cal (holding), 2:11; Heffley Kel (slashing), 4:52; Severson Kel (hooking), 12:37; Bubnick Cal (hooking), 14:23; Astles Kel (charging), 17:15.

3rd Period
6, Calgary, Gayle 13 (Helgesen), 12:49.
7, Calgary, Gayle 14 (Chase, Roach), 15:20 (PP).
8, Kelowna, Bowey 6 (Baillie, Lyon), 19:24 (SH).
Penalties-Goulbourne Kel (10-minute misconduct), 6:51; Brassart Cal (10-minute misconduct), 9:10; Astles Kel (10-minute misconduct), 9:10; Clayton Cal (roughing), 9:52; Bulmer Kel (slashing), 9:52; Chikie Kel (tripping), 14:36; Clayton Cal (roughing, slashing), 17:21; Heffley Kel (roughing), 17:21; Lyon Kel (10-minute misconduct), 17:21; Chikie Kel (inter. on goaltender), 17:54.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 13-14-11-38. Kelowna 2-9-12-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 3 / 5; Kelowna 0 / 3.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 17-9-2-1 (23 shots-22 saves). Kelowna, Brown 18-21-1-2 (19 shots-16 saves); Cooke 6-6-2-3 (19 shots-15 saves).
A-6,102
Referees-Pat Smith (12).
Linesmen-Mike Langin (67), Kris Hartley (81).

Calgary at Kelowna

2012-02-17T12:29:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (33-22-2-1) play game two of a BC Division road trip tonight in Kelowna against the Rockets (24-26-3-5). Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 8:00 p.m. MST. Both teams are coming off games on Wednesday night. The Hitmen posted a 5-3 win in Victoria to snap a four game losing streak while the Rockets lost 6-3 at home to Edmonton to fall to 0-3-1-1 over their last five games.

Calgary enters play tied with Saskatoon for fifth in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 69 points, just a point behind Kootenay for fourth and three ahead of Regina for seventh. Kelowna meanwhile is sixth in the Western Conference with 56 points. The Rockets are in an unique spot unlikely to move up or down, 13 points back of Spokane for fifth yet 14 points ahead of seventh place Seattle.

Photo Credit: Marissa Baecker

Tonight is the second of three regular season meetings. Calgary leads the season series 1-0. On January 1st, the Hitmen rang in 2012 with a 2-0 victory at Prospera Place. Chris Driedger made 27 saves for his first career WHL shutout. Brooks Macek and Alex Gogolev scored the goals while Jimmy Bubnick and Brock Sutherland both had a pair of assists.

HOME AND AWAY: Calgary is 17-11-2-0 on the road this season while Kelowna is 12-15-0-1 at home.

PROSPERA PLACE: Over their last five seasons the Hitmen have gone 3-4 in Kelowna including a 1-2 mark during the 2009 WHL Championship series.

SCORING DEPTH: Joey Kornelsen netted his 10th goal of the season Wednesday in Victoria becoming 11th Hitmen to reach the double digit mark in goals this season.

Click here to listen to a game day interview with Head Coach Mike Williamson

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Jimmy Bubnick 26g 32a 58pts
Cody Sylvester 18g 39a 57pts
Brady Brassart 19g 27a 46pts

Kelowna
Shane McColgan 15g 41a 56pts
Brett Bulmer 22g 21a 43pts
Colton Sissons 26g 15a 41pts

The Kelowna Rockets head into tonight with a lengthy injury list

#5, Mitchell Chapman, Upper Body, 1-2 weeks
#10, Filip Vasko, Lower body, 3 weeks
#14, Cody Chikie, Upper body, day to day
#15, Colton Sissons, Upper body, 1 month+
#16, Spencer Main, Upper body, 1 month+
#27, Jessey Astles, Upper body, day to day
Suspensions #21, Brett Lyon, 1 games remaining

HITMEN ALUMNUS: Martin Jones is in his his second season of pro hockey with the AHL's Manchester Monarchs. The 21-year-old 13-13-1 with a 2.88 GAA and a .911 save percentage.

Calgary 5 Victoria 3

2012-02-16T08:47:00.002-07:00

Victoria, BC – Brady Brassart, Joey Kornelsen and Victor Rask all had a goal and an assist to lead the Calgary Hitmen to a 5-3 win over the Victoria Royals Wednesday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

The hometown Royals started quick grabbing a 2-0 lead just 1:57 into the opening period.

However the Hitmen rallied with five unanswered goals as Trevor Cheek and Danny Gayle also scored for Calgary who snapped a four game losing streak.

Brandon Glover made 22 saves to pick up the win.

Photo Credit: Jon Howe

Jimmy Bubnick had an assist to improve his point total to 58 setting a new career high.

Calgary, now 33-22-2-1, pulls into a tie with Saskatoon for fifth in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference with 69 points.

They return to action with a pair of games on the road this weekend, Friday in Kelowna before heading to Kamloops on Saturday.

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Victoria Royals 3
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Calgary 2 3 0 - 5
Victoria 2 1 0 - 3

1st Period
1, Victoria, Traber 3 (Zgraggen, Soudek), 1:41.
2, Victoria, Forsyth 2 (Traber), 1:57.
3, Calgary, Brassart 19 (Rask, Gogolev), 7:06.
4, Calgary, Rask 24 (Brassart, Humphries), 13:40.
Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period
5, Calgary, Cheek 20 (Sylvester), 3:37.
6, Calgary, Gayle 12 (Trzonkowski, Kornelsen), 5:17.
7, Victoria, Rintoul 13 (Nelson, Crooks), 14:26.
8, Calgary, Kornelsen 10 15:55.
Penalties-Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 20:00; Soudek Vic (major-fighting), 20:00.

3rd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Sutherland Cal (major-fighting), 8:48; Traber Vic (major-fighting), 8:48; Roach Cal (tripping), 15:42.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 8-6-7-21. Victoria 7-9-9-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 0; Victoria 0 / 1.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 17-12-0-0 (25 shots-22 saves). Victoria, Hamilton 16-29-1-4 (21 shots-16 saves).
A-4,593
Referees-Adam Griffiths (36), Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).

Calgary at Victoria

2012-02-15T12:31:00.005-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (32-22-2-1) open a three game BC Division road trip tonight on Vancouver Island against the Victoria Royals (17-33-2-4). Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Heading in, the Hitmen have dropped four in a row and five of their last six after an impressive 14-1 run. Calgary is coming off Sunday's 4-0 home ice loss to Kootenay. Victoria meanwhile has also had trouble of late having lost three in a row. The Royals haven't played since a February 8th 3-2 home ice loss to Everett.

Calgary sits sixth in the highly competitive Eastern Conference with 67 points, two back of Saskatoon for fifth and three points ahead of seventh place Regina. Victoria meanwhile holds the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot with 40 points. It should be noted that 11 of the 12 Eastern Conference teams have more points than the Royals.

Photo Credit: Jon Howe

Tonight is the second and final regular season meeting between the two clubs. Calgary won the first 9-4 in Victoria on January 3rd. Chase Clayton scored his first career WHL hat-trick while fellow Hitmen Cody Sylvester (1g 2a) and Jimmy Bubnick (2g 2a) both had four point games. The Hitmen out shot the Royals 27-26 while going 3-4 on the powerplay and killing 2 of 3 Victoria chances.

INSIDE THE SLIDE: During Calgary's recent 1-5 run they have been outscored by a combined 26-17, giving up an average of 4.3 goals per game. The special teams battle has also been lopsided with Calgary going just 1-20 (5%) on the powerplay. During that same stretch the opposition powerplay has gone 9-28 (32.1%).

BUBNICK'S BEST: Jimmy Bubnick has tied his WHL career high in points with 57, matching his season totals from the 2008/09 season when he starred for the Kamloops Blazers.

DID YOU KNOW? Victoria has given up a WHL high 270 goals, compared to 179 by the Hitmen.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Jimmy Bubnick 26g 31a 57pts
Cody Sylvester 18g 38a 56pts
Brady Brassart 18g 26a 44pts

Victoria
Jamie Crooks 30g 28a 58pts
Logan Nelson 20g 31a 51pts
Robin Soudek 22g 26a 48pts

NHL WATCH: At 108th among North American skaters, Logan Nelson is the highest ranked Royal by Central Scouting for the 2012 NHL entry draft.

CALGARY INJURY NOTES:
#9, Jaynen Rissling, Lower body, 2 weeks
#19, Calder Brooks, Upper body, 1 week

VICTORIA INJURY NOTES:
#3, Zach Habscheid, Lower body, 1 month+
#18, Brandon Magee, Lower body, day to day
Suspension
#7, Tyler Stahl, 1 game remaining

Foucault makes NHL debut

2012-02-15T12:07:00.001-07:00

Kris Foucault has become the 36th Calgary Hitmen grad to play at least one game in the National Hockey League. The 21-year-old was called up this week by the Minnesota Wild from their AHL affiliate in Houston. Wearing number 72, Foucault made his NHL debut last night in the Wild's 2-1 home ice loss to the Anaheim Ducks. He played 8 minutes and 50 seconds, including 25 seconds on the powerplay and was held off the score sheet.

In 47 games with the Houston Aeros this season, Foucault had 23 points (10g 13a) in his first season of pro hockey.

Foucault played parts of three seasons with the Hitmen joining the club after the 2009 WHL trade deadline from the Kootenay Ice. He was also a member of the 2010 WHL Champion Hitmen.

Today the Wild returned Foucault to Houston while also placing Hitmen Alumnus Carson McMillan on injured reserve with a lower body injury.

Williamson fined

2012-02-13T16:39:00.003-07:00

Calgary Hitmen Head Coach Mike Williamson has been fined $750 by the Western Hockey League for tossing two water bottles on the ice in the third period of Sunday's game against the Kootenay Ice.

Here is the posting from the league office

Mike Williamson, Calgary: $750.00 for game misconduct versus Kootenay on February 12

Former Hitmen get NHL call

2012-02-13T13:10:00.001-07:00

News came Sunday that three former Calgary Hitmen are headed to the National Hockey League. For Ryan White it's a trip back to a place where he has already played 43 career games, but for Ian Schultz and Kris Foucault it's their first taste of the big leagues.

Montreal has summoned both Schultz and White from their AHL affiliate in Hamilton. It's not known yet if either will be in the line-up tonight when the Habs host Carolina.

Click here to see an interview with Ian Schultz

Meanwhile for Foucault, he hopped on a plane yesterday from Minnesota's AHL affiliate Houston to join the Wild who host Anaheim on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Minnesota Wild

Kootenay 4 Calgary 0

2012-02-13T12:57:00.003-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen wrapped up a three game home stand Sunday evening with a 4-0 loss to the Kootenay Ice.

Nathan Lieuwen made 26 saves to record his third shutout of the season. The 20-year-old Buffalo Sabres prospect now has nine career shutouts and has stopped a combined 127 of 134 shots in the season series against the Hitmen for an astonishing .948 save percentage.

Jagger Dirk opened the scoring for the visiting Ice with a first period powerplay goal.

Jaeden Descheneau extended the lead to 2-0 early in the second period on another powerplay goal before Max Reinhart scored on a wrap around late in the frame to make it 3-0 Ice.

The third period saw the ejection of Hitmen Head Coach Mike Williamson for tossing a pair of water bottles onto the ice with the lone goal of the frame coming off the stick of Kootenay defenceman Joey Leach into an empty net.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Kootenay Ice 4 at Calgary Hitmen 0
Sunday, February 12, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Kootenay 1 2 1 - 4
Calgary 0 0 0 - 0

1st Period
1, Kootenay, Dirk 6 (Ismond, Reinhart), 11:14 (PP).
Penalties-Bowman Cal (tripping), 10:18; Humphries Cal (slashing), 16:31; Antilla Ktn (cross checking), 19:35.

2nd Period
2, Kootenay, Descheneau 3 (Czerwonka, Leach), 4:59 (PP).
3, Kootenay, Reinhart 21 (Montgomery, Czerwonka), 17:55.
Penalties-Glover Cal (delay of game), 3:28; Descheneau Ktn (roughing), 7:06; Kornelsen Cal (slashing), 7:06; Leach Ktn (roughing), 9:30; Benoit Ktn (major-fighting), 12:44; Trzonkowski Cal (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 12:44; Reinhart Ktn (10-minute misconduct), 18:54; Wand Ktn (major-fighting), 18:54; Gayle Cal (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 18:54; Czerwonka Ktn (roughing), 19:55; Montgomery Ktn (10-minute misconduct), 19:55; Chase Cal (10-minute misconduct), 19:55; Cheek Cal (10-minute misconduct), 19:55; Sutherland Cal (roughing), 19:55.

3rd Period
4, Kootenay, Leach 9 19:25 (EN).
Penalties-Descheneau Ktn (tripping), 1:02; served by Macek Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd., game - coach), 4:34; Neibrandt Ktn (major-fighting), 10:38; Cheek Cal (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 10:38.

Shots on Goal-Kootenay 9-9-7-25. Calgary 7-11-8-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Kootenay 2 / 7; Calgary 0 / 3.
Goalies-Kootenay, Lieuwen 24-12-4-2 (26 shots-26 saves). Calgary, Glover 16-12-0-0 (16 shots-13
saves); Driedger 16-9-2-1 (8 shots-8 saves).
A-8,948
Referees-Steve Papp (17), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Scott Sharun (103).

Kootenay at Calgary

2012-02-12T10:39:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (32-21-2-1) host Central Division rival Kootenay Ice (30-17-4-4) in a 4:00 p.m. start today at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Hitmen are coming off Friday's 4-2 home ice loss to Moose Jaw while the Ice beat Saskatoon 5-2 in Cranbrook last night.

The Hitmen sit sixth in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 67 points, just a point behind Kootenay for fifth, but five points ahead of seventh place Regina.

HEADING IN: Both teams enter play hungry for a victory. After a stretch that saw the Hitmen win 14 of 15 games, Calgary is just 1-4 since. Kootenay meanwhile snapped a two game losing streak with last night's home ice win over Saskatoon. The Ice are just 3-4-1-1 in their last nine.

Photo Credit: cranbrookphoto.com

VS. KOOTENAY: Today is the fifth of eight meetings. Kootenay leads the season series 3-1 having outscored Calgary by a combined 13-8. Brooks Macek (2g), Danny Gayle (1g, 1a), Victor Rask (1g, 1a), Brady Brassart (2a) and Jaynen Rissling (2a) all have two points each to lead the Hitmen in the season series. Brock Montgomery tops all Ice with six points (6a) against Calgary while goaltender Nathan Lieuwen sports a 1.76 goals against average and a .935 save percentage stopping 101 of 108 shots. Lieuwen also leads the WHL with a 2.30 goals against average. The Hitmen and Ice will meet again on March 3rd in Cranbrook.
-Sept. 24 in KTN: Ice 5 Hitmen 1. Calgary outshot Kootenay 30-18 in the loss.
-Oct. 2 in CAL: Hitmen 4 Ice 2. Calgary erased a 2-1 third period deficit. Victor Rask and Danny Gayle led the Hitmen scoring attack with two points (1g, 1a) each.
-Oct. 23 in CAL: Ice 4 Hitmen 2. Kootenay jumped out to a 3-0 second period lead.
-Feb. 3 in KTN: Ice 2 Hitmen 1. Sam Reinhart scored the game winner, his second of the game, with just one second left in regulation.
                                                  INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CAL 109 KTN 90   Powerplays: CAL 2-20 (10%) KTN 2-13 (15.3%)

POWER OUTAGE: Part of the recent Hitmen struggles of late can be blamed on their lack of special teams production. Calgary is a combined 1-17 (5.9%) on the powerplay in their last five games. During that same stretch the opposition powerplay has gone 7-21 (33.3%).

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary is 16-10-0-1 on home ice this season while Kootenay is 13-9-3-2 on the road.

BUSY DAYS:  Today is Calgary's four game in six days. For Kootenay it's their third game in as many days and also their fourth in six days.

STREAKIN': Trevor Cheek (3g 2a) and Brock Sutherland (1g 4a) are both on four game point streaks. Brady Brassart (2g 2a) is on a three game streak. Jimmy Bubnick (2g 2a) has points in back-to-back games.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Jimmy Bubnick 26g 31a 56pts
Cody Sylvester 18g 38a 56pts
Brady Brassart 18g 26a 44pts

Kootenay
Max Reinhart 20g 39a 59pts
Sam Reinhart 23g 28a 51pts
Jesse Ismond 14g 34a 48pts

WHL NOTEBOOK: Emerson Etem of the Medicine Hat Tigers has one more shot at reaching 50 goals in 50 games. The Tigers host Brandon tonight. Etem enters the contest with 49 goals in 49 games. As an FYI Etem has scored three goals against the Hitmen this season in five games.

Moose Jaw 4 Calgary 2

2012-02-10T23:22:00.001-07:00

Calgary, AB - The Moose Jaw Warriors scored four unanswered goals, including one into an empty net, to edge the Calgary Hitmen 4-2 Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Jimmy Bubnick, with his team-leading 26th goal opened the scoring for Calgary on a first period break-away. Brady Brassart then extended the Hitmen lead to 2-0 with his 18th goal just 14 seconds into the second period.

From that point on it was all Moose Jaw with the turning point coming just past the midway mark of the second period when the Warriors scored twice on a 5-on-3 powerplay to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead.

Former Hitmen Kenton Miller led the Warriors scoring attack with a goal and two assists.

Calgary, now 32-21-2-1, drop to fifth in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 67 points.

They return to action Sunday to host the sixth place Kootenay Ice. Game time is 4:00 p.m. for the Fairmont Palliser Valentine’s Day game.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Moose Jaw Warriors 4 at Calgary Hitmen 2
Friday, February 10, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Moose Jaw 0 3 1 - 4
Calgary 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Bubnick 26 (Bowman, Cheek), 4:44.
Penalties-Rask Cal (interference), 1:27; Chase Cal (hooking), 7:49; Fioretti M.j (roughing), 11:42; Bowman Cal (roughing), 11:42; Miller M.j (interference), 16:16; Braes M.j (roughing), 16:42; Cheek Cal (roughing), 16:42; Henry M.j (major-fighting), 20:00; Cheek Cal (major-fighting), 20:00.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Brassart 18 (Bubnick, Sutherland), 0:16.
3, Moose Jaw, Arnold 10 (White, Ehrhardt), 6:17.
4, Moose Jaw, Braes 31 (Kirsch, Miller), 13:37 (PP).
5, Moose Jaw, Henry 11 (Miller, Kirsch), 14:20 (PP).
Penalties-Roach Cal (hooking), 3:29; Eberle M.j (roughing), 7:59; Humphries Cal (high sticking), 7:59; McIlrath M.j (10-minute misconduct), 9:12; Brassart Cal (10-minute misconduct), 9:12; Gogolev Cal (hooking), 13:25; Humphries Cal (roughing), 13:25; Ehrhardt M.j (elbowing), 17:37.

3rd Period
6, Moose Jaw, Miller 22 (Siemens), 19:36 (EN).
Penalties-Sutherland Cal (charging), 4:13; Humphries Cal (tripping), 14:49.

Shots on Goal-Moose Jaw 6-9-10-25. Calgary 11-8-4-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Moose Jaw 2 / 7; Calgary 0 / 2.
Goalies-Moose Jaw, Siemens 27-10-3-2 (23 shots-21 saves). Calgary, Driedger 16-9-2-1 (24 shots-21 saves).
A-9,026
Referees-Cole Hamm (51), Matt Thurston (64).
Linesmen-Justin Hull (49), Ian Shaver (74).

Moose Jaw at Calgary

2012-02-10T09:36:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (32-20-2-1) host Canadian World Junior Quinton Howden and the Moose Jaw Warriors (33-15-5-1) tonight at Scotiabank Saddledome. Game time is 7:00 p.m.  It's Student Night. Show your student I.D. to receive a special ticket rate of $8.  Fans are invited to "Get Your Head in the Game" with Great Clips. Visit Great Clips on the concourse and make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to receive a haircut or Hitmen hockey hair colouring. If you can't make the game, Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 7:00 p.m.

Calgary is coming off Wednesday's humbling 9-5 home ice loss to the CHL's #7 ranked Edmonton Oil Kings while Moose Jaw faired much better on Wednesday posting a 5-3 win in Lethbridge.

HISTORY LESSON: The last time the Hitmen surrendered nine goals in a single game happened on the road in Brandon on January 7th, 2011 in a 9-2 loss to the Wheat Kings. However you have to go all the way back to October 14th, 2002 for the last time the Hitmen gave up nine or more on home ice. That night they were beaten 10-4 by the visiting Prince George Cougars. Brady Block was left in net for all 10 goals against on a night where the Hitmen actually outshot the Cougars 40-30.  A combined five players from both teams in the line-up that day went on to play in the NHL: Dan Hamhuis and Derek Boogaard for PG, Johnny Boychuk, Ryan Getzlaf and Fredrik Sjostrom for Calgary.

Calgary is currently tied with Saskatoon for fourth in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 67 points just a point ahead of Kootenay and three back of Medicine Hat. Moose Jaw is the number two seed with 72 points, two ahead of Medicine Hat and six points behind Edmonton.

                                               Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Calgary and Moose Jaw have met three times this season with Calgary grabbing five of a possible six points. Trevor Cheek leads the Hitmen with five points (1g 4a) while Cody Sylvester (3g 1a), Brady Brassart (2g 2a) and Jimmy Bubnick (4a) have four points each. Cam Braes leads all Warriors with eight points (5g 3a) against the Hitmen, but all eight came as a member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Quinton Howden is next with four points (2g 2a). Tonight is their final regular season clash.
-Nov. 6 in MJ: Warriors 3 Hitmen 2 OT. The Warriors overcame a 2-0 first period deficit with Quinton Howden scoring the winner 1:22 into sudden death.
-Nov. 23 in MJ: Hitmen 5 Warriors 2. Cody Sylvester led the way for Calgary with 2g 1a.
-Jan. 13 in CAL: Hitmen 5 Warriors 2. Trevor Cheek had three points in the win (1g 2a).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on goal: Calgary 95 Moose Jaw 90 Powerplays: Calgary 1-12 Moose Jaw 3-16

FORMER TEAMMATES SQUARE OFF: The Calgary roster features four former Moose Jaw Warriors: Collin Bowman, Danny Gayle, Brandon Glover and Joey Kornelsen. Meanwhile Moose Jaw has three former Hitmen: Cody Beach, Justin Kirsch and Kenton Miller.

DID YOU KNOW? Former Hitmen Kenton Miller has scored the game winning goal in the last five Warrior wins.

HEADING IN: Calgary has dropped three of their last four, but is 16-9-0-1 on home ice this season. Moose Jaw has won two straight going 8-1-1-0 in their last 10. However the Warriors are two games under .500 on the road this season at 10-12-3-0.

OFF SUSPENSION: Warriors defenceman and New York Rangers first round pick Dylan McIlrath returns to the line-up tonight following an eight game suspension for a checking to the head major against Victoria on January 18th.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 18g 38a 56pts
Jimmy Bubnick 25g 30a 55pts
Brady Brassart 17g 26a 43pts

Moose Jaw
Cam Braes 30g 31a 61pts
James Henry 10g 42a 52pts
Quinton Howden 23g 25a 48pts

HITMEN ALUMNI: Former Hitmen Alex Plante and Dylan Yeo returned to Scotiabank Saddledome last night as their Oklahoma City Barons beat the Abbotsford Heat 4-0 in a battle between the Flames and Oilers AHL affiliates. Yeo was +2 in the victory while Plante was +1.

Edmonton 9 Calgary 5

2012-02-08T22:38:00.002-07:00

One day after a full moon, the effects may have still lingered as the Calgary Hitmen and Edmonton Oil Kings combined for 14 goals in a 9-5 win by the Oil Kings Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The games turning point came just past the midway point of the second period when Edmonton scored four times in a span of 4:26 turning a 3-3 tie into a 7-3 lead.

Just prior the Hitmen had roared back from a 3-1 deficit scoring twice in 64 seconds to pull even on goals from Victor Rask and Jimmy Bubnick.

T.J. Foster and Tyler Maxwell both recorded hat-tricks for the WHL's Eastern Conference leaders who improve to 4-1 in the season series against Calgary.

At 78 points, Edmonton tops the conference by six points over Moose Jaw, while Calgary remains at 67 points, but is now tied for fourth with Saskatoon who grabbed an 4-3 shootout win over Swift Current to pull even.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Edmonton Oil Kings 9 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB
Edmonton 2 5 2 - 9
Calgary 1 2 2 - 5
1st Period
1, Calgary, Brassart 17 (Bubnick, Cheek), 11:59.
2, Edmonton, Foster 20   15:32 (PP).
3, Edmonton, Legault 12 (Samuelsson), 17:56.
Penalties-Lowe Edm (major-fighting), 5:16; Bowman Cal (major-fighting), 5:16; Samuelsson Edm (tripping), 6:14; Reinhart Edm (cross checking), 19:54.

2nd Period
4, Edmonton, Sieben 2 (Moroz), 2:18.
5, Calgary, Rask 23 (Gogolev), 9:53.
6, Calgary, Bubnick 25 (Gayle, Brassart), 10:57.
7, Edmonton, Maxwell 30 (Pysyk, St. Croix), 13:29.
8, Edmonton, Maxwell 31   15:50.
9, Edmonton, Rachinski 18 (Gernat, Wilson), 16:59.
10, Edmonton, Foster 21 (Wruck, Gernat), 17:55.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (hooking), 7:48; Trzonkowski Cal (hooking), 13:55.

3rd Period
11, Calgary, Sutherland 1 (Trzonkowski, Clayton), 3:08.
12, Edmonton, Foster 22   3:45.
13, Calgary, Kornelsen 9 (Sutherland, Brooks), 4:01.
14, Edmonton, Maxwell 32 (Wruck, St. Croix), 19:34.
Penalties-Maxwell Edm (tripping), 0:36; Lowe Edm (roughing), 19:50; Sieben Edm (roughing), 19:50; Bubnick Cal (roughing), 19:50; Gayle Cal (high sticking, roughing), 19:50; Rachinski Edm (cross checking), 20:00; Roach Cal (cross checking), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Edmonton 12-13-7-32. Calgary 8-10-7-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Edmonton 1 / 2; Calgary 0 / 3.
Goalies-Edmonton, Brossoit 31-10-2-3 (25 shots-20 saves). Calgary, Driedger 16-8-2-1 (24 shots-17 saves); Glover 16-11-0-0 (8 shots-6 saves).
A-7,440
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Ryan Bonnett (39).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Sean Donnelly (109).

Edmonton at Calgary

2012-02-08T10:26:00.004-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (32-19-2-1) open a three game home stand tonight when they welcome the Edmonton Oil Kings (35-12-2-4) to Scotiabank Saddledome. The Hitmen are coming off last night's 5-3 loss in Medicine Hat, a game where they out shot the Tigers 43-24. The Oil Kings meanwhile were 3-1 winners at home yesterday afternoon over the Kootenay Ice. Griffin Reinhart had a goal and an assist to lead the Edmonton scoring attack.

Calgary enters play with 67 points, good for third in the WHL's Eastern Conference, three points back of both Medicine Hat and Moose Jaw who sit tied for second and just a point ahead of Kootenay who occupies fifth. Edmonton meanwhile leads the Eastern Conference with 76 points. They are also ranked #7 in the Canadian Hockey League Top 10 Rankings this week.

VS. EDMONTON: Tonight is the fifth of six meetings with the Oil Kings. Edmonton leads the season series 3-1 with the home team victorious in all four games. Cody Sylvester (2g, 4a) leads the Hitmen in the series with six points Tyler Maxwell (3g 2a) and Cody Corbett (5a) both top the Oil Kings with five points. Last season Edmonton won five of six meetings with Calgary.
- Dec. 1 in EDM: Oil Kings 6 Hitmen 1. Mark Pysyk led the Oil Kings with three assists.
- Dec. 6 in EDM: Oil Kings 6 Hitmen 2. Griffen Reinhart had 1g 2a for Edmonton.
-Dec. 17 in EDM: Oil Kings 2 Hitmen 1. Cody Corbett had two assists for the Oil Kings who out shot Calgary 33-22.
-Jan. 15 in CAL: Hitmen 4 Oil Kings 3. Jimmy Bubnick scored twice.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CAL 110 EDM 110 Power Plays: CAL 3-20 (15%) EDM 6-21 (28.6%)

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 18g 38a 56pts
Jimmy Bubnick 24g 29a 53pts
Victor Rask 22g 19a 41pts
Brady Brassart 16g 25a 41pts

Edmonton
Michael St. Croix 34g 48a 82pts
Dylan Wruck 18g 48a 66pts
Tyler Maxwell 29g 26a 55pts

Medicine Hat 5 Calgary 3

2012-02-07T22:00:00.001-07:00

Medicine Hat, AB – Edmonton Oilers prospect Tyler Bunz made 40 saves as the Medicine Hat Tigers beat the visiting Calgary Hitmen 5-3 Tuesday night at The Arena.

Tigers forward Cole Grbavac (Gur-ba-vack) broke a 3-3 third period tie just over eight minutes into the final frame before Anaheim Ducks prospect Emerson Etem scored his Western Hockey League leading 49th goal with under three minutes remaining to add an insurance marker.

Victor Rask and Alex Gogolev both scored their 22nd goals of the season while Trevor Cheek added his 19th for the Hitmen.

The win moves Medicine Hat into a tie with Moose Jaw for second place in the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the fourth place Hitmen.

Calgary, 32-19-2-1, returns to the Scotiabank Saddledome tomorrow night to open a three game home stand against the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. The Hitmen will also host Moose Jaw Friday and the Kootenay Ice on Sunday.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs or Group Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

Calgary Hitmen 3 at Medicine Hat Tigers 5
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - Medicine Hat Arena

Calgary 2 1 0 - 3
Medicine Hat 2 1 2 - 5

1st Period
1, Medicine Hat, Cox 8 (Dieno, Grbavac), 3:21.
2, Calgary, Rask 22 (Gogolev, Roach), 9:07 (PP).
3, Calgary, Gogolev 22 (Bowman, Brassart), 11:26.
4, Medicine Hat, Theriau 1 (Leier, Parkkonen), 17:08 (PP).
Penalties-Parkkonen M.h (delay of game), 1:06; Theriau M.h (cross checking), 8:26; Brassart Cal (hooking), 15:11.

2nd Period
5, Calgary, Cheek 19 (Sutherland), 6:08 (SH).
6, Medicine Hat, Dieno 2 (Bredo), 6:50 (PP).
Penalties-Gayle Cal (hooking), 4:57.

3rd Period
7, Medicine Hat, Grbavac 9 (Valk), 8:10.
8, Medicine Hat, Etem 49 (Shinkaruk, Valk), 17:49 (PP).
Penalties-Kosterman Cal (delay of game), 15:50.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 17-18-8-43. Medicine Hat 13-4-7-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 2; Medicine Hat 3 / 3.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 16-11-0-0 (24 shots-19 saves). Medicine Hat, Bunz 32-14-2-2 (43 shots-40 saves).
A-4,006
Referees-Trevor Hanson (19), Kevin Webinger (6).
Linesmen-Darren Holeha (47), Greg Sarauer (68).

Calgary at Medicine Hat

2012-02-07T09:01:00.001-07:00

Sorry this blog has ran quiet for the last several days, but my hard drive died. I am happy to report that it's all systems go once again. HUGE thanks to the IT Department for the fix!!

The Calgary Hitmen (32-18-2-1) wrap up a three game road trip tonight in Medicine Hat against the Tigers (32-18-2-2). Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 7:00 p.m. The Hitmen are 1-1 on the roadie so far, falling 2-1 to the Kootenay Ice before beating Red Deer 6-2 on Saturday. The Tigers are back home after a 2-0 road trip posting wins of 3-2 in Prince Albert on Friday and 7-2 in Medicine Hat on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Medicine Hat Tigers

The Hitmen have 67 points, trailing Medicine Hat by just a single point in the race for third in the WHL's Eastern Conference. Calgary also has company on their tail with Kootenay sitting just a point back of the Hitmen in the battle for fourth.

Tonight is the fifth of six meetings between the two teams. Medicine Hat leads the season series 3-1 having outscored Calgary by a combined 14-7. Jimmy Bubnick (1g 2a) and Spencer Humphries (3a) lead the Hitmen with three points each against Medicine Hat while Anaheim Ducks first round pick Emerson Etem tops the Tigers with 10 points (2g 8a) in four games.
-Oct. 15 in MH: Tigers 5 Hitmen 0. Tyler Bunz 36 save shutout. Emerson Etem four assists.
-Dec. 4 in CAL: Tigers 2 Hitmen 1. Tyler Bunz 37 saves. Curtis Valk two goals, Emerson Etem two assists.
-Jan. 18 in CAL: Tigers 5 Hitmen 1. Emerson Etem led the Tigers with a pair of goals.
-Jan. 28 in MH: Hitmen 5 Tigers 2. Calgary scored three unanswered third period goals to break a 2-2 tie.

DID YOU KNOW? Victor Rask returns to the Hitmen line-up tonight after serving a two game suspension.

NEAR RECORD: Jimmy's Bubnick's five points against Red Deer on Saturday was just shy of the franchise record of six points in a single game which has happened on four previous occasions.
-Brad Moran Jan 11/1998 PA (3g 3a),
-Brad Moran March 15/1998 RD (4g 2a)
-Pavel Brendl Nov 21/1999 vs Portland (4g 2a)
-Kris Beech Jan 29/2000 at Portland (3g 3a)

Calgary is 16-10-2-0 on the road this season while Medicine Hat is 14-10-1-1 at home.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 18g 38a 56pts
Jimmy Bubnick 24g 29a 53pts
Victor Rask 21g 19a 40pts
Brady Brassart 16g 24a 40pts

Medicine Hat
Emerson Etem 48g 37a 85pts
Hunter Shinkaruk 40g 30a 70pts
James Bettauer 18g 26a 44pts

Kootenay 2 Calgary 1

2012-02-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

Cranbrook, BC – The Kootenay Ice got a buzzer beater to defeat the Calgary Hitmen 2-1 Friday night at the Cranbrook RecPlex.

Sam Reinhart scored his second goal of the game with just one second left in the third period to produce the game winning goal.

Reinhart’s first goal of the night just over four minutes into the first period gave Kootenay a 1-0 lead they would hold until the third period.

Jimmy Bubnick, with his 22nd of the season, pulled Calgary even with 4:27 left in regulation.
Both goaltenders made several big saves with Nathan Lieuwen making 28 stops in the win for Kootenay while Brandon Glover recorded 23 saves in the Hitmen net.

Calgary, now 31-18-2-1, returns to action tomorrow night in Red Deer against the Rebels. Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 7:00 p.m. with a 30 minute pre-game show.

Calgary Hitmen 1 at Kootenay Ice 2
Friday, February 3, 2012 - Cranbrook Rec. Complex - Cranbrook, BC

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

1st Period
1, Kootenay, Reinhart 21 (McKinlay), 4:05.
Penalties-Roach Cal (roughing), 6:36; Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 10:27; Simpson Ktn (major-fighting), 10:27; Montgomery Ktn (kneeing), 11:47.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (interference), 10:28; Pearce Ktn (slashing), 10:28; Leach Ktn (tripping), 10:47; Antilla Ktn (tripping), 16:10; Sylvester Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd., unsportsmanlike cnd.), 16:35; Czerwonka Ktn (unsportsmanlike cnd., unsportsmanlike cnd.), 16:35.

3rd Period
2, Calgary, Bubnick 22 (Kosterman, Helgesen), 15:33.
3, Kootenay, Reinhart 22 (Dirk, McKinlay), 19:59.
Penalties-Czerwonka Ktn (hooking), 5:42; served by Ktn (too many men), 10:13; Gayle Cal (slashing), 13:46; Pearce Ktn (tripping), 15:05; Leach Ktn (checking to the head), 18:45; Bubnick Cal (holding), 19:06.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 6-9-14-29. Kootenay 11-5-9-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 7; Kootenay 0 / 2.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 16-10-0-0 (25 shots-23 saves). Kootenay, Lieuwen 21-11-4-2 (29 shots-28 saves).
A-2,720
Referees-Sean Raphael (28), Pat Smith (12).
Linesmen-Jeff Jobson (52), Ian Shaver (74).

Driedger named WHL Goalie of the Month

2012-02-03T10:33:00.003-07:00

This from the WHL Office today. It's also worthy to note it's the second time this award has gone to a Hitmen goalie this season. Brandon Glover was the November winner.

CALGARY, AB. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Chris Driedger, of the Calgary Hitmen, has been named the VAUGHN WHL Goaltender of the Month for January.

The 17-year-old top NHL prospect posted a 6-0 record through January with two shut-outs. Driedger’s 1.29 goals-against average and 0.954 save percentage led all WHL goaltenders in January, allowing just eight goals on 173 shots-against in 371 minutes played. His efforts also earned him 1st Star selection three times through the month.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Driedger’s consistent play helped the Hitmen to a 13-1-0-0 record in January and now found themselves in third spot in the WHL Eastern Conference standings with a 31-17-2-1 record for 65 points. A Winnipeg, MB native, Driedger was originally a 4th round WHL Draft pick of the Tri-City Americans before the joining the Hitmen at the start of the season. A late roster addition for the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game this past week, he stopped all 14 shots faced in his 30 minutes of play in the showcase event.

His accomplishments make Chris Driedger a deserving choice as the VAUGHN WHL Goaltender of the Month for January.

Calgary at Kootenay

2012-02-03T09:33:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (31-17-2-1) open a three game road trip tonight in Cranbrook against the Kootenay Ice (27-15-4-4). The Hitmen have won six in a row and 14 of their last 15 games. However tonight is their first game since last Sunday's 4-1 home ice win over the Tri-City Americans. Kootenay meanwhile is winless in their last four going 0-2-1-1 including a 5-4 overtime loss in Spokane in their last outing Saturday night.

At 65 points the Hitmen enter play third in the WHL's Eastern Conference, three points back of Moose Jaw for second and a point ahead of Medicine Hat. Kootenay has 62 points to sit sixth in the conference, one point back of Saskatoon and four up on Regina.

Justin Kirsch was still a Hitmen the last time these two teams met

VS. KOOTENAY: Tonight is the fourth of eight meetings with the Ice. Kootenay leads the season series 2-1. Brooks Macek (2g), Danny Gayle (1g, 1a), Victor Rask (1g, 1a) and Jaynen Rissling (2a) have two points each to lead the Hitmen in the season series. Brock Montgomery leads all Ice with six points (6a) against Calgary while goaltender Nathan Lieuwen sports a .924 save percentage.
    - Sept. 24 in KTN: Ice 5 Hitmen 1. Calgary outshot Kootenay 30-18 in the loss.
    - Oct. 2 in CAL: Hitmen 4 Ice 2. Calgary erased a 2-1 third period deficit to beat Kootenay 4-2. Victor Rask and Danny Gayle led the Hitmen scoring attack with two points (1g, 1a) each.
    - Oct. 23 in CAL: Ice 4 Hitmen 2. Kootenay jumped out to a 3-0 second period lead.
                                                  INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CAL 80 KTN 65   Power Plays: CAL 2-13 (15.3%) KTN 2-11 (18.1%)   Next Meeting: Sun., Feb. 12 in Calgary

BC BATTLES: Calgary has fared well this season when taking on teams based out of British Columbia. In 10 contests, the Hitmen have a record of 7-3-0-0 against BC squads, which includes a 4-1-0-0 mark during their road trip out west in December. Calgary will play eight more games against BC teams this season following today’s matchup.

TOP PROSPECT: Winnipeg, MB, native Chris Driedger returns to the Hitmen lineup after attending the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game on February 1. Driedger was ranked 12th among North American Goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting in their midterm rankings. Driedger suited up for Team Orr, coached by former NHL head coach Pat Quinn and pitched a 14 save shutout in his 30 minutes of work. The last Hitmen player to suit up in the Top Prospects Game was Matt MacKenzie in 2010.

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS: Special teams have played a large role in Calgary’s success this season. In games which Calgary scores a power play goal, they hold a record of 23-8-0-1. In contests which the Hitmen allow a goal on the man advantage, they are 15-14-0-1.

STREAKIN’: Collin Bowman (1g, 5a) is currently riding a three-game point streak and is +3 in as many outings. Alex Gogolev has three points (2g, 1a) in back-to-back contests. Jimmy Bubnick has 17 points (7g, 10a) in his last 14 games while Cody Sylvester has 16 (3g, 13a), Brady Brassart has 14 (5g, 9a) and Chase Clayton has 12 (9g, 3a) over the same span. Chris Driedger has won his last six starts while Brandon Glover has won his last two.

CAREER WATCH: Jimmy Bubnick needs six more goals to reach 100 in his WHL career.

WHL LEADERS: Victor Rask is tied for fifth in WHL rookie scoring with 40 points (21g, 19a) while Alex Gogolev is eighth with 38 points (21g, 17a). Rask and Gogolev’s 21 goals place them in a tie for second among WHL rookie snipers in that category. Collin Bowman is 15th among WHL defencemen with 35 points (12g, 23a). His 12 goals are tied for the fourth most among WHL rearguards. Netminder Chris Driedger is tenth among WHL goaltenders with a 2.68 goals against average and 0.900 save percentage. Calgary has the fourth ranked penalty kill in the WHL at 82.6%. The penalty killing unit’s 11 shorthanded goals also places them fourth in the WHL.

UP NEXT: The Hitmen are in Red Deer tomorrow. Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 7:00 p.m. with a 30 minute pre-game show. Calgary then heads to Medicine Hat on Tuesday before returning to Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday, February 8th for a 7:00 p.m. home ice contest against the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings.

Driedger perfect at CHL Top Prospects Game

2012-02-02T08:35:00.002-07:00

Calgary Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger was named a last week injury replacement to the CHL Top Prospects Game, but the 17-year-old proved Wednesday night maybe he should have been invited from the get go.

Driedger got the start for Team Orr and pitched a shutout in his 30 minutes of work making 14 saves. Team Orr went on to win the game played in Kelowna, BC by a score of 2-1.

As an FYI the last Hitmen player to suit up in the CHL Top Prospects Game was Matt Mackenzie in 2010.

Hitmen Alumnus Matt Mackenzie

2012-02-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

Matt Mackenzie was recently back in Calgary for the AHL All-Star Break. Now with the Rochester Americans, Mackenzie spent three and a half seasons on the Hitmen defence highlighted by a Western Hockey League Championship in 2010.

Ken Thrower and I had a chance to catch up with Matt.

Click here to listen

Rask suspended

2012-02-01T08:52:00.003-07:00

The Western Hockey League has suspended Hitmen forward Victor Rask two games for his five minute major checking from behind penalty in Sunday's game against Tri-City. Here is the official wording from the WHL

Victor Rask, Calgary: Two games for cfb major and g.m. versus Tri-Cities on January 29.

Rask has been a impact rookie for the Hitmen this season, currently tied for fifth in WHL Rookie Scoring with 40 points (21g 19a) in 45 games. He will sit both Friday's game in Cranbrook against the Kootenay Ice and Saturday's game in Red Deer against the Rebels.

Calgary 4 Tri-City 1

2012-01-29T23:06:00.004-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen extended their winning streak to six games with a 4-1 home ice win over the Tri-City Americans Sunday afternoon.

The Hitmen scored four unanswered goals, including two second period markers 29 seconds apart.

Brady Brassart, Danny Gayle, Alex Gogolev and Chase Clayton each scored for Calgary while Collin Bowman led the Hitmen with three assists. Brian Williams had the lone goal for Tri-City who opened the scoring early in the second period.

Chris Driedger made 16 saves against his former team to record his sixth win in as many starts for a season total of 15. Ty Rimmer made 31 saves in the loss.

The Hitmen are now 31-17-2-1 on the season. At 65 points, Calgary moves into third in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of fourth place Medicine Hat and three points behind second place Moose Jaw.

Tri-City drops to 35-12-1-1.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Tri-City Americans 1 at Calgary Hitmen 4
Sunday, January 29, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Tri-City 0 1 0 - 1
Calgary 0 2 2 - 4

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Dallman T.c (high sticking, high sticking), 7:21; Yuen T.c (interference), 11:42; Humphries Cal (holding), 13:35; Roach Cal (interference), 18:42.

2nd Period
1, Tri-City, Williams 7 (Dallman, Topping), 4:21.
2, Calgary, Brassart 16 16:21 (PP).
3, Calgary, Gayle 10 (Bowman, Chase), 16:50.
Penalties-Rask Cal (inter. on goaltender), 1:47; Dallman T.c (interference), 8:04; Cheek Cal (holding), 8:45; Hughesman T.c (delay of game), 14:54.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Gogolev 21 (Sylvester), 10:47.
5, Calgary, Clayton 11 (Gogolev, Bowman), 14:33.
Penalties-Yuen T.c (hooking), 1:48; Rask Cal (major-check/behind, game misconduct), 2:35; Strömwall T.c (hooking), 7:50; Mychan T.c (slashing), 19:41; Shinnimin T.c (slashing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Tri-City 6-7-4-17. Calgary 12-8-15-35.
Power Play Opportunities-Tri-City 0 / 5; Calgary 1 / 8.
Goalies-Tri-City, Rimmer 20-8-0-1 (35 shots-31 saves). Calgary, Driedger 15-7-2-1 (17 shots-16 saves).
A-11,236
Referees-Matt Kirk (4), Nathan Wieler (18).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Ian Shaver (74).

Tri-City at Calgary

2012-01-29T11:56:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (30-17-2-1) winners of five in a row and 13 of their last 14 host the Tri-City Americans (35-11-1-1) today in a 4:00 p.m. start at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary is coming off last night's 5-2 win in Medicine Hat while the Americans dropped a 3-2 overtime decision Friday night in Red Deer.

Calgary enters the contest fourth in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 63 points, trailing Medicine Hat by a single point for third. Tri-City is second in the Western Conference with 72 points, two points back of front running Kamloops. The Americans are also ranked #3 in the Canadian Hockey League Top 10 Rankings this week.

Today is the first and only meeting between the two clubs but there is a lot of familiarity between several players. Four current Hitmen once played for Tri-City: Chris Driedger, Spencer Humphries, Brooks Macek and Brock Sutherland while the Americans line-up has former Hitmen forward Nathan MacMaster.

Over the last five seasons Calgary is 1-2-0-1 against the Americans including a 1-0-0-1 record at the 'Dome.

DID YOU KNOW? Calgary is 16-3-0-0 when leading after the first period while Tri-City is 18-3-1-0 when leading after 20 minutes.

WHL LEADERS: Tri-City's Adam Hughesman, Brendan Shinnimin and Patrick Holland are three of the Top 10 scorers in the WHL. Americans goalie Ty Rimmer leads the WHL with a 2.19 GAA while teammate Eric Comrie is eighth at 2.62. Hitmen puckstopper Chris Driedger is tied for 10th at 2.74. Hitmen imports Victor Rask and Alex Gogolev are both Top 10 in rookie scoring. Rask is tied for fifth while Gogolev is ninth.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 17g 36a 53pts
Jimmy Bubnick 21g 26a 47pts
Victor Rask 21g 19a 40pts

Tri-City
Adam Hughesman 29g 47a 76pts
Brendan Shinnimin 29g 45a 74pts
Patrick Holland 20g 47a 67pts

Calgary 5 Medicine Hat 2

2012-01-28T23:09:00.002-07:00

Medicine Hat, AB – Alex Gogolev and Trevor Cheek both scored in the first four minutes of the third period to break a 2-2 tie lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 5-2 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers Saturday night at The Arena.

Joey Kornelsen into an empty net, Alex Roach and Danny Gayle also scored for the red hot Hitmen who have now won five in a row and 13 of their last 14 games.

Calgary built a 2-0 first period lead before the Tigers drew even on second period goals from James Bettauer and Hunter Shinkaruk.

Brandon Glover won the battle between the pipes making 28 saves in the Hitmen net to pick up the win. Tigers goalie Tyler Bunz made 33 saves in the loss.

Special teams also played a large role with Calgary going 3-3 on the powerplay, while Medicine Hat went 2-5.

The win was Calgary’s first over the Tigers in four tries this season and improves their overall record to 30-17-2-1. At 63 points the Hitmen pull within a point of Medicine Hat for third in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.

Calgary returns to action tomorrow afternoon against the U-S Division leading Tri-City Americans. Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome for the Wendy’s Novice Development Day game.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

Click here to listen to a post game interview with Trevor Cheek

Photo Credit: Double E Photography and whl.ca

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Medicine Hat Tigers 2
Saturday, January 28, 2012 - Medicine Hat Arena

Calgary 2 0 3 - 5
Medicine Hat 0 2 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Roach 3 (Bowman, Brassart), 15:59 (PP).
2, Calgary, Gayle 9 (Bowman, Bubnick), 17:47 (PP).
Penalties-Konan M.h (high sticking, high sticking), 15:30.

2nd Period
3, Medicine Hat, Bettauer 18 (Etem, Konan), 7:41 (PP).
4, Medicine Hat, Shinkaruk 36 (Etem, Valk), 12:03 (PP).
Penalties-Rissling Cal (hooking), 7:15; Brooks Cal (inter. on goaltender), 10:38; Gayle Cal (slashing), 16:23; Lewington M.h (tripping), 19:37.

3rd Period
5, Calgary, Gogolev 20 (Rask, Humphries), 1:28 (PP).
6, Calgary, Cheek 16 (Bubnick, Kosterman), 3:02.
7, Calgary, Kornelsen 8 (Humphries) 19:18 (EN).
Penalties-Brassart Cal (slashing), 7:28; Bubnick Cal (inter. on goaltender), 14:00; Roach Cal (roughing), 18:04; Konan M.h (roughing), 18:04.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 14-14-11-39. Medicine Hat 8-10-12-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 3 / 3; Medicine Hat 2 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 16-9-0-0 (30 shots-28 saves). Medicine Hat, Bunz 29-13-2-2 (38 shots-34 saves).
A-4,006
Referees-Pat Smith (12), Colin Stefanyk (14).
Linesmen-Darren Holeha (47), Matthew Sanders (70).

Calgary at Medicine Hat

2012-01-28T14:19:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (29-17-2-1) are in Medicine Hat tonight to face the Tigers (30-16-2-2). Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 7:00 p.m. with a 30 minute pre-game show. The Hitmen enter the contest having won 12 of their last 13 including last night's 2-0 home ice win over Vancouver. Medicine Hat is riding a six game winning streak and coming off last night's 8-2 victory in Lethbridge

Calgary enters play with 61 points, tied with Saskatoon for fourth in the WHL's Eastern Conference. The Tigers sit third with 64 points, just two back of second place Moose Jaw.

Tonight is the fourth of six meetings between the two teams. Medicine Hat leads the season series 3-0 having outscored Calgary by a combined 12-2. Tigers goalie and Edmonton Oilers prospect Tyler Bunz has been sensational against the Hitmen stopping 102 of 104 shots for a 3-0 record with a .67 goals against average and a .981 save percentage. Anaheim Ducks first round pick Emerson Etem has also been a star with eight points (2g 6a) in three games.
-Oct. 15 in MH: Tigers 5 Hitmen 0. Tyler Bunz 36 save shutout. Emerson Etem four assists.
-Dec. 4 in CAL: Tigers 2 Hitmen 1. Tyler Bunz 37 saves. Curtis Valk two goals, Emerson Etem two assists.
-Jan. 18 in CAL: Tigers 5 Hitmen 1. Emerson Etem led the Tigers with a pair of goals.

Calgary is 14-9-2-0 on the road this season while Medicine Hat is 14-8-1-1 at home.

Top Scorers:

Cody Sylvester 17g 36a 53pts
Jimmy Bubnick 21g 24a 45pts
Victor Rask 21g 18a 39pts

Medicine Hat
Emerson Etem 44g 32a 76pts
Hunter Shinkaruk 35g 28a 63pts
James Bettauer 17g 26a 43pts

Calgary 2 Vancouver 0

2012-01-27T22:30:00.002-07:00

Chris Driedger made 32 saves for his second career Western Hockey League shutout as the Calgary Hitmen blanked the Vancouver Giants 2-0 Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Collin Bowman opened the scoring for Calgary at the 11:27 mark of the first period firing a puck into the top corner for his 12th goal of the season while on a 2 on 1 rush.

Trevor Cheek then added an insurance marker scoring into an empty net with 44 seconds left in regulation.

The win for Calgary is their 12th in their last 13 outings.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Vancouver Giants 0 at Calgary Hitmen 2
Friday, January 27, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Vancouver 0 0 0 - 0
Calgary 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Bowman 12 11:27.
Penalties-Makin Van (major-fighting), 1:51; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 1:51; Kulak Van (hooking), 4:06; Vannieuwenhuizen Van (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:11; Brassart Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:11; Trzonkowski Cal (cross checking), 14:59; Clayton Cal (hooking), 15:40.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Bowman Cal (high sticking), 0:52; Humphries Cal (roughing), 3:04; Orban Van (roughing, roughing), 6:20; Gallagher Van (roughing), 6:47; Vannieuwenhuizen Van (roughing, roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 6:47; Bubnick Cal (roughing, roughing, 10-minute misconduct, 10-minute misconduct), 6:47; Sylvester Cal (roughing), 6:47; Musil Van (boarding), 8:16; Cheek Cal (checking from behind), 18:23.

3rd Period
2, Calgary, Cheek 15 (Bubnick, Sylvester), 19:16 (EN).
Penalties-Rask Cal (tripping), 1:23; Orban Van (roughing, roughing), 6:36; Cheek Cal (roughing), 6:36; Kuvaev Van (cross checking), 11:05; Kuvaev Van (roughing), 14:56; Humphries Cal (roughing), 14:56.

Shots on Goal-Vancouver 12-16-4-32. Calgary 5-6-8-19.
Power Play Opportunities-Vancouver 0 / 6; Calgary 0 / 7.
Goalies-Vancouver, Morrison 24-10-1-1 (18 shots-17 saves). Calgary, Driedger 14-7-2-1 (32 shots-32 saves).
A-9,866
Referees-Ryan Bonnett (39), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Jeff Jobson (52).

Vancouver at Calgary

2012-01-27T15:08:00.003-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (28-17-2-1) wrap up a five game homestand tonight against the Vancouver Giants (28-18-1-2). The Hitmen have won 11 of their last 12 games and are coming off Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Giants meanwhile have just two wins in their last seven games falling 4-2 in Red Deer on Wednesday in their last outing.

Calgary enters the contest with 59 points, tied with Saskatoon for fifth in the Eastern Conference, just a point back of Kootenay for fourth. Vancouver is fourth in the Western Conference with 59 points trailing Portland by six points for third.

Tonight is their second and final regular season meeting. The Hitmen posted a 6-4 victory on the West Coast on January 4th. Six different Hitmen scored in the win while defenceman Collin Bowman had a monster game with a goal and two assists to go along with a +4 rating. Calgary overcame a 2-0 first period deficit and out shot Vancouver 39-24. The Hitmen went 1-3 on the powerplay while the Giants were 1-5.

Calgary is 5-0-0-1 in their last six home games against Vancouver.

Overall the Hitmen are 14-8-0-1 on home ice this season while the Giants are 10-11-1-1 on the road.

STREAKIN': Brooks Macek (3g 4a), Victor Rask (4g 3a) and Chase Clayton (2g 2a) are all on a three game point streaks. Trevor Cheek (1g 1a) has points in back-to-back games. Brandon Glover is 7-1 in his last eight starts, while Chris Driedger is 5-0-1-0 in his last six starts.

DID YOU KNOW? In Calgary's last 12 games that has seen the club post an 11-1 record, they have outscored their opponents by a combined 60-30...Vancouver Giants forward Brendan Gallagher, a Montreal Canadiens prospect, had six points (3g 3a) in six games helping Team Canada win Bronze at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship. Giants Head Coach Don Hay was also the bench boss for Team Canada. Adam Morrison will get the start in the Giants net tonight after missing the last six games with an injury.

ALL-STARS: This weekend the NHL All-Star game will take place in Ottawa with the AHL All-Star Classic also being held this weekend in Atlantic City, N.J. Taking part in the AHL festivities will be two former members of both the Hitmen and the Giants. Paul Postma will dress for the Eastern All-Stars, while Alex Plante will patrol the Western All-Star’s blue line. Both are alumni defencemen of Calgary. Former Giants Kevin Connauton and Tyson Sexsmith will play for the East and West, respectively. The last Hitmen player to take part in the NHL All-Star game was Ryan Getzlaf in 2008-09.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 17g 36a 53pts
Jimmy Bubnick 21g 23a 44pts
Victor Rask 21g 18a 39pts

Vancouver
Brendan Gallagher 28g 27a 55pts
Marek Tvrdon 18g 32a 50pts
Cain Franson 19g 25a 44pts

Chris Driedger named to CHL Top Prospects Game

2012-01-26T14:38:00.005-07:00

Calgary Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger will play in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Driedger, a 17-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was ranked 12th among North American Goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting in their midterm rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

At 6’2’’ and 186lbs, Driedger is playing in his second WHL season and first with the Hitmen.

In 27 career games he carries a record of 13-7-2-1 with one shutout and a goals-against-average of 2.86 and save percentage of .894.

In his last seven appearances #33 has gone 5-0-0-1-0 in the Hitmen net with a 2.41GAA and .920 save percentage.

Driedger will suit up for Team Orr and replaces Malcolm Subban of the Belleville Bulls who is unable to participate due to injury.

The 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will be played at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC, on Wednesday February 1, 2012.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

A trip down memory lane with Dean Clark

2012-01-26T13:45:00.003-07:00

Dean Clark, now head coach of the Prince George Cougars, was behind the bench when the Calgary Hitmen won their first WHL Championship on May 7, 1999. Ken Thrower and I had a chance to catch up with Dean who spoke very candidly about his days with the Hitmen.

Click here to listen

Calgary 7 Brandon 2

2012-01-25T23:14:00.003-07:00

Calgary, AB - Detroit Red Wings prospect Brooks Macek scored his first WHL career hat-trick and set up another goal lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 7-2 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Victor Rask, Spencer Humphries, Trevor Cheek and Greg Chase also scored for Calgary who built period leads of 3-0 and 6-0 en route to their third straight win.

Rask, Brady Brassart and Cody Sylvester each picked up a pair of assists in the victory.

Brandon Glover made 23 saves for Calgary as the Hitmen outshot the Wheat Kings 39-25.

The Hitmen, now 28-17-2-1 on the season, have won 11 of their last 12 games.

At 59 points, Calgary is tied for fifth with Saskatoon in the WHL Eastern Conference.

The Hitmen end the month with three games in three days starting Friday night at home against the Vancouver Giants. Game time is 7:00 p.m. for the Husky Hitmen 7th Man game.

The Hitmen will then travel to Medicine Hat on Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. match-up followed by a Sunday afternoon home ice contest against the Tri-City Americans. Puck drop is 4:00 p.m. on Sunday for the Wendy’s Novice Development Day game.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Brandon Wheat Kings 2 at Calgary Hitmen 7
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Brandon 0 0 2 - 2
Calgary 3 3 1 - 7

1st Period
1, Calgary, Rask 21 (Brassart, Macek), 6:44.
2, Calgary, Humphries 6 (Sylvester), 13:28.
3, Calgary, Cheek 14 (Sylvester, Helgesen), 15:06.
Penalties-Kosterman Cal (hooking), 2:35; Sutherland Cal (hooking), 7:15; Miller Bdn (major-fighting), 15:25; Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 15:25.

2nd Period
4, Calgary, Chase 3 (Rissling, Kornelsen), 2:23.
5, Calgary, Macek 12 12:18.
6, Calgary, Macek 13 (Rask, Clayton), 16:40 (PP).
Penalties-Miller Bdn (charging, major-fighting), 10:54; Kosterman Cal (slashing, major-fighting), 10:54; Dziurzynski Bdn (major-fighting), 12:26; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 12:26; Meilleur Bdn (high sticking), 15:27; Honey Bdn (delay of game), 17:17.

3rd Period
7, Calgary, Macek 14 (Rask, Brassart), 3:50.
8, Brandon, Bertaggia 19 (Mraz, Swyripa), 8:44.
9, Brandon, Sundher 24 (Stone, Roy), 10:08.
Penalties-Nikkel Bdn (major-fighting), 18:50; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 18:50.

Shots on Goal-Brandon 11-8-6-25. Calgary 13-17-9-39.
Power Play Opportunities-Brandon 0 / 2; Calgary 1 / 2.
Goalies-Brandon, Boes 11-6-0-1 (21 shots-16 saves); Honey 1-2-0-1 (18 shots-16 saves). Calgary, Glover 15-9-0-0 (25 shots-23 saves).
A-6,947
Referees-Brett Montsion (54), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Justin Slimm (105).

Brandon at Calgary

2012-01-25T10:39:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (27-17-2-1) play game four of a five game homestand tonight against Canadian World Junior Mark Stone and the Brandon Wheat Kings (24-22-1-2). Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Hitmen enter play having won two in a row and 10 of their last 11 games. Calgary is coming off Sunday's 4-2 home ice win over Red Deer. Brandon meanwhile posted a 1-0 win in Cranbrook last night over the Kootenay Ice. It snapped a two game losing streak for the Wheaties who have gone just 8-15-0-1 in their last 24 games.

The Hitmen enter play with 57 points, good for seventh in the WHL's Eastern Conference. They sit six points ahead of Brandon, but trail Regina by a single point for sixth. Brandon holds the eighth and final playoff spot with 51 points, six points ahead of ninth place Red Deer.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Tonight is the the fourth and final regular season meeting between the two teams. The Hitmen lead the series 2-1. Trevor Cheek tops all Hitmen with four points (3g 1a) against Brandon while Alessio Bertaggia (3g 2a) and Brendan Walker (2g 3a) both have five points to lead the Wheat Kings.
-Nov. 4 in Brandon: Wheat Kings 5 Hitmen 2.   The Brandon line of Brendan Walker (2g 2a), Mark Stone (1g 2a) and Michael Ferlund (2g 3a) combined for 11 points.
-Nov. 22 in Brandon: Hitmen 6 Wheat Kings 3. Alex Gogolev scored twice for Calgary while Cody Sylvester had three points (1g 2a)
-Dec. 11 in Calgary: Hitmen 4 Wheat Kings 3. Trevor Cheek scored twice for Calgary.
                                                             INSIDE THE SERIES
SHOTS ON GOAL: Cal 109 Bdn 78 POWERPLAYS: Cal 1-12 (8.3%) Bdn 3-16 (18.8%)

DID YOU KNOW? Brandon has three of the top 12 scorers in the WHL in Mark Stone (4th), Kevin Sundher (8th) and Michael Ferland (12th). Calgary's top point producer, Cody Sylvester, is tied for 24th.

HOME AND AWAY: Calgary is 13-8-0-1 on home ice this season while Brandon is 13-12-0-0.

STREAKIN':  Five Hitmen take point streaks into tonight's game: Danny Gayle (1g 4a), Victor Rask (3g 1a), Chase Clayton (2g 1a), Calder Brooks (1g 2a), and Brooks Macek (3a) have points in back-to-back games. Chris Driedger is 5-0-0-1 in his last six starts. No Brandon players are riding point streaks but Mark Stone has at least a single point in 36 of his 42 games this season

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 17g 34a 51pts
Jimmy Bubnick 21g 23a 44pts
Victor Rask 20g 16a 36pts
Brady Brassart 15g 21a 36pts

Brandon
Mark Stone 31g 44a 75pts
Kevin Sundher 23g 46a 69pts
Michael Ferland 25g 34a 59pts

Brandon Wheat Kings Drafted/NHL Signed Players:
F Kevin Sundher (Buffalo, 3rd Round, 75th overall in 2010 – SIGNED)
F Michael Ferland (Calgary, 5th Round, 133rd overall in 2010 - SIGNED)
F Mark Stone (Ottawa, 6th Round, 178th overall in 2010 - SIGNED)
G Brandon Anderson (Washington, SIGNED as a Free Agent in September, 2010).

Two Hitmen fan bus trips in February

2012-01-24T14:49:00.003-07:00

The Junior Hockey Junkies are now accepting registrations for two upcoming bus trips. JHJ Bus trip #4 is a day trip up the QEII to Red Deer on Saturday Feb 04 where the boys will face the Red Deer Rebels. The second trip that we are accepting reservations is JHJ Bus Trip #5 on Friday Feb 17 to Sunday Feb 19 with overnight stops in Kelowna (Fri Feb 17) and Kamloops (Sat Feb 18). The first stop will see the Hitmen play the Kelowna Rockets and the next night will see the Hitmen battle the Kamloops Blazers. Full trip details can be seen below.

The Hitmen are fully engaged in the playoff hunt. They currently hold onto 7th place in the Eastern Conference only 2 points out of 5th spot and hold a four point cushion over Brandon who owns the 8th and final playoff position. These trips are yet another opportunity for the Hitmen fans to support their favourite team in an enemy barn as they strive to climb higher in the standings and with a strong finish to the season be the home team in the first round of the playoffs. The Hitmen players and coaches have told us over the years that the travelling Hitmen fans always give them a boost as they play in enemy barns.

“The junkies provide incredible support for our team. Our players always know where they are sitting and can hear them cheering for our team. The dedication they show provides extra motivation for our players.”
Mike Williamson (Head Coach of the Calgary Hitmen)

The itinerary for JHJ Bus Trip #4 to Red Deer is as follows:
Saturday Feb 04…
Leave Calgary 5:15 PM SHARP
Arrive Red Deer Enmax Centrium in plenty of time for warm-ups
Depart Enmax Centrium immediately after 3 stars and head back to Calgary

The itinerary for JHJ Bus Trip #5 to Kelowna & Kamloops is as follows:
Friday Feb 17
Depart Calgary 7:00 AM SHARP
Arrive in Kelowna and check into hotel
Bus departs hotel for Prospera Place and game vs. Kelowna Rockets
Bus departs Prospera Place back to the hotel immediately after the 3 stars announcement where you are on your own for the remainder of the evening
Saturday Feb 18
Bus departs hotel for Kamloops at 12:00 noon SHARP
Arrive in Kamloops and check into hotel
Bus departs hotel for Interior Savings Centre and game vs. Kamloops Blazers
Bus departs Interior Savings Centre back to the hotel immediately after the 3 stars announcement where you are on your own for the remainder of the evening
Sunday Feb 19
Bus departs hotel for Calgary at 8:00 am SHARP
Arrive back in Calgary approximately 6:00 – 6:30 PM
Reserve your seat on either or both of these trips by registering at the Junior Hockey Junkies booth at the Scotiabank Saddledome at any home games. Our booth is located in the concourse behind Sec 213. If you cannot make it to one of the Hitmen home games please call the Junior Hockey Junkies information number at 403-236-7560. We look forward to having you join the Junior Hockey Junkies on this junket down the QEII to Edmonton. If paying for your trip at the booth payment can be in the form of cash, cheque or money order payable to Junior Hockey Junkies. If mailing payment in the form of cheque or money order payable to Junior Hockey Junkies can be mailed to
Junior Hockey Junkies
71 Douglas Park Blvd.
Calgary, AB
T2Z 2K9

JHJ Bus Trip #4...
Destination: Red Deer
Date: Saturday Feb 04
Departure Time: 9:30 PM Sharp
Departure Location: Deerfoot Mall NE parking lot east of SportChek (map attached)
Price: $50 Adult
Deadline: Sunday Jan 29
Trip Includes:
Return transportation from the defined departure location to the Enmax Centrium and back, Game Ticket plus On Board activities.
Activities on the coach to Red Deer:
- Door Prize Draws
- Cribbage (card table set up on all JHJ Bus Trips)
- Hockey Talk
- 50/50 Draw (50% to the lucky ticket holder and 50% to the JHJ sponsorship of the – Hitmen Corporate Caring Corner)
- Videos and/or Music

JHJ Bus Trip #5...
Destination: Kelowna & Kamloops
Date: Friday Feb 17 – Sunday Feb 19
Departure Time: 7:00 AM Sharp
Departure Location: TBD
Price: $285 per person based upon double occupancy
Deadline: Sunday Feb 12
Trip Includes:
Return transportation from the defined departure location to Kelowna, Kamloops and back, two night’s hotel accommodation, one game ticket in each city, plus On Board activities.
Activities on the coach to Kelowna & Kamloops:
- Door Prize Draws
- Cribbage Tournament (card table set up on all JHJ Bus Trips)
- Hockey Talk
- 50/50 Draw (50% to the lucky ticket holder and 50% to the JHJ sponsorship of the – Hitmen Corporate Caring Corner)
- Videos and/or Music

Alex Roach gets three game suspension

2012-01-24T14:32:00.003-07:00

When Alex Roach sat out Sunday's game against Red Deer the length of his suspension wasn't known. The Western Hockey League has now ruled on the incident, and Roach has been handed a three game ban. Roach was given a major on the play for a high hit on Cougars forward Greg Fraser.

Here's the posting from the league's website.

Alex Roach, Calgary:
-Three games for checking to the head major and g.m. versus Prince George on January 20

Roach won't be allowed to return to the line-up until Saturday night in Medicine Hat against the Tigers.

In a separate ruling from that same game Prince George forward Campbell Elynuik has been given a four game suspension. Elynuik was given a major for fighting on the play for tracking down Hitmen defenceman Collin Bowman and delivering a blind sided punch. Elynuik continued to throw punches after knocking Bowman to the ice. Bowman did not receive a penalty on the play.

Here's the posting from the league's website on that incident.

Campbell Elynuik, Prince George:

-Four games for one man fight at Calgary on January 20

Calgary 4 Red Deer 2

2012-01-22T18:39:00.003-07:00

Chris Driedger made 41 saves in a first star performance as the Calgary Hitmen beat the Red Deer Rebels 4-2 Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Chase Clayton scored twice for Calgary and now has 10 goals on the season including seven in his last nine games.

Jimmy Bubnick with his 21st and Victor Rask into an empty net for his 20th also scored for Calgary who beat the Rebels for the second time in less than a week.

Matthew Dumba and Tyson Ness scored for Red Deer who trailed 1-0 after one and 2-0 after forty minutes.

Trevor Cheek led all Hitmen with seven shots on goal while John Persson topped the Rebels with nine.

Calgary has now won two in a row and 10 of their last 11 games to improve to 27-17-2-1. At 57 points they remain seventh in the WHL's Eastern Conference, pulling one point back of Regina for sixth.

The Hitmen return to action Wednesday to host Team Canada World Junior Mark Stone and the Brandon Wheat Kings. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Red Deer Rebels 2 at Calgary Hitmen 4
Sunday, January 22, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Red Deer 0 0 2 - 2
Calgary 1 1 2 - 4

1st Period
1, Calgary, Clayton 9 (Cheek, Kosterman), 5:11 (SH).
Penalties-Humphries Cal (cross checking), 4:02; Trzonkowski Cal (interference), 10:20; Kambeitz R.d (roughing), 16:07; Helgesen Cal (cross checking), 16:27; Brooks Cal (holding), 16:57.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Clayton 10 (Brooks, Bowman), 18:16 (PP).
Penalties-Petrovic R.d (slashing), 1:05; McCoy R.d (high sticking), 10:22; Kambeitz R.d (cross checking), 17:53; Gogolev Cal (tripping), 18:47.

3rd Period
3, Red Deer, Dumba 14 (Petrovic, Robinson), 0:40 (PP).
4, Calgary, Bubnick 21 (Rask, Macek), 6:13.
5, Red Deer, Ness 12 (Elson), 7:26.
6, Calgary, Rask 20 (Macek), 19:12 (EN).
Penalties-Macek Cal (tripping), 3:43; Inglis R.d (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:42; Brassart Cal (roughing), 13:42; Inglis R.d (10-minute misconduct), 19:12.

Shots on Goal-Red Deer 14-15-14-43. Calgary 9-13-12-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Red Deer 1 / 5; Calgary 1 / 3.
Goalies-Red Deer, Dubyk 8-7-1-1 (33 shots-30 saves). Calgary, Driedger 13-7-2-1 (43 shots-41 saves).
A-8,314
Referees-Trevor Hanson (19), Darren Spurgeon (131).
Linesmen-Aidan Henderson (78), Scott Sharun (103).

Red Deer at Calgary

2012-01-22T11:05:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (26-17-2-1) play the Red Deer Rebels (20-20-1-4) this afternoon in their second meeting in just six days. Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. Both teams are coming off 5-1 wins over Prince George. Calgary beat the Cougars Friday night, while the Rebels knocked off Prince George last night.

Calgary enters play with 55 points, sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference, three points back of Regina for sixth and six points ahead of Brandon for eighth. Red Deer meanwhile is ninth, four point back of Brandon for a playoff spot.

Today is the third of six meetings between the two clubs. The season series is tied 1-1. Greg Chase (1g 2a), Jimmy Bubnick (3a) and Cody Sylvester (3a) all have three points each against Red Deer. Matt Dumba (1g 1a), Colton Mayor (1g 1a), John Persson (1g 1a) and Flames prospect Turner Elson (2a) all have two points each against Calgary.
-Oct. 7 in Cal: Rebels 4 Hitmen 2. Colton Mayor and John Persson each had a goal and an assist for the Rebels.
-Jan. 17 in RD: Hitmen 5 Rebels 1. Alex Gogolev scored twice, while Greg Chase had a career high three points (1g 2a).
Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 17g 34a 51pts
Jimmy Bubnick 20g 23a 43pts
Brady Brassart 15g 21a 36pts

Red Deer
John Persson 15g 25a 40pts
Turner Elson 16g 18a 34pts
Colton Mayor 13g 20a 33pts

Calgary 5 Prince George 1

2012-01-21T13:54:00.002-07:00

Victor Rask netted two goals in a first star performance as the Calgary Hitmen defeated the Prince George Cougars 5-1 Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Joe Kornelsen, Alex Gogolev and Calder Brooks also scored for the Hitmen who built period leads of 2-0 and 4-1.

Brady Brassart (3a) picked up three points in the win while Spencer Humphries chipped in a pair of assists.

Chris Driedger made 18 saves for Calgary who outshot the Cougars 44-19. Driedger recorded his third win in as many starts for a season total of 12.

The Hitmen, now 26-17-2-1 on the season, sit seventh in the WHL Eastern Conference with 55 points, six points ahead of eighth place Brandon and one point behind sixth place Regina.

Calgary hosts the Red Deer Rebels at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 22. The Hitmen will also welcome Brandon on Wednesday, January 25 and Vancouver on Friday, January 27 before heading back out on the road.
Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Prince George Cougars 1 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Friday, January 20, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Prince George 0 1 0 - 1
Calgary 2 2 1 - 5

1st Period
1, Calgary, Kornelsen 7 (Brooks, Humphries), 13:22.
2, Calgary, Rask 18 (Brassart), 14:25.
Penalties-Trzonkowski Cal (checking from behind), 5:51; Elynuik P.g (inter. on goaltender), 6:16; Brooks Cal (high sticking), 9:34; Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 16:11; Jackson P.g (tripping), 16:22.

2nd Period
3, Prince George, Tkatch 11 (Fontaine), 2:55.
4, Calgary, Gogolev 19 (Brassart, Macek), 8:46 (PP).
5, Calgary, Rask 19 (Humphries, Brassart), 18:30 (PP).
Penalties-Rissling Cal (interference), 4:51; Elynuik P.g (interference), 6:13; Fontaine P.g (high sticking), 6:57; Humphries Cal (hooking), 12:35; Carlson P.g (hooking), 14:22; Asuchak P.g (roughing), 15:16; Bubnick Cal (roughing), 15:16; Forsberg P.g (hooking), 17:50.

3rd Period
6, Calgary, Brooks 5 (Trzonkowski, Clayton), 5:48.
Penalties-Mykitiuk P.g (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 6:33; Forsberg P.g (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 6:57; Roach Cal (roughing, major - checking to the head, game misconduct), 6:57; Forsberg P.g (10-minute misconduct), 9:52; Siwak P.g (slashing), 9:52; Brooks Cal (high sticking, high sticking), 15:58; Fraser P.g (inter. on goaltender), 17:24; Elynuik P.g (major-fighting, game misconduct), 17:36; Carlson P.g (major-fighting), 19:38; Sutherland Cal (major-fighting), 19:38; Trzonkowski Cal (high sticking), 19:38.

Shots on Goal-Prince George 5-8-6-19. Calgary 15-13-16-44.
Power Play Opportunities-Prince George 0 / 5; Calgary 2 / 8.
Goalies-Prince George, Owsley 14-24-0-1 (44 shots-39 saves). Calgary, Driedger 12-7-2-1 (19 shots-18 saves).
A-9,624
Referees-Ryan Bonnett (39), Devin Klein (9).
Linesmen-Jeff Jobson (52), Steve Cochrane (125).

Prince George at Calgary

2012-01-20T11:57:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (25-17-2-1) will look to start a new winning streak tonight when they host the Prince George Cougars (15-27-0-2) at Scotiabank Saddledome. Game time is 7:00 p.m. The Hitmen saw their eight game winning streak halted Wednesday with a 5-1 home ice loss to Medicine Hat. The Cougars also last played Wednesday, falling 5-0 in Edmonton.

The Hitmen enter play seventh in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 53 points. They are two points back of both Saskatoon and Regina for fifth, and four points ahead of Brandon for eighth. Prince George is ninth in the Western Conference with 32 points, just one back of Victoria for the final playoff spot.

SEASON SERIES: Tonight is the second and final regular season meeting. Prince George posted a 3-1 home ice win in their only previous contest, December 28th in Northern BC. Goaltender Drew Owsley made 37 saves in the victory. Both teams were 0-4 on the powerplay.

STREAKIN': Jimmy Bubnick (4g 4a) is on a five game point scoring streak. Cody Sylvester (2g 5a) has points in four straight. Chris Driegder is 3-0-1-0 in his last four starts in goal.

BEHIND THE BENCH: The Cougars head coach is Dean Clark, the former bench boss of the Calgary Hitmen. Clark ran the Hitmen bench from 1996/97 to 2000/01 posting a regular season record of 183-118-33. He was also named WHL Coach of the Year in the 1998/99 season helping the Hitmen win their first WHL Title on May 7th, 1999.

NHL EYE: Cougars top scorer Troy Bourke is ranked 107th among North American Skaters by Central Scouting for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Calgary is 11-8-0-1 at home this season while the Cougars are 9-14-0-1 on the road

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 17g 34a 51pts
Jimmy Bubnick 20g 23a 43pts
Alex Gogolev 18g 16a 34pts

Prince George
Troy Bourke 9g 24a 33pts
Alex Forsberg 11g 18a 29pts
Cody Carlson 6g 23a 29pts

Medicine Hat 5 Calgary 1

2012-01-19T09:12:00.001-07:00

The Medicine Hat Tigers scored three second period goals, including two in the opening minute, en route to a 5-1 victory over the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The loss ended Calgary’s season high eight-game winning streak that started on December 30, 2011 with a 6-3 win over the Kamloops Blazers.

Emerson Etem led the Tigers scoring attack with two goals to give him 39 on the season, while Brendan Hurley, Curtis Valk and Cole Grbavac each scored once for the visitors.

Jimmy Bubnick netted his team-leading 20th goal in the loss while Cody Sylvester and Spencer Humphries each chipped in an assist for Calgary.

After allowing five goals on 34 shots, Brandon Glover was relieved by Chris Driedger midway through the third period. Driedger made 11 saves in the game.

Oilers prospect Tyler Bunz went the distance for Medicine Hat making 29 saves. The 19-year-old has now stopped 101 of 103 Hitmen shots this season as the Tigers improve to 3-0 against Calgary.

Calgary, now 25-16-2-1 on the season, sits seventh in the WHL Eastern Conference with 53 points.

The Hitmen return to action Friday night at home to the Prince George Cougars. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Photo Credits: Allana Minchau

Medicine Hat Tigers 5 at Calgary Hitmen 1
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Medicine Hat 1 3 1 - 5
Calgary 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period
1, Medicine Hat, Hurley 4 (Bettauer, Konan), 10:56.
Penalties-Sylvester Cal (holding), 6:32; Kessy M.h (elbowing), 7:11; Konan M.h (checking from behind), 16:37; Shinkaruk M.h (checking from behind), 18:53.

2nd Period
2, Medicine Hat, Etem 38 (Bredo), 0:11 (SH).
3, Medicine Hat, Valk 15 0:54. 4,
Calgary, Bubnick 20 (Humphries, Sylvester), 3:48.
5, Medicine Hat, Etem 39 6:27.
Penalties-Hurley M.h (roughing), 1:43; Brassart Cal (roughing), 1:43; Bettauer M.h (roughing), 9:02; Clayton Cal (slashing), 10:21; served by Helgesen Cal (too many men), 11:24; Lewington M.h (hooking), 15:35; Etem M.h (major-fighting), 16:25; Rissling Cal (slashing, major-fighting), 16:25; Humphries Cal (cross checking), 19:57; Hart M.h (major-fighting, game misconduct), 20:00; Kessy M.h (inter. on goaltender, major-fighting), 20:00; Konan M.h (roughing), 20:00; Bowman Cal (roughing), 20:00; Kornelsen Cal (major-fighting, game misconduct), 20:00; Kosterman Cal (major-fighting), 20:00.

3rd Period
6, Medicine Hat, Grbavac 6 (Leier), 8:44.
Penalties-Sylvester Cal (hooking), 0:38; Lewington M.h (tripping), 9:32; Busenius M.h (major-fighting), 11:12; Trzonkowski Cal (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 11:12; Leier M.h (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 16:15; Clayton Cal (slashing), 16:15; Chase Cal (interference), 17:46; Cheek Cal (slashing), 18:24.

Shots on Goal-Medicine Hat 9-17-19-45. Calgary 14-14-2-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Medicine Hat 0 / 9; Calgary 0 / 7.
Goalies-Medicine Hat, Bunz 25-12-2-2 (30 shots-29 saves). Calgary, Glover 14-9-0-0 (34 shots-29 saves); Driedger 11-7-2-1 (11 shots-11 saves).
A-7,230
Referees-Steve Papp (17), Kevin Webinger (6).
Linesmen-Sean Donnelly (109), Ian Shaver (74).

Medicine Hat at Calgary

2012-01-18T09:21:00.003-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (25-16-2-1) open a five game home stand tonight against the Medicine Hat Tigers (25-16-2-2). Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Hitmen are riding a season high eight game winning streak and are coming off last night's 5-1 victory in Red Deer. The Tigers meanwhile have won just two of their last six games but picked up two points in their last outing, a 6-3 triumph over visiting Moose Jaw Saturday night.

Calgary enters play with 53 points, just one point back of Medicine Hat and Regina who share fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 54.

Photo Credit: Avery Buye

Tonight is the third of six meetings between the two teams. Medicine Hat leads the season series 2-0. Tigers goalie and Edmonton Oilers prospect Tyler Bunz has been sensational against the Hitmen stopping 73 of 74 shots for a 2-0 record with a .50 goals against average and a .986 save percentage. Anaheim Ducks first round pick Emerson Etem has also been a star with six assists in two games.
-Oct. 15 in MH: Tigers 5 Hitmen 0. Tyler Bunz 36 save shutout. Emerson Etem four assists.
-Dec. 4 in CAL: Tigers 2 Hitmen 1. Tyler Bunz 37 saves. Curtis Valk two goals, Emerson Etem two assists.

STREAKIN': Five Hitmen take point scoring streaks into tonight's game. Jimmy Bubnick (3g 4a) is on a four game run. Cody Sylvester (2g 4a) has points in three straight. Danny Gayle (1g 4a), Alex Gogolev (2g 1a) and Calder Brooks (1g 1a) all have points in back-to-back games. Collin Bowman is a combined +10 in his last five games. Goaltender Brandon Glover has won his last six starts, while Chris Driedger has won two straight.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 17g 33a 50pts
Jimmy Bubnick 19g 23a 42pts
Alex Gogolev 18g 16a 34pts

Medicine Hat
Emerson Etem 37g 31a 68pts
Hunter Shinkaruk 32g 24a 56pts
James Bettauer 10g 16a 26pts

Calgary is 11-7-0-1 on home ice while the Tigers are 13-8-1-1 on the road.

Calgary 5 Red Deer 1

2012-01-17T22:01:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen extended their season high winning streak to eight games with a 5-1 victory over the Red Deer Rebels Tuesday night at Enmax Centruim.

Alex Gogolev scored twice for Calgary while Greg Chase led all Hitmen with a career high three points (1g 2a).

Joey Kornelsen, and Chase Clayton also scored for Calgary who overcame a 1-0 second period deficit while Cody Sylvester and Jimmy Bubnick both chipped in a pair of assists.

Calgary out shot the Rebels 34-30 as Brandon Glover made 29 saves to record his sixth straight win in goal. He also passed the 2,000 career regular season saves mark to sit at 2,020.

Matt Dumba had the lone goal for Red Deer who drops a game below .500 at 19-20-1-4. They remain four points out of a playoff spot.

The Hitmen, now 25-16-2-1 on the season, pull within a single point of both Medicine Hat and Regina for fifth in the WHL Eastern Conference with 53 points.

Calgary opens a five-game home stand tomorrow (Wednesday) against Team USA World Junior forward Emerson Etem and the Medicine Hat Tigers. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Hitmen will also host Prince George Friday (7pm) and Red Deer Sunday (4pm), before welcoming Brandon and Vancouver next week.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

To watch the highlights, click here.

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Red Deer Rebels 1
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 - Enmax Centrium - Red Deer, AB

Calgary 0 2 3 - 5
Red Deer 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Bubnick Cal (boarding, major-fighting), 2:27; Petrovic R.d (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 2:27; Fafard R.d (holding), 6:30; Kambeitz R.d (slashing), 17:40.

2nd Period
1, Red Deer, Dumba 12 (Elson), 4:09.
2, Calgary, Kornelsen 6 (Chase, Clayton), 4:48.
3, Calgary, Gogolev 17 (Sylvester, Bubnick), 11:27.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (tripping), 6:19.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Clayton 8 (Chase, Brooks), 1:42.
5, Calgary, Gogolev 18 (Sylvester, Bubnick), 9:47.
6, Calgary, Chase 2 (Rask), 15:46.
Penalties-Doetzel R.d (holding), 2:07; Humphries Cal (checking from behind), 5:24; Kosterman Cal (major-fighting), 5:24; Inglis R.d (instigator, major-fighting), 5:24; Inglis R.d (10-minute misconduct), 5:25; Bowman Cal (roughing), 13:00; Kambeitz R.d (high sticking), 13:00.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 12-8-14-34. Red Deer 9-9-12-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 3; Red Deer 0 / 1.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 14-8-0-0 (30 shots-29 saves). Red Deer, Dubyk 7-6-1-1 (34 shots-29 saves).
A-4,022
Referees-Colin Watt (72), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Cody Huseby (88), Chris Carlson (92).

Calgary at Red Deer

2012-01-17T08:51:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (24-16-2-1) put their season high seven game winning streak on the line tonight in Red Deer against the Rebels (19-19-1-4). Internet Broadcast on http://www.sportsnet960.ca/ starts at 7:00 p.m. Click here to listen http://player.rogersradio.ca/cfac-alt/on_air

Tonight is just their second meeting this season. Back on October 7th, Red Deer posted a 4-2 win at Scotiabank Saddledome. Colton Mayor and John Persson each had a goal and an assist for the Rebels.

The Hitmen and Rebels have gone in different directions since the early part of the season. Calgary started 6-8-0-1 but has gone 18-8-2-0 since. Red Deer meanwhile got off to a 14-4-0-3 start, but is 5-15-1-1 since.
Photo Credit: Brad Watson

Calgary last played on Sunday posting a 4-3 home ice win over Edmonton while the Rebels dropped a 4-0 decision in Swift Current Saturday night.

The Hitmen have won four straight away from the 'Dome and are 13-9-2-0 on the road this season. Red Deer has lost two straight extra time games in a row at Enmax Centrium, one in a shootout and a second in overtime. Overall the Rebels are 10-9-1-2 on home ice.

STREAKIN': Five Hitmen take point scoring streaks into tonight's game. Jaynen Rissling (1g 3a) is on a four game run. Jimmy Bubnick (3g 2a) has points in three straight. Danny Gayle (1g 4a), Cody Sylvester (2g 2a) and Trevor Cheek (1g 3a) all have points in back-to-back games. Collin Bowman is combined +9 in his last four games. Goaltender Brandon Glover has won his last five starts, while Chris Driedger has won two straight.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 17g 31a 48pts
Jimmy Bubnick 19g 21a 40pts
Brady Brassart 15g 18a 33pts

Red Deer
John Persson 15g 24a 39pts
Colton Mayor 13g 20a 33pts
Alex Petrovic 4g 26a 30pts

DID YOU KNOW? Rebels defenceman Matthew Dumba was ranked 7th by Central Scouting among North American Skaters for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Dumba will also suit up for Team Cherry at the CHL Top Prospects Game on February 1st in Kelowna.

Hitmen Set Franchise Record

2012-01-16T11:32:00.001-07:00

I did some digging this morning and discovered the Hitmen set a franchise record in Friday's 5-2 home ice win over Moose Jaw.

Not a single powerplay chance was awarded to Calgary that night, setting a new franchise record for fewest powerplay chances in a single game.

On 13 previous occasions in the 17 year history of the Hitmen, Calgary was awarded just one powerplay chance. The last occurred on March 8, 2011 in Medicine Hat.

But never before had Calgary's powerplay unit not stepped on the ice until Friday night against the Warriors.

Calgary 4 Edmonton 3

2012-01-15T18:33:00.003-07:00

Jimmy Bubnick scored two goals in a first star performance as the Calgary Hitmen edged the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings 4-3 Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The win extended Calgary's season high winning streak to seven games.

Cody Sylvester (1g, 2a), who broke a 3-3 third period tie scoring the game winner with 8:33 remaining, led the Hitmen with three points while Calder Brooks also scored in the win.

Spencer Humphries chipped in a pair of assists in his first game back off injury.

Trevor Cheek, Alex Gogolev and Jaynen Rissling, who has points in his last four consecutive games, each picked up one helper for Calgary.

Photo Credit: Allana Minchau

Brandon Glover made 24 saves in the Hitmen net to record his 13th win of the season and fifth win in his last five starts.

Calgary out shot the Oil Kings 39-27, including 18-11 in the second period.

The Hitmen, now 24-16-2-1 on the season, sit seventh in the WHL Eastern Conference with 51 points, just three points back of Medicine Hat and Regina for fifth.

Edmonton Oil Kings 3 at Calgary Hitmen 4
Sunday, January 15, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Edmonton 1 1 1 - 3
Calgary 0 3 1 - 4

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Maxwell 24 (Gernat), 14:30.
Penalties-Geertsen Edm (holding), 14:40; Rissling Cal (tripping), 16:54.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Bubnick 18 (Sylvester, Humphries), 2:51.
3, Calgary, Brooks 4 (Cheek, Humphries), 4:58 (PP).
4, Calgary, Bubnick 19 (Sylvester) 8:47.
5, Edmonton, Moroz 10 (Legault), 11:03.
Penalties-Samuelsson Edm (major-charging, 10-minute misconduct), 2:51; Pysyk Edm (cross checking), 6:27; Sautner Edm (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:17; Bubnick Cal (roughing), 13:17; Sylvester Cal (inter. on goaltender), 18:10.

3rd Period
6, Edmonton, Lazar 12 (Moroz, Foster), 4:00 (PP).
7, Calgary, Sylvester 17 (Rissling, Gogolev), 11:27.
Penalties-Cheek Cal (boarding), 2:23; Brooks Cal (hooking), 2:49.

Shots on Goal-Edmonton 5-11-11-27. Calgary 9-18-12-39.
Power Play Opportunities-Edmonton 1 / 4; Calgary 1 / 3.
Goalies-Edmonton, Jarry 4-2-0-0 (39 shots-35 saves). Calgary, Glover 13-8-0-0 (27 shots-24 saves).
A-8,459
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Adam Byblow (23).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Justin Slimm (105).

Edmonton at Calgary

2012-01-15T09:52:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (23-16-2-1) wrap up a three game home stand this afternoon against the Eastern Conference leading and Canadian Hockey League’s number eight ranked Edmonton Oil Kings (29-10-1-0). Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Today is also Dodge Skate with the Hitmen. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates to today's matchup to join the Hitmen for a post-game skate. Please note, all participants under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

The Hitmen are coming off Friday’s 5-2 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors. After giving up the opener, Calgary scored five unanswered goals from five different players: Brady Brassart, Trevor Cheek, Collin Bowman, Cody Sylvester and Rob Trzonkowski. Brandon Glover made 27 saves to record the win. Cheek finished the game with a team leading three points (1g 2a). He was also +4. The Oil Kings were on home ice last night and needed overtime to beat the Kootenay Ice 3-2. Jordan Peddle scored the game winner 3:06 into sudden death.

The Hitmen enter play with 49 points. They sit seventh in the WHL Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Brandon for eighth and four points back of Saskatoon for sixth. Calgary has two games in hand on the Wheat Kings and Blades who also both play today. Edmonton meanwhile leads the Eastern Conference by eight points over both Moose Jaw and Kootenay. However the Oil Kings are third overall trailing Kamloops by two points and Tri-City by three.

VS. EDMONTON: Today is the fourth of six meetings with the Oil Kings. Edmonton leads the season series 3-0 will all three previous meetings in the provincial capital. Cody Sylvester (1g, 2a) and Trevor Cheek (1g, 2a) both have three points each to lead the Hitmen in the series while Cody Corbett (5a) tops the Oil Kings with five points. Last season Edmonton won five of six meetings with Calgary.
- Dec. 1 in EDM: Oil Kings 6 Hitmen 1. Mark Pysyk led the Oil Kings with three assists.
- Dec. 6 in EDM: Oil Kings 6 Hitmen 2. Griffen Reinhart had 1g 2a for Edmonton.
-Dec. 17 in EDM: Oil Kings 2 Hitmen 1. Cody Corbett had two assists for the Oil Kings who out shot Calgary 33-22.
                                                         INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CAL 71 EDM 83     Power Plays: CAL 2-17 (11.8%) EDM 5-17 (29.4%)

SIX AND COUNTING: During the Hitmen's current season high six game winning streak they have outscored their opponents by a combined 34-16 while also holding a 205-162 shot clock advantage. In that span Calgary has gone 8-29 on the powerplay (27.5%) while killing 22 of 27 (81.2%) opposition chances. . The last time Calgary won six in a row came as part of a nine-game winning streak to conclude the 2009-10 regular season from February 26 to March 14, 2010.

TOP SCORERS:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 16g 29a 45pts
Jimmy Bubnick 17g 21a 38pts
Brady Brassart 15g 18a 33pts

Edmonton
Michael St. Croix 25g 42a 67pts
Dylan Wruck 17g 40a 57pts
Tyler Maxwell 23g 20a 43pts

STREAKIN': Four Hitmen take point scoring streaks into today's game. Victor Rask (2g 5a) is on a six game run. Brady Bassart (4g 3a) has points in four straight while Jaynen Rissling (1g 2a) has points in three straight. Danny Gayle (1g 4a) and Jimmy Bubnick (1g 2a) both have points in back-to-back games. Alex Roach is a combined +8 during his last six games while Collin Bowman is +8 in his last three games. Goaltender Brandon Glover has won his last four starts, while Chris Driedger has won two straight.

WHL LEADERS: Alex Gogolev (16g 15a) and Victor Rask (17g 14a) are tied with each other for seventh WHL rookie scoring with 31 points. Rask’s 17 goals has him fifth among WHL rookie snipers in that category. Hitmen defenceman Collin Bowman is tied for 15th among WHL defencemen with 28 points. His 11 goals are tied for the third most among WHL rearguards.

CAREER WATCH: Cody Sylvester is one goal shy of 50. Brandon Glover is 33 saves shy of 2,000 while Chris Driedger needs 73 saves for 1,000.

HITMEN ALUMNUS: T.J. Galiardi, who played one season with the Hitmen (2007-08) picking up 70 points in 72 games is now in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche. The 23-year-old left winger has 12 points (7g 5a) in 43 games. Galiardi also has 79 shots on goals.

Calgary 5 Moose Jaw 2

2012-01-13T22:49:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen stretched their season high winning streak to six games with a 5-2 home ice win over the Moose Jaw Warriors Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

It's the first time the Hitmen have won six straight since the 2009/10 season, when they rattled off nine straight to end the regular season.

After giving up the lone goal of the first period to the Warriors Shayne Gwinner, the Hitmen struck for five unanswered.

Brady Brassart started the comeback scoring his 15th of the season while Trevor Cheek with his 13th and Collin Bowman with his 11th helped Calgary strike for three goals in a span of 5:48 early in the second period.

In the third, Cody Sylvester with his 16th and Rob Trzonkowski with his first of the season extended the Hitmen lead to 5-1.

Travis Brown then rounded out the scoring for Moose Jaw who out shot the Hitmen 29-26.

Trevor Cheek led the Calgary scoring attack with three points (1g 2a) while Brady Brassart (1g 1a) and Jimmy Bubnick (2a) both had two points each.

Brandon Glover made 27 saves to record his fourth straight win in the Calgary net.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

The game also featured an oddity for Calgary, not one powerplay chance.

The Hitmen will host the Edmonton Oil Kings Sunday afternoon. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Moose Jaw Warriors 2 at Calgary Hitmen 5Friday, January 13, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Moose Jaw 1 0 1 - 2
Calgary 0 3 2 - 5

1st Period
1, Moose Jaw, Gwinner 2 (Arnold, Johnson), 5:20.
Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Brassart 15 (Rask, Cheek), 1:05.
3, Calgary, Cheek 13 (Brassart), 3:55.
4, Calgary, Bowman 11 (Rissling, Bubnick), 6:53.
Penalties-Gogolev Cal (tripping), 14:44.

3rd Period
5, Calgary, Sylvester 16 (Bubnick) 10:38.
6, Calgary, Trzonkowski 1 (Cheek, Helgesen), 13:40.
7, Moose Jaw, Brown 4 (Edmundson, Wyton), 18:47.
Penalties-Trzonkowski Cal (checking from behind), 11:30; Arnold M.j (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:17; Johnson M.j (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:17; McIlrath M.j (roughing, interference, 10-minute misconduct), 17:17; White M.j (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:17; Brooks Cal (high sticking, roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:17; Chase Cal (roughing, misconduct-helmet), 17:17; Clayton Cal (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:17; Helgesen Cal (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 17:17.

Shots on Goal-Moose Jaw 8-10-11-29. Calgary 6-12-10-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Moose Jaw 0 / 2; Calgary 0 / 0.
Goalies-Moose Jaw, Siemens 21-9-3-2 (28 shots-23 saves). Calgary, Glover 12-8-0-0 (29 shots-27 saves).
A-8,104
Referees-Andy Thiessen (11).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Aidan Henderson (78).

Moose Jaw at Calgary

2012-01-13T12:07:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (22-16-2-1) put a season high five game winning streak on the line tonight as they host the Moose Jaw Warriors (25-14-4-1). Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. Both teams enter play off healthy breaks. The Hitmen haven't played since Sunday's 6-3 come from behind win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes while Moose Jaw has been idle since Saturday's 3-2 victory in Kootenay.

The Hitmen enter play with 47 points to sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, one point up on Brandon and two points back of Saskatoon for sixth. Moose Jaw has 55 points to sit second in the conference, a point ahead of Kootenay, but six points back of Edmonton for top spot.

Calgary and Moose Jaw have met twice this season with both meetings in Saskatchewan. Cody Sylvester leads the Hitmen with three points (2g 1a) in the season series, while Canadian World Junior Quinton Howden tops Moose Jaw with four points (2g 2a).
-Nov. 6 in MJ: Warriors 3 Hitmen 2 OT. The Warriors overcame a 2-0 first period deficit with Quinton Howden scoring the winner 1:22 into sudden death.
-Nov. 23 in MJ: Hitmen 5 Warriors 2. Cody Sylvester led the way for Calgary with 2g 1a.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on goal: Calgary 67 Moose Jaw 61 Powerplays: Calgary 1-12 Moose Jaw 3-14

DRIVE FOR FIVE: During the Hitmen's current season high five game winning streak they have outscored their opponents by a combined 29-14 while also holding a 177-133 shot clock advantage. In that span Calgary has gone 8-29 on the powerplay (27.5%) while killing 20 of 25 (80%) opposition chances.

STREAKIN': Seven Hitmen take point scoring streaks into tonight's game. Brooks Macek (4g 4a), Alex Gogolev (3g 3a) and Victor Rask (2g 4a) are all riding five game runs. Brady Bassart (3g 2a) and Chase Clayton (5g) have points in three straight while Danny Gayle (1g 4a) and Jaynen Rissling (1g 1a) have points in back-to-back games. Alex Roach is a combined +7 during his last five games. Goaltender Brandon Glover has won his last three starts, while Chris Driedger has won two straight.

FORMER TEAMMATES SQUARE OFF: The Calgary roster features four former Moose Jaw Warriors: Collin Bowman, Danny Gayle, Brandon Glover and Joey Kornelsen. Meanwhile Moose Jaw has three former Hitmen: Cody Beach, Justin Kirsch and Kenton Miller.

MILLER TIME: Former Hitmen Kenton Miller is riding a two game point streak (1g 2a). He also has a combine six goals in his last 10 games.

HOME AND AWAY: Calgary is 9-7-0-1 on home ice, while Moose Jaw is 8-9-2-0 on the road.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 15g 29a 44pts
Jimmy Bubnick 17g 19a 36pts
Alex Gogolev 16g 15a 31pts
Brady Brassart 14g 17a 31pts

Moose Jaw:
Cam Braes 24g 21a 45pts
James Henry 6g 35a 41pts
Sam Fioretti 14g 19a 33pts

UP NEXT: The Hitmen will host Calgary Flames prospect, Laurent Brossoit and the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings in a Sunday matinee. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Two Hitmen in Mid-Term Rankings

2012-01-11T12:14:00.001-07:00

NHL Central Scouting has released its Mid-Term Rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The list includes two members of the Calgary Hitmen.

Chris Driedger is ranked 12th among North American goalies. The 17-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba is in his second season in the Western Hockey League, joining the Hitmen in an off-season trade with the Tri-City Americans. Driedger recorded his first career WHL shutout on New Year's Day making 27 saves in Kelowna. In 24 appearances this season he's posted a record of 11-7-2-1 with a 3.01 goals against average and a .886 save percentage.

Bio: #33- Chris Driedger, G (6’2.5” 186lbs) (DREE-gurr)
- Acquired from the Tri-City Americans on July 20/2011 in exchange for a third round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Attended the 2011 Hockey Canada Program of Excellence goaltending camp where he was one of just 16 invites, including four from the WHL
- Backstopped Manitoba to a silver medal at the 2009 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup.
- Was one of 36 top rated prospects for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft who attended the 2011 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp in Toronto this past August.
- Currently the number two ranked WHL goaltender by Central Scouting for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Jaynen Rissling is ranked 165th among North American Skaters. The 18-year-old from Edmonton, AB has a late birthday and therefore was not eligible for the draft last season. Rissling has been an anchor on the Hitmen blueline this season eating a lot of big minutes while paired with 20-year-old Collin Bowman. In 39 games the left handed rearguard has 17 points (3g 14a) to go along with 83 penalty minutes.

#9- Jaynen Rissling, D (6’4” 222lbs) (RIZZ-ling)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the 6th round (129th overall) of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft
- His father, Kelly, played in the WHL with the Lethbridge Broncos (’78-’80) and Portland Winterhawks (’80-’81)
- In his third season in the WHL
- Was a member of the 2010 WHL Champion Hitmen

The 2012 NHL Entry Draft will be held at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from June 22 to 23.

Click here to see the complete draft rankings list

Hitmen stand pat at WHL Trade Deadline

2012-01-10T15:35:00.001-07:00

The Western Hockey League Trade Deadline has passed with no transactions to report out of Calgary.

CTV's Glenn Campbell and I caught up with Hitmen General Manager Kelly Kisio post deadline to get his thoughts.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Something to keep in mind as well, after a rough 1-4-0-1 start to the season, Calgary has gone 21-12-2-0.

WHL Trade Deadline Day

2012-01-10T11:49:00.001-07:00

The Western Hockey League Trade Deadline will pass at 3:00 p.m. MST this afternoon. I'll be heading to the rink to interview Hitmen GM Kelly Kisio to talk about any moves the Hitmen did or didn't make. I'll post the interview on this blog likely before 4:00 p.m.

In the meantime you can follow the WHL Trade Deadline Tracker Here!

Calgary 6 Lethbridge 3

2012-01-08T18:24:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen extended their season high winning streak to five games with a 6-3 home ice victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Hitmen scored six unanswered goals erasing a 3-0 second period deficit.

Brady Brassart and Brooks Macek led the Calgary scoring attack with three points each. Brassart had two goals and an assist while Macek had a goal and two assists.

Victor Rask, in his first game back since winning a Gold Medal for Team Sweden at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship, Chase Clayton and Jimmy Bubnick also scored for the Hitmen who trailed 3-2 after forty minutes.

Brock Sutherland chipped in a pair of assists for Calgary who tied a season high with 47 shots on goal, including 19 in the third period.

Brandon Glover made 21 saves in the Hitmen net to pick up his 11th win of the season.

Calgary, now 22-16-2-1 on the season, pulls into a tie with the Saskatoon Blades for sixth in the WHL Eastern Conference with 47 points.

The Hitmen will wrap up this three game home stand next weekend hosting Canadian World Junior Quinton Howden and the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. before welcoming Calgary Flames prospect Laurent Brossoit and the Edmonton Oil Kings Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

Lethbridge Hurricanes 3 at Calgary Hitmen 6
Sunday, January 8, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Lethbridge 1 2 0 - 3
Calgary 0 2 4 - 6

1st Period
1, Lethbridge, Tot 6 (Sutter, Hood), 17:15.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (interference), 3:52; Oslanski Let (tripping), 7:45; Rissling Cal (slashing), 11:32; Braes Let (slashing), 18:22.

2nd Period
2, Lethbridge, Braes 24 (Ramsay, Buonassisi), 4:21.
3, Lethbridge, Buonassisi 11 (Braes, Johnston), 7:31 (PP).
4, Calgary, Brassart 13 (Rissling, Macek), 17:10 (PP).
5, Calgary, Rask 17 (Macek), 19:43.
Penalties-Helgesen Cal (holding), 2:18; Gogolev Cal (tripping), 5:52; Maxwell Let (roughing), 8:09; Sylvester Cal (roughing), 8:09; Sutter Let (inter. on goaltender), 9:10; Yakubowski Let (checking from behind), 15:47; Hood Let (roughing), 18:55; Brassart Cal (roughing), 18:55; Blomqvist Let (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:39; Bubnick Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:39.

3rd Period
6, Calgary, Clayton 7 (Gogolev, Brassart), 7:24.
7, Calgary, Brassart 14 (Chase, Sutherland), 11:59.
8, Calgary, Macek 11 13:50.
9, Calgary, Bubnick 17 (Sutherland) 18:58 (SH).
Penalties-Hood Let (charging), 1:26; Erkamps Let (cross checking), 5:14; Blomqvist Let (interference), 9:57; Galbraith Let (boarding), 14:28; Mckechnie Let (roughing), 14:28; Kornelsen Cal (roughing), 14:28; Blomqvist Let (checking from behind), 16:09; Clayton Cal (slashing), 17:54; Watson Let (roughing), 19:42; Helgesen Cal (roughing), 19:42.

Shots on Goal-Lethbridge 8-12-4-24. Calgary 14-12-21-47.
Power Play Opportunities-Lethbridge 0 / 4; Calgary 1 / 9.
Goalies-Lethbridge, Ketlo 12-14-0-0 (47 shots-41 saves). Calgary, Glover 11-8-0-0 (24 shots-21 saves).
A-10,153
Referees-Colin Stefanyk (14), Matt Thurston (64).
Linesmen-Steve Cochrane (125), Scott Sharun (103).

Lethbridge at Calgary

2012-01-08T10:25:00.002-07:00

HITMEN HEADLINES: The Calgary Hitmen (21-16-2-1) are back in Scotiabank Saddledome this afternoon to host the Lethbridge Hurricanes (16-26-0-1) in their first home game since December 16th. The Hitmen are fresh off a BC Division road trip where they won four of five games. After dropping the opener in Prince George, Calgary rattled off wins in Kamloops, Kelowna, Victoria and Vancouver tying their season high four game winning streak. The trip came to a close Wednesday night in Vancouver with a 6-4 victory. Collin Bowman led the way with a goal and two assists. He was also +4. Chase Clayton scored the game winner with 4:15 remaining snapping a 4-4 third period tie. Calgary is seven points ahead of Red Deer for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but trail Brandon by just a single point for seventh and Saskatoon by two points for sixth.

VS. LETHBRIDGE: Today is the fourth of six meetings with the Hurricanes. Calgary is 1-1-1-0 against the ‘Canes. The Hitmen have twice fired a season high 47 shots in a single game against Lethbridge. The team scoring first has won all three meetings. Alex Gogolev tops the Hitmen with seven points (3g 4a) in the season series while Victor Rask (2g 3a) and Cody Sylvester (1g 4a) have five points each. Cam Braes leads Lethbridge in scoring against the Hitmen with six points (4g 2a) while Brody Sutter is next with five (2g 3a).
-Sept. 30 in Leth: Hurricanes 6 Hitmen 5. Brandon Anderson made 42 saves in the ‘Canes net. Jay Merkely 2g 1a.
-Nov. 13 in Cal: Hitmen 6 Hurricanes 2. Alex Gogolev 2g 2a.
- Dec. 14 in Leth: Hurricanes 6 Hitmen 5 OT. Cam Braes forced sudden death with 25 seconds remaining leading to Graham Hood’s winner 21 seconds into the extra session
INSIDE THE SERIES
SHOTS ON GOAL: Cal 123 Leth 96 POWERPLAYS: Cal 6-11 (54.5%) Leth 4-12 (33.3%)
They will close out their season series with a pair of games in March: The 9th in Lethbridge followed by the 14th in Calgary.

HOME SWEET ‘DOME: Today marks the start of a stretch that will see the Hitmen play eight of their next nine games at Scotiabank Saddledome. Heading into this afternoon, the Hitmen have played only 16 games at home compared to 24 on the road.

GOLD MEDALIST: Rookie Victor Rask won a Gold Medal for Team Sweden at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. It marked the 13th straight year a Hitmen player has been part of this prestigious tournament. Rask finished the tournament with one assist in six games to go along with 14 shots on goal.

TEAM PACIFIC: Greg Chase, the only 16-year-old rookie on the team this season, helped Team Pacific to a fifth place finish at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, Ontario. In five games, Chase finished the tournament with six points (1g 5a). Two current Calgary Hitmen, Chase Clayton and Rob Trzonkowski, represented Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Winnipeg, Manitoba one year ago.

CAREER YEARS: Cody Sylvester has 44 points, 12 more than his previous career best of 32 set last season. Danny Gayle has 27 points, six more than his previous high of 21 set last season. Brady Brassart has 12 goals, three more than his previous best of nine in his rookie campaign two seasons ago. Second year forward Chase Clayton has 13 points, four more than his nine point rookie season.

STREAKIN: Ten Hitmen take point scoring streaks into today’s game. Alex Gogolev (3g 2a), Brooks Macek (3g 2a) and Victor Rask (1g 4a) are riding four game streaks. Cody Sylvester (1g 5a), Collin Bowman (1g 4a), Chase Clayton (4g), Danny Gayle (1g 4a), Joey Kornelsen (1g 2a), Brady Brassart (1g 1a) and Peter Kosterman (2a) all have points in back-to-back games. Defencemen Alex Roach and Jaynen Rissling are both a combined +6 over their last four games.

DID YOU KNOW? Chris Driedger recorded his first WHL shutout New Year’s Day in Kelowna. The 27 save milestone came in his 45th appearance for the 17-year-old. Chase Clayton recorded his first WHL hat-trick January 3rd in Victoria. Jimmy Bubnick played his 300th career regular season game December 30th in Kamloops. Calgary’s top two picks from the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft both played on the BC road trip. Jake Virtanen had a pair of goals in five games, while Josh Thrower has an assist in two games.

MAJOR IMPROVEMENT: The Hitmen have won 21 games, one more than their win total from all of last season.

WHL LEADERS: Alex Gogolev is eighth in WHL rookie scoring with 30 points while teammate Victor Rask is ninth with 29 points. Hitmen defenceman Collin Bowman is tied for 13th among WHL defencemen in points with 27.

CAREER WATCH: Cody Sylvester is two goals shy of 50 while Trevor Cheek needs on point for 50.

HITMEN ALUMNUS: Paul Postma, who played parts of two seasons with the Hitmen (2007-08 to 2008-09), is in the American Hockey League with the St. John’s IceCaps. The 22-year-old defenceman has 27 points (6g 21a) in 26 games. He has also played three games with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets this season.

UP NEXT: The Hitmen will wrap up this three game home stand next weekend hosting Canadian World Junior Quinton Howden and the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. before welcoming Calgary Flames prospect Laurent Brossoit and the Edmonton Oil Kings Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Calgary 6 Vancouver 4

2012-01-05T04:02:00.004-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen extended their winning streak to four games, matching their previous season high, with a 6-4 win over the Vancouver Giants Wednesday night at Pacific Coliseum.

Six different Hitmen scored in the win as Jake Virtanen, Jaynen Rissling, Brooks Macek, Danny Gayle, Chase Clayton and Collin Bowman all found the back of the net.

Clayton’s goal was the game winner breaking a 4-4 third period tie with 4:15 remaining.

Cody Sylvester and Joey Kornelsen both chipped in a pair of assists as 11 different Hitmen had at least a single point. Collin Bowman led the charge with three (1g 2a).

The Hitmen wrapped up their five game tour of the BC Division picking up eight of a possible 10 games improving their overall record to 21-16-2-1.

The win also moves Calgary past Brandon and into a tie with the Saskatoon Blades for sixth in the Eastern Conference with 45 points.

The Hitmen will now play eight of their next nine games at Scotiabank Saddledome starting Sunday afternoon. Calgary welcomes the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a 2:00 p.m. start.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.
Click on picture to expand

Calgary Hitmen 6 at Vancouver Giants 4
Wednesday, January 4, 2012 - Pacific Coliseum - Vancouver, BC

Calgary 2 1 3 - 6
Vancouver 2 1 1 - 4

1st Period
1, Vancouver, Martinook 23 (Kuvaev), 0:39.
2, Vancouver, Manning 5 (Bellerive, Henry), 7:56 (PP).
3, Calgary, Virtanen 2 (Kornelsen, Bowman), 12:10.
4, Calgary, Rissling 3 (Gayle, Sylvester), 15:09 (PP).
Penalties-Sylvester Cal (boarding), 5:52; Roach Cal (roughing), 7:29; Burns Van (slashing), 9:29; Fenske Van (holding), 14:48; Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 18:32; Walker Van (major-fighting), 18:32; Vetterl Van (hooking), 19:53.

2nd Period
5, Calgary, Macek 10 (Sylvester, Gogolev), 2:47.
6, Vancouver, Nielsen 1 (Bews, Makin), 4:29.
Penalties-Brooks Cal (major-fighting), 5:26; Makin Van (major-fighting), 5:26; Kornelsen Cal (inter. on goaltender), 14:49; Macek Cal (holding), 15:00; served by Bubnick Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 15:59.

3rd Period
7, Calgary, Gayle 8 (Kornelsen, Kosterman), 13:27.
8, Vancouver, Martinook 24 (Henry, Kuvaev), 14:40.
9, Calgary, Clayton 6 (Brassart, Bowman), 15:45.
10, Calgary, Bowman 10 19:03 (EN).
Penalties-Sylvester Cal (roughing), 7:31; Henry Van (interference), 7:31.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 7-15-17-39. Vancouver 8-10-6-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 3; Vancouver 1 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 11-7-2-1 (24 shots-20 saves). Vancouver, Morrison 23-8-1-1 (38 shots-33 saves).
A-4,615
Referees-Matt Kirk (4), Nick Swaine (35).
Linesmen-Ron Dietterle (121), Justin Hull (49).

Calgary at Vancouver

2012-01-04T10:53:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (20-16-2-1) wrap up a five game in nine days BC Division road trip tonight in Vancouver against the Giants (24-13-1-1). Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 starts at 7:30pm MST with a 30 minute pre-game show. After dropping the opener of the trip, the Hitmen have won three straight posting victories in Kamloops, Kelowna and last night in Victoria. The Giants last played Saturday night beating visiting Prince George 5-1. Overall Vancouver has won four of their last five.

Calgary enters play eighth in the Eastern Conference with 41 points. The Hitmen are 12-9-2-0 on the road. Vancouver is fourth in the Western Conference with 50 points. The Giants are 14-3-0-1 on home ice.

VS. VANCOUVER: Tonight is the first of two meetings with the Giants. Last season Calgary grabbed three of a possible four points, posting a 4-3 win in Vancouver on December 3rd before a 4-3 home ice shootout loss on February 4th. Over the last five seasons Calgary is 4-0-0-1 at the Pacific Coliseum. The two clubs will wrap up their season series later this month on January 27th in Calgary.

Lifetime Calgary is 8-4 at Pacific Coliseum, the former home of the Vancouver Canucks.

REGULAR SEASON DEBUTS: Josh Thrower, Calgary’s second round pick (23rd overall), made his WHL debut last night in Victoria against the Royals. Wearing number 21, Thrower had one assist and was +2. Meanwhile Jake Virtanen, the number one overall pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, has played all four games for the Hitmen on this road trip. He scored his first WHL goal Friday night in Kamloops. The 15-year-old Abbotsford native is in the BC Major Midget League with the Fraser Valley Bruins where he leads the team in scoring with 33 points (14g, 19a) in 24 games.

CAREER YEARS: Cody Sylvester has 42 points, nine more than his previous career best of 32 set last season. Danny Gayle has 25 points, four more than his previous high of 21 set last season. Brady Brassart has 12 goals, three more than his previous best of nine in his rookie campaign two seasons ago.

300 CLUB: Centre Jimmy Bubnick played his 300th career regular season game Friday night in Kamloops. Bubnick played his first game on December 29, 2006 when he suited up for the Kamloops Blazers against the Moose Jaw Warriors.

STREAKIN: Jimmy Bubnick (3g 4a) is riding a four game point streak. Alex Gogolev has scored in three straight games and in four of his last five. Brooks Macek has points in three straight (2g1a). Alex Roach is a combined +5 in his last three games. Victor Rask (1g, 4a) is on a four-game point streak.

REGULAR SEASON CAREER WATCH: Collin Bowman needs one helper for 100 career assists. Cody Sylvester is two goals away from 50 in his career.

DID YOU KNOW? Chris Driedger recorded his first WHL shutout Sunday in Kelowna. The 27 save milestone came in his 45th appearance for the 17-year-old.

MAJOR IMPROVEMENT: The Hitmen have won 20 games, equalling their win total from all of last season.

WHL LEADERS: Hitmen imports Victor Rask and Alex Gogolev are both tied for eighth in WHL rookie scoring with 29 points. Hitmen defenceman Collin Bowman is tied for 16th among WHL defencemen in points with 24.

WORLD JUNIORS: Rookie Victor Rask is playing for Team Sweden at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Calgary. This is the 13th straight year a Hitmen player has been part of this prestigious tournament. Sweden will face Russia in Thursday’s Gold Medal Game. Rask has an assist to go along with 11 shots on goal thus far.

TEAM PACIFIC: Greg Chase, the only 16-year-old rookie on the team this season, helped Team Pacific to a fifth place finish at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, Ontario. In five games, Chase finished the tournament with six points (1g 5a). Two current Calgary Hitmen, Chase Clayton and Rob Trzonkowski, represented Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Winnipeg, Manitoba one year ago.

HITMEN ALUMNUS: Keith Seabrook, who played parts of two seasons with the Hitmen (2007-08 to 2008-09) is in the American Hockey League with the San Antonio Rampage. The 23-year-old defenceman has six points (1g 5a) in 22 games.

UP NEXT: The Hitmen will play three straight at home and eight of their next nine, starting Sunday afternoon against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Puck drop is 2:00 p.m. for the Tim Hortons Minor Hockey Day game.
Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 15g 26a 41pts
Jimmy Bubnick 16g 19a 35pts
Victor Rask 16g 13a 29pts
Alex Gogolev 16g 13a 29pts

Vancouver
Brendan Gallagher 24g 22a 46pts
Marek Tvrdon 14g 23a 37pts
Cain Franson 15g 21a 36pts

The Giants are without the following players
Anthony Ast – Team Pacific (U-17)
Brendan Gallagher – Canada (WJ)
Jackson Houck – Team Pacific (U-17)
David Musil – Czech Republic (WJ)
Marek Tvrdon – Slovakia (WJ)
Calgary is without:
Greg Chase – Team Pacific (U-17)
Victor Rask – Sweden (WJ)

Calgary 9 Victoria 4

2012-01-04T01:01:00.001-07:00

Chase Clayton scored his first career hat-trick lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 9-4 win over the Victoria Royals Tuesday night at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

Jimmy Bubnick (2g 2a) and Cody Sylvester (1g 3a) both had four points each as the Hitmen scored a season high nine goals en-route to their third straight win.

Joey Kornelsen, Brady Brassart, and Alex Gogolev also struck for Calgary who built period leads of 4-1 and 6-2.

Danny Gayle chipped in three assists while Collin Bowman had a pair of helpers as 12 different players had at least a single point.

Brandon Glover made 22 saves in his first start in his hometown to pick up the win.

The game also saw the WHL debut for 2011 Hitmen second round bantam pick Josh Thrower. The 15-year-old wore number 21 and saw plenty of ice time on the blueline. He finished the game with one assist and was +2.

Calgary is now 3-1 on their current five game road trip through the BC Division.

Overall the Hitmen are 20-16-2-1, matching their win total from all of last season. At 43 points they move six points ahead of Red Deer for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but sit only one point back of the Brandon Wheat Kings for seventh.

Calgary wraps up the road trip tonight in Vancouver against the Giants. Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 7:30 p.m. MST with a 30 minute pre-game show.

The Hitmen will then play their first home game in 22 days when they open a three game home stand Sunday afternoon against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.
Click image to enlarge

Calgary Hitmen 9 at Victoria Royals 4

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena - Victoria, BC

Calgary 4 2 3 - 9
Victoria 1 1 2 - 4

1st Period
1, Calgary, Clayton 3 (Helgesen, Bowman), 2:49.
2, Calgary, Sylvester 15 3:20.
3, Victoria, Nelson 15 (Rintoul, Rathjen), 7:39 (PP).
4, Calgary, Bubnick 15 (Sylvester, Macek), 13:15 (PP).
5, Calgary, Kornelsen 5 (Bubnick, Gayle), 19:47.
Penalties-Macek Cal (cross checking), 6:29; Nelson Vic (interference), 13:08.

2nd Period
6, Calgary, Bubnick 16 (Gayle, Sylvester), 11:57 (PP).
7, Victoria, Nelson 16 (Magee, Jones), 12:17.
8, Calgary, Clayton 4 (Bowman, Glover), 16:27 (PP).
Penalties-Rissling Cal (high sticking, major-fighting), 0:33; Soudek Vic (roughing, major-fighting), 0:33; Bowman Cal (slashing), 4:36; Jones Vic (roughing), 4:36; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 11:25; Traber Vic (slashing, major-fighting), 11:25; Pauls Vic (delay of game), 12:47; Nelson Vic (inter. on goaltender), 15:20; Sutherland Cal (high sticking), 19:44.

3rd Period
9, Calgary, Brassart 12 (Gayle, Kosterman), 13:29.
10, Victoria, Nelson 17 (Sundher, Crooks), 13:52.
11, Calgary, Gogolev 16 (Bubnick, Sylvester), 15:04.
12, Calgary, Clayton 5 (Gogolev, Thrower), 18:36 (SH).
13, Victoria, Jones 11 (Carroll, Forsyth), 19:45.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (major-fighting), 16:48; Kosterman Cal (hooking), 16:48; Sundher Vic (major-fighting), 16:48.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 10-9-8-27. Victoria 8-9-9-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 3 / 4; Victoria 1 / 3.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 10-8-0-0 (26 shots-22 saves). Victoria, Rathjen 0-4-1-0 (27 shots-18 saves).
A-5,204
Referees-Andy Thiessen (11).
Linesmen-Riley Friesen (76), Kirk Van Helvoirt (107).

Calgary at Victoria

2012-01-03T10:32:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (19-16-2-1) play game four of their BC Division road trip tonight on Vancouver Island against the Victoria Royals (13-22-2-2) in the first ever meeting between the two clubs. The Royals relocated from Chilliwack in the off season where they formally played as the Bruins. Calgary has won two in a row while Victoria is winless in their last six going 0-4-1-1. Internet Broadcast on http://www.sportsnet960.ca/ starts at 8:00 p.m. MST. Calgary is 2-1 on this swing, coming off Sunday afternoon's 2-0 shutout win in Kelowna. The Royals last played Friday night, dropping a 7-6 decision on the road in Portland.

The Hitmen enter play with 41 points, three back of Brandon for seventh in the Eastern Conference, and four points up on Red Deer for the final playoff spot. Victoria has 30 points to sit eighth in the Western Conference two points ahead of Prince George for a post season berth but six three points back of both Seattle and Kelowna for sixth.

Calgary is 11-9-2-0 on the road this season, while Victoria is 8-8-1-1 at home.

STREAKIN: Jimmy Bubnick (1g 2a) is riding a three game point streak. Alex Gogolev has scored in back-to-back games and in three of his last four. Brooks Macek also has goals in back-to-back games. He also has an assist in that span (2g 1a). Brock Sutherland is a combined +4 in his last two games.

DID YOU KNOW? Victoria has scored three more goals than the Hitmen this season but have given up 71 more. The Royals have given up four or more goals in 10 straight games.

WHL LEADERS: Victoria's Kevin Sundher is tied for fifth in WHL scoring with 60 points while Logan Nelson is tied for second in rookie scoring with 36 points.....Hitmen defenceman Collin Bowman has cracked the Top 20 in scoring among WHL defencemen. With 22 points, he is tied for 18th.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 14g 24a 38pts
Jimmy Bubnick 14g 17a 31pts
Victor Rask 16g 13a 29pts

Victoria
Kevin Sundher 22g 38a 60pts
Jamie Crooks 20g 18a 38pts
Robin Soudek 17g 19a 36pts
Logan Nelson 14g 22a 36pts

Hitmen Spencer Humphries and Kenton Helgesen on the ferry ride to Victoria on Monday

Calgary 2 Kelowna 0

2012-01-01T18:32:00.002-07:00

Kelowna, BC – Chris Driedger (Dree-GUR) made 27 saves for his first career Western Hockey League shutout backstopping the Calgary Hitmen to a 2-0 win over the Kelowna Rockets on New Year’s Day at Prospera Place.

Brooks Macek with his ninth goal of the season early in the first period, and Alex Gogolev with his 15th late in the second period, provided all the scoring the Hitmen would need.

Macek, a Detroit Red Wings prospect, scored on a bullet slap shot in the high slot, while Gogolev, a Russian rookie, pulled a cross crease deke.

The penalty killing unit turned in a brilliant performance for both teams as Calgary and Kelowna went a combined 0-9 on the powerplay.

The win was Calgary’s second in row, improving their record to 2-1 on their current five game road trip through the BC Division.

Overall the Hitmen are 19-16-2-1. At 41 points they move four points ahead of Red Deer for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but now sit only three points back of the Brandon Wheat Kings for seventh.

The Hitmen return to action Tuesday when they make their first ever trip to Vancouver Island to face the Victoria Royals. The road trip winds up on day later in Vancouver against the Giants.

Listen to a post game interview with Chris Driedger here

Click on image to expand to full size

Calgary Hitmen 2 at Kelowna Rockets 0
Sunday, January 1, 2012 - Prospera Place - Kelowna, BC

Calgary 1 1 0 - 2
Kelowna 0 0 0 - 0

1st Period
1, Calgary, Macek 9 (Sutherland), 1:12.
Penalties-Smith Kel (roughing), 9:10; Bulmer Kel (interference), 11:28; Goulbourne Kel (slashing), 11:32; Trzonkowski Cal (high sticking), 15:07; Bowman Cal (major-fighting), 17:47; Goulbourne Kel (major-fighting), 17:47.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Gogolev 15 (Bubnick), 19:31.
Penalties-Kosterman Cal (kneeing), 1:49; Virtanen Cal (hooking), 5:31; Astles Kel (tripping), 8:44.

3rd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Bulmer Kel (interference), 8:51; Bowman Cal (holding), 16:36; Sutherland Cal (roughing), 17:47; McColgan Kel (roughing), 17:47; Bubnick Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:58; Heffley Kel (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:58.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 17-10-8-35. Kelowna 15-6-6-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 5; Kelowna 0 / 4.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 10-7-2-1 (27 shots-27 saves). Kelowna, Cooke 3-3-2-2 (35 shots-33 saves).
A-6,174
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Jeff Ingram (82).
Linesmen-Kevin Bennett (29), Mike Langin (67).

Calgary at Kelowna

2012-01-01T09:52:00.003-07:00

Happy New Year!!

The Calgary Hitmen (18-16-2-1) play game three of a five-game BC Division road trip today in Kelowna against the Rockets (14-18-2-3). The Hitmen are 1-1 on the swing so far, dropping a 3-1 decision in Prince George on Wednesday before posting a 6-3 win in Kamloops Friday night. Internet Broadcast on http://www.sportsnet960.ca/ starts at 3:00 p.m. MST. The Rockets are coming off Thursday's 5-1 loss in Kennewick to the WHL leading Tri-City Americans. The Hitmen are 10-9-2-0 in enemy rinks this season, including a 1-2 record in their last three visits to Kelowna. The Rockets are 9-9-0-1 on home ice but have dropped three of their last four at Prospera Place.

VS. KELOWNA: Today is the first of three meetings with the Rockets. Last season they met twice at Scotiabank Saddledome with Kelowna posting wins of 5-1 and 4-3 in OT. The two clubs will square off again this season February 17th in Kelowna and February 26th in Calgary.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: Collin Bowman returns to Kelowna today where he started his WHL career. He broke into the WHL with the Rockets playing his first regular season game on February 20th, 2007 against the Chilliwack Bruins. Bowman played parts of four seasons with the Rockets (2006-07 to 2009-10) helping Kelowna beat the Calgary Hitmen in the 2009 Western Hockey League Final.
Pictured, Collin Bowman who played his first 206 regular season games with the Rockets

WORLD JUNIORS: Rookie Victor Rask is playing for Team Sweden at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Calgary and Edmonton. This is the 13th straight year a Hitmen player has been part of this prestigious tournament. Sweden won their group and receives a bye advancing straight to Tuesday’s semi-final against the winner of Finland and Slovakia. Rask has an assist to go along with 10 shots on goal thus far.

TEAM PACIFIC: Greg Chase, the only 16-year-old rookie on the team this season, is on Team Pacific at 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, Ontario. Team Pacific is 3-0 in the preliminary round after a 4-3 win over Russia yesterday. Chase had a pair of assists in the victory to give him four points (4a) in the tournament thus far. Team Pacific gets today off but will face Team U-S-A tomorrow in their final game before the playoff round. Two current Calgary Hitmen, Chase Clayton and Rob Trzonkowski, represented Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Winnipeg, Manitoba one year ago.

STREAKS: Victor Rask (1g, 4a) is on a four-game point streak. Jimmy Bubnick (1g 1a) has points in back-to-back games.

REGULAR SEASON CAREER WATCH: Brooks Macek hit the 50 goal mark Friday in Kamloops. Collin Bowman needs three helpers for 100 career assists. Cody Sylvester is three goals away from 50 in his career.

HITMEN ALUMNUS: Kyle Bortis, who played parts of two seasons with the Hitmen (2007-08 to 2008-09), is in the CIS with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies where he leads the Canada West Scoring race with 28 points (13g 15a) in 16 games.

UP NEXT: The Hitmen are in Victoria on Tuesday before wrapping up their road trip Wednesday in Vancouver. Calgary returns to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Sunday, January 8th to host the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Puck drop is 2:00 p.m. for the Tim Hortons Minor Hockey Day game.
Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 14g 24a 38pts
Jimmy Bubnick 14g 16a 30pts
Victor Rask 16g 13a 29pts

Kelowna
Shane McColgan 10g 26a 36pts
Colton Sissons 21g 7a 28pts
Brett Bulmer 14g 14a 28pts

Calgary 6 Kamloops 3

2011-12-31T01:47:00.003-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen got goals from six different players en-route to a 6-3 win over the Canadian Hockey League’s number seven ranked Kamloops Blazers Friday night at Interior Savings Centre.

After giving up the opening goal, the Hitmen scored five answered building period leads of 3-1 and 5-1.

Jake Virtanen, Collin Bowman, Calder Brooks, Brooks Macek, Jimmy Bubnick and Alex Gogolev all scored for Calgary.

For Virtanen it was his first goal in the Western Hockey League in just his second game while Bubnick scored on a night when he played his 300th regular season game.

Both Bowman and Brooks chipped in a pair of assists to finish with three points each.

Kamloops outshot the Hitmen 32-29 with Brandon Glover making 29 saves in the win.

Calgary, 18-16-2-1 on the season moves two points ahead of Red Deer for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Hitmen, now 1-1 on their five game BC road trip, return to action on New Year’s Day in Kelowna for a matinee against the Rockets.

Calgary Hitmen 6 at Kamloops Blazers 3
Friday, December 30, 2011 - Interior Savings Centre - Kamloops, BC

Calgary 3 2 1 - 6
Kamloops 1 0 2 - 3

1st Period
1, Kamloops, Madaisky 9 (Willick, Schaber), 5:40 (PP).
2, Calgary, Virtanen 1 (Brooks, Bowman), 11:50.
3, Calgary, Rissling 3 (Bowman, Brooks), 12:35.
4, Calgary, Brooks 3 (Brassart, Clayton), 19:46 (PP).
Penalties-Clayton Cal (tripping), 5:25; Bowman Cal (roughing), 6:37; Madaisky Kam (roughing), 6:37; Schaber Kam (hooking), 7:19; Rissling Cal (interference), 13:03; Maschmeyer Kam (hooking), 18:57; Bowman Cal (roughing), 19:46.

2nd Period
5, Calgary, Macek 8 (Clayton, Brassart), 6:15 (PP).
6, Calgary, Bubnick 14 (Bowman, Gayle), 13:47 (PP).
Penalties-Ranford Kam (checking to the head), 5:09; Trzonkowski Cal (roughing), 7:44; Hansen Kam (roughing), 12:22; Maschmeyer Kam (interference), 14:39; Gayle Cal (slashing), 16:56; Rissling Cal (elbowing), 18:49.

3rd Period
7, Kamloops, Bozon 17 (Lipon, Smith), 0:53.
8, Kamloops, Thomson 1 (Bozon, Madaisky), 7:27 (PP).
9, Calgary, Gogolev 14 9:09.
Penalties-Kosterman Cal (holding), 2:17; Brassart Cal (embellishment), 6:49; Ranford Kam (hooking), 10:30; Trzonkowski Cal (checking to the head), 12:56; Brassart Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:58; Schaber Kam (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:58; Roach Cal (10-minute misconduct), 16:35; Ranford Kam (10-minute misconduct), 16:35; Souto Kam (inter. on goaltender), 16:35; Lipon Kam (interference), 17:40; Sylvester Cal (cross checking), 18:48; Bell Kam (cross checking), 18:48.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 10-11-8-29. Kamloops 9-6-17-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 3 / 8; Kamloops 2 / 9.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 9-8-0-0 (32 shots-29 saves). Kamloops, Lanigan 7-4-0-0 (10 shots-7 saves); Cheveldave 17-5-1-2 (19 shots-16 saves).
A-4,013
Referees-Nick Swaine (35), Colby Smith (57).
Linesmen-Ryan Dawson (134), Michael Boisvert (111).

Calgary at Kamloops

2011-12-30T11:16:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (17-16-2-1) play game two of a five-game BC Division road trip tonight in Kamloops against the Canadian Hockey League's number seven ranked Blazers (25-9-1-2). Internet Broadcast on http://www.sportsnet960.com/ starts at 8pm MST. The Hitmen opened the swing Wednesday with a 3-1 loss in Prince George. The Cougars got a 37 save performance from Drew Owsley and scored once in each period en-route to victory. Kamloops also last played Wednesday night skating to a 3-1 home ice win over Vancouver. The Blazers scored once in each period and out shot the Giants 34-19.

Calgary enters tonight tied with Red Deer for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth after the Rebels win over Kootenay last night. Both teams with 37 points sit four points back of the Saskatoon Blades for seventh. The Hitmen have a game in hand on both clubs. Kamloops meanwhile leads the BC Division with 53 points. They are number two in the Western Conference, three points back of the front running Tri-City Americans.

Heading into tonight Calgary is winless in their last four (0-3-1-0), while Kamloops is without a regulation loss over their last five (3-0-0-2).

The Hitmen are winless in their last five road games (0-4-1-0) but 9-9-2-0 overall away from the 'Dome this season. The Blazers have won six straight at home posting an overall record of 13-5-0-0 at Interior Savings Centre.

VS. KAMLOOPS: Tonight is the first of two meetings with the Blazers. Last season they met three times with Calgary going 0-2-1-0 against Kamloops. Their lone meeting in Kamloops saw the Blazers post a 3-2 OT win on January 4th. Brendan Ranford netted the overtime winner as the Blazers out shot the Hitmen 33-19.

300 CLUB LOOMING: Former Kamloops Blazer Jimmy Bubnick will play his 300th career regular season game tonight. Through the first 299 WHL contests, Bubnick has collected 194 points (86g 108a). Bubnick played his first game on December 29, 2006 when he suited up for the Kamloops Blazers against the Moose Jaw Warriors. He picked up an assist in the 5-4 overtime win.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 14g 24a 38pts
Victor Rask 16g 13a 29pts
Jimmy Bubnick 13g 16a 29pts

Kamloops
Brendan Ranford 19g 25a 45pts
Colin Smith 19g 22a 41pts
JC Lipon 13g 24a 37pts

DO YOU REMEMBER? Former Hitmen Austin Madaisky and Chase Schaber were traded to Kamloops in a January 2010 trade deadline deal that saw the Hitmen acquire Jimmy Bubnick, Tyler Shattock and Zak Stebner. A pair of conditional draft picks also changed hands. Madaisky is the Blazers top scoring defenceman this season with 28 points, while Schaber is fifth in team scoring with 30 points.

STREAKS: Victor Rask (1g, 4a) is on a four-game point streak. Cody Sylvester (1g 1a) has points in back-to-back games. Trevor Cheek (3g 3a) had his four game point streak snapped Wednesday in Prince George.

WORLD JUNIORS: Rookie Victor Rask is playing for Team Sweden at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Calgary and Edmonton. This is the 13th straight year a Hitmen player has been part of this prestigious tournament. Sweden is 2-0 and will play Slovakia today. Rask has an assist thus far.

TEAM PACIFIC: Greg Chase, the only 16-year-old rookie on the team this season, is on Team Pacific at 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, Ontario. Team Pacific opened with a 5-2 win over Team West yesterday but Chase was held off the score sheet. Team Pacific plays the Czech Republic today. Two current Calgary Hitmen, Chase Clayton and Rob Trzonkowski, represented Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Winnipeg, Manitoba one year ago.

Prince George 3 Calgary 1

2011-12-28T23:43:00.002-07:00

Prince George, BC – Drew Owsley made 37 saves to back stop the Prince George Cougars to a 3-1 win over the visiting Calgary Hitmen Wednesday night at CN Centre.

Troy Bourke, John Odgers and Austin Daae all scored for Prince George who built period leads of 1-0 and 2-1.

Cody Sylvester, with his 14th goal of the season, scored the lone Calgary marker as the Hitmen opened a five road trip through the BC Division.

Calgary’s top pick, and the number one overall selection in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, Jake Virtanen made his regular season debut. The 15-year-old was summoned from the Fraser Valley Bruins where he leads the BC Major Midget team in scoring with 33 points in 24 games.

Calgary, 17-16-2-1 on the season, will return to action Friday night in Kamloops against the BC Division leading Blazers.

Internet Broadcast on sportsnet960.ca starts at 8:00 p.m. MST.

Calgary Hitmen 1 at Prince George Cougars 3
Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - CN Centre - Prince George, BC

Calgary 0 1 0 - 1
Prince George 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period
1, Prince George, Bourke 9 (Fraser, Asuchak), 9:25.
Penalties-Asuchak P.g (hooking), 2:53; Cheek Cal (roughing), 4:29; Forsberg P.g (tripping), 4:29; Smith P.G. (roughing), 4:29; Brassart Cal (hooking), 6:17; Rissling Cal (interference), 11:19; Brassart Cal (embellishment), 19:00; Smith P.g (roughing), 19:00.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Sylvester 14 (Bubnick), 14:56.
3, Prince George, Odgers 1 (Smith), 17:52.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (tripping), 0:56; Cheek Cal (roughing), 8:26; Carlson P.g (roughing), 8:26; Brassart Cal (holding), 15:35.

3rd Period
4, Prince George, Daae 1 (Belter, Carlson), 9:41.
Penalties-Virtanen Cal (roughing), 7:51; Fraser P.g (roughing), 7:51; Rissling Cal (roughing), 10:33; Elynuik P.g (roughing), 10:33; Springer P.g (roughing), 10:33; Smith P.g (tripping), 13:41.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 14-11-13-38. Prince George 13-9-8-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 4; Prince George 0 / 4.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 8-8-0-0 (30 shots-27 saves). Prince George, Owsley 12-18-0-1 (38 shots-37 saves).
A-2,532
Referees-Jon Stephenson (38), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Adam Hyatt (16), Alex Teichroeb (120).

Calgary at Prince George

2011-12-28T12:52:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (17-15-2-1) open a five game in eight days BC Division road trip tonight in Prince George against the Cougars (12-20-0-2). Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet960 The Fan will be joined in progress following coverage of Team Canada at the World Juniors. Internet Broadcast on fan960.com starts at 8:00 p.m. MST. It's the first of two meetings between the two clubs this season as PG will make a return trip to Scotiabank Saddledome on January 20th. The Hitmen skated last night in Prince George as a team for the first time since their final game prior to the break on December 17th in Edmonton. They also hit the ice today for a morning skate.

As I mentioned on the blog yesterday, Jake Virtanen will play his first regular season game for the Hitmen this season. The 15-year-old first overall bantam pick in 2011 has been summoned from the BC Major Midget League's Fraser Valley Bruins.

There are a few line-up notes for both teams. For the Hitmen both Victor Rask (Team Sweden 2012 World Juniors) and Greg Chase (Team Pacific 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge) will miss the game and presumably most of the road trip at International tournaments while defenceman Spencer Humphries is out three weeks with an upper body injury. For Prince George Martin Marincin (Team Slovakia 2012 World Juniors) and four others Jarrett Fontaine (Team West), Alex Forsberg (Team West), Jordan Tkatch (Team West) and Chase Witala (Team Pacific) are all at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Calgary holds the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 37 points, two points ahead of Red Deer and four points back of both Saskatoon and Regina. Prince George meanwhile with 26 points is ninth in the 10 team Western Conference, three points back of Seattle for a playoff berth.

The Hitmen are 9-8-2-0 on the road this season, while the Cougars are 3-11-0-1 on home ice.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 13g 24a 37pts
Victor Rask 16g 13a 29pts
Jimmy Bubnick 13g 15a 28pts

Prince George
Alex Forsberg 11g 15g 26pts
Troy Bourke 8g 17a 25pts
Cody Carlson 4g 20a 24pts

This is just one of many impressive Cougar Alumni tributes found on the concourse in the CN Centre. Hamhuis, as many of you know, now stars with the Vancouver Canucks.

One final note a good read on three Hitmen prospects courtesy of the Calgary Sun can be found here. Click here to read

Virtanen gets the call

2011-12-27T16:49:00.000-07:00

The number one overall pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft will make his Calgary Hitmen debut tomorrow night when the club begins its post Christmas schedule in Prince George against the Cougars.

15-year-old Jake Virtanen will wear #18 in his Hitmen regular season debut. The speedy forward from Abbotsford, BC had two points (1g 1a) in two pre-season games.

This season Virtanen is in the BC Major Midget League with the Fraser Valley Bruins where he leads the team in scoring with 33 points (14g 19a) in 24 games. He's also tied for ninth in overall league scoring.

Virtanen has already been named to the 2012 Major Midget League All Star Game that will be played on January 13. Some notable BC Major Midget League graduates who have competed in the All Star Game include:

•Griffin Reinhart of the Edmonton Oil Kings (Team Blue 2010)
•Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers (Team White 2009)
•Brett Connolly of the Tampa Bay Lightning (Team White 2008)
•Evander Kane of the Winnipeg Jets (Team White 2007)

Hitmen well represented at the Mac's Tournament

2011-12-27T16:41:00.001-07:00

There are eight Calgary Hitmen prospects playing in 34th annual Mac’s Midget AAA Hockey Tournament.

The list includes four Hitmen picks from the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, including three of the club’s top four selections.

Games in the prestigious Calgary tournament began Boxing Day at four different arenas around the city with the final set for 6:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day at Scotiabank Saddledome.

To track the scores click here.

Below is the complete list of participating Hitmen Prospects.

Beardy’s Blackhawks (3)
Brett Boehm (1994 Forward)
How acquired: Protected list addition
Braden Oleksyn (1996 Forward)
How acquired: 3rd round pick in 2011 WHL Bantam Draft
Elliott Peterson (1995 Forward)
How acquired: 11th round pick in 2010 WHL Bantam Draft

Calgary Northstars (1)
Ben Thomas (1996 Defenceman)
How acquired: 3rd round pick in 2011 WHL Bantam Draft

Prince Albert Mintos (1)
Ryan Duret (1996 Forward)
How acquired: 6th round pick in 2011 WHL Bantam Draft

Saskatoon Contacts (1)
Austin Calladine (1995 Forward)
How acquired: 2nd round pick in 2010 WHL Bantam Draft

Vancouver NE Chiefs (1)
Jace Hennig (1995 Forward)
Protected list addition

Vancouver NW Giants (1)
Josh Thrower (1996 Defenceman)
How acquired: 2nd round pick in 2011 WHL Bantam Draft

**Two additional Hitmen prospects on the Saskatoon Contacts, defenceman Colby Harmsworth and goalie Mac Shields, are both attending the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and are unavailable for the Mac’s Tournament.**

Edmonton 2 Calgary 1

2011-12-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

Edmonton, AB – T.J. Foster broke a 1-1 second period tie scoring on the powerplay lifting the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 2-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen Saturday night at Rexall Place.

The win was Edmonton’s 15th straight on home ice.

Alex Gogolev opened the scoring for Calgary counting his 13th of the season but Mitchell Moroz drew Edmonton even scoring with just 13.9 seconds left in the opening period.

Both goaltenders were excellent in net. Brandon Glover made 31 saves for the Hitmen in a second star performance while Laurent Brossoit stopped 21 shots for Edmonton including a pair of breakaways to earn first star honours.

Calgary, 17-15-2-1 on the season, will now enjoy a 10 day Christmas Break before starting a five game BC road trip December 28th in Prince George against the Cougars.

The Hitmen head into the break holding the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 37 points.

Calgary Hitmen 1 at Edmonton Oil Kings 2Saturday, December 17, 2011 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Calgary 1 0 0 - 1
Edmonton 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Gogolev 13 (Sylvester, Chase), 7:16 (PP).
2, Edmonton, Moroz 5 (Corbett), 19:46.
Penalties-Chase Cal (holding), 0:43; Pelss Edm (hooking), 6:00; Lowe Edm (tripping), 6:08; Sautner Edm (cross checking), 10:05.

2nd Period
3, Edmonton, Foster 16 (Corbett, Lazar), 13:58 (PP).
Penalties-Pelss Edm (checking from behind), 4:54; Dech Edm (interference), 8:39; Pelss Edm (hooking), 9:10; Chase Cal (roughing), 11:48; Rissling Cal (holding), 11:48; Legault Edm (roughing), 11:48; Sylvester Cal (cross checking), 12:45; Peddle Edm (tripping), 15:42; Wruck Edm (interference), 18:27.

3rd Period-
No Scoring.
Penalties-Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 2:32; Dech Edm (major-fighting), 2:32; Chase Cal (interference), 4:08; Kornelsen Cal (roughing), 4:08; Lowe Edm (roughing), 4:08; Moroz Edm (roughing), 4:08; Roach Cal (cross checking), 8:06; Rissling Cal (high sticking), 10:38; Trzonkowski Cal (tripping), 17:19; Sutherland Cal (roughing), 18:37.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 13-7-2-22. Edmonton 9-11-13-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 8; Edmonton 1 / 7.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 8-7-0-0 (33 shots-31 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 20-8-1-1 (22 shots-21 saves).
A-10,166
Referees-Jonathan Spurgeon (7), Jon Stephenson (38).
Linesmen-Scott Fulmer (32), Greg Chornohus (127).

Calgary at Edmonton

2011-12-17T14:04:00.002-07:00

Calgary Hitmen (17-14-2-1) play their final game before the Christmas Break tonight on the road in Edmonton against the Oil Kings (22-8-1-2). Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 starts at 7:00 p.m. It's also the Oil Kings teddy bear toss. The Hitmen are coming off last night's 3-2 home ice loss to Regina, a game in which they out shot the Pats 34-16. Edmonton last played Wednesday posting a 6-3 home ice win over the Victoria Royals.

Calgary sits in the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 37 points, four points ahead of ninth place Red Deer. Edmonton meanwhile has won 10 straight, including 14 in a row on home ice to climb to the top of the Eastern Conference with 47 points, a point up on second place Moose Jaw.
Photo Credit: whl.ca Click photo to enlarge

A couple of line-up notes for both teams heading into the game. Calgary will be without the services of forward Brady Brassart. He's been suspended for a match penalty he received towards the end of last nights game against the Pats. Victor Rask will also miss the game. He's joined team Sweden in preparation for the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship. Edmonton will be without Buffalo Sabres first round pick Mark Pysyk. The defenceman is with Team Canada's World Junior Entry.

Tonight is the third of six regular season meetings between the two clubs. Edmonton has won both by a combined score of 12-3. Tyler Maxwell (2g 2a) and Dylan Wruck (1g 3a) both have four points to lead the Oil Kings against Calgary while Flames pick Laurent Brossoit has stopped 46 of the 49 Hitmen shots. Trevor Cheek (1g 1a), Cody Sylvester (1g 1a) and Greg Chase (2a) all have two points each to lead Calgary in the season series.
-Dec. 1 in Edm: Oil Kings 6 Hitmen 1
-Dec. 6 in Edm: Oil Kings 6 Hitmen 2
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on goal: Edm 50 Cal 49 Powerplays: Edm 4-10 Cal 1-9

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester (13g 23a 36pts)
Victor Rask (16g 13a 29pts)
Jimmy Bubnick (13g 15a 28pts)

Edmonton
Michael St. Croix (18g 32a 50pts)
Dylan Wruck (12g 31a 43pts)
T.J. Foster (15g 21a 36pts)

Regina 3 Calgary 2

2011-12-17T00:42:00.001-07:00

Matt Hewitt made 32 saves in a first star performance as the visiting Regina Pats edged the Calgary Hitmen 3-2 Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Hitmen built a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes on a goal from Trevor Cheek outshooting Regina 11-4 in the process.

In the second period Jordan Weal scored and Lane Scheidl scored back-to-back goals to give the Pats the lead. Regina then extended the lead to 3-1 on the eventual game winner from Matt Marantz 6:38 into the third period.

Victor Rask with his team leading 16th goal of the season would pull the Hitmen to within a goal on a two man advantage with just under eight minutes remaining but Calgary would get no closer thanks to Hewitt's work in the Pats net.

The 19-year-old puck stopped made two brilliant saves in the final 15 seconds, one off Brooks Macek and a second off Alex Gogolev to preserve the win.

Regina moves two points ahead of Calgary in the battle for seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Regina Pats 3 at Calgary Hitmen 2
Friday, December 16, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Regina 0 2 1 - 3
Calgary 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Cheek 12 (Clayton, Brooks), 8:37.
Penalties-Scheidl Reg (hooking), 1:36; Jobke Reg (hooking), 19:28.

2nd Period
2, Regina, Weal 18 (Stephenson), 6:51.
3, Regina, Scheidl 11 (Blidstrand, Marantz), 17:18.
Penalties-Bidlevskii Reg (roughing), 3:42; Gogolev Cal (hooking), 9:59; Bowman Cal (charging), 12:21.

3rd Period
4, Regina, Marantz 5 (Weal, Stevenson), 6:38 (PP).
5, Calgary, Rask 16 (Bubnick, Bowman), 11:19 (PP).
Penalties-Blidstrand Reg (high sticking), 0:12; Cheek Cal (cross checking), 2:01; Kornelsen Cal (tripping), 5:36; Klimchuk Reg (slashing), 10:18; Kirkland Reg (high sticking), 11:03; Macek Cal (hooking), 14:25; Brassart Cal (match-attempt/injure), 18:05; Davidson Reg (hooking), 19:50.

Shots on Goal-Regina 4-6-6-16. Calgary 11-8-15-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Regina 1 / 6; Calgary 1 / 6.
Goalies-Regina, Hewitt 16-10-1-1 (34 shots-32 saves). Calgary, Glover 8-5-0-0 (16 shots-13 saves).
A-7,963
Referees-Steve Papp (17), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Jeff Jobson (52), Scott Sharun (103).

Regina at Calgary

2011-12-16T10:34:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (17-13-2-1) play their final home game of 2011 tonight as they host the Regina Pats (17-14-2-1). The game has been moved back an hour from it's original schedule to 8:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. However doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with fans encouraged to come early to watch the Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers game on the Energy Board prior to puck drop. Also bring your signs as tonight's game is televised on Rogers Sportsnet West, Pacific and ONE as part of Friday Night Hockey. The Hitmen and Pats broadcast will be joined in progress following the Flames game. Tonight is Student Night. Show your student I-D at the Scotiabank Saddledome main ticket office to receive a special ticket rate of $8. Ticketmaster fees may apply.
Click image to enlarge

Both the Hitmen and Pats are coming off overtime losses on Wednesday night. Calgary fell 6-5 in Lethbridge wile Regina dropped a 3-2 home ice decision to Kelowna.

There's also not much to pick between the two in the overall WHL Standings as the Hitmen and Pats are tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with 37 points.

Tonight is their fourth and final regular season meeting. The Hitmen are 2-0-0-1 in the season series, led by Victor Rask (2g 2a) and Books Macek (1g 3a) who both have four points. Jodan Weal (2g 2a) has four points to top the Pats.
-Oct. 12 in Calgary: Pats 4 Hitmen 3 in a shootout.
-Oct. 20 in Regina: Hitmen 3 Pats 1.
-Nov. 5 in Regina: Hitmen 3 Pats 2
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on goal: Cal 87 Reg 76 Powerplays: Cal 4/17 Reg 2/15

STREAKIN': Five Hitmen take points streaks into tonight: Victor Rask (4a) and Collin Bowman (1g 2a) both have points in three straight (1g 2a) while Trevor Cheek (2g 2a), Brady Brassart (3g 1a) and Alex Gogolev (1g 1a) all have points in back-to-back games. For Regina Jodan Weal (3g 2a) and Dominik Volek (2a) both have points in two straight. Weal has been a model of consistency for the Pats with at least a point in 28 of their 34 games this season. He is currently eighth in the WHL scoring race.

DID YOU KNOW? The Hitmen are 13-3-1-1 against teams from the East Division....Calgary has fired a season high 47 shots twice but have lost both games...Tonight's game is the ninth game in 15 nights for the Pats.

CHL TOP PROSPECTS: Invites went out yesterday for the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. Two members of the Pats will play in the game February 1st in Kelowna...Dominik Volek and Chandler Stephenson.

Top Scorers:

Calgary:
Cody Sylvester 13g 23a 36pts
Victor Rask 15g 13a 28pts
Jimmy Bubnick 13g 14a 27pts

Regina:
Jordan Weal 17g 32a 49pts
Chandler Stephenson 14g 12a 26pts
Brandon Davidson 8g 18a 26pts

Lethbridge 6 Calgary 5 OT

2011-12-14T22:29:00.002-07:00

Lethbridge, AB – Graham Hood scored his second goal of the game just 21 seconds into overtime lifting the Lethbridge Hurricanes to a 6-5 win over the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday night at Enmax Centre.

The Hitmen had erased a 4-2 third period deficit to pull ahead 5-4 in the final five minutes before Cam Braes forced sudden death for Lethbridge scoring with 25 seconds left to complete his hat trick.

Brady Brassart scored a pair of goals for Calgary while Jimmy Bubnick, Kenton Helgesen and Cody Sylvester added singles. Victor Rask and Trevor Cheek both chipped in three assists.

Hurricanes goaltender Damien Ketlo made 42 saves as the Hitmen tied a season high with 47 shots on goal.

Calgary, 17-13-2-1 on the season, returns to Scotiabank Saddledome Friday to host the Regina Pats in their final home game before the Christmas Break. The game was originally scheduled for 7:00 pm but is now an 8:00 pm start.

The Hitmen and Pats are currently tied for seventh spot in the Eastern Conference with 37 points.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

Photo Credit: CanesCast Click picture to enlarge

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Lethbridge Hurricanes 6 (OT) - Status: Final OT
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - Enmax Centre - Lethbridge, AB

Calgary 2 0 3 0 - 5
Lethbridge 3 1 1 1 - 6

1st Period
1, Lethbridge, Braes 17 (Johnston, Merkley), 3:07 (PP).
2, Lethbridge, Braes 18 (Erkamps, Oslanski), 4:33 (PP).
3, Calgary, Brassart 10 (Rask, Rissling), 8:55.
4, Lethbridge, Yakubowski 7 (Maxwell), 13:13.
5, Calgary, Bubnick 13 (Sylvester, Cheek), 19:35 (PP).
Penalties-Roach Cal (cross checking), 1:58; Cheek Cal (delay of game), 2:48; Trzonkowski Cal (roughing), 7:43; Galbraith Let (roughing), 7:43; Braes Let (slashing), 18:29.

2nd Period
6, Lethbridge, Hood 5 (Sutter), 1:26.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (slashing), 4:41; Roach Cal (high sticking), 9:33; Buonassisi Let (checking to the head), 19:52.

3rd Period
7, Calgary, Brassart 11 (Rask, Bowman), 0:16 (PP).
8, Calgary, Helgesen 2 (Cheek, Sylvester), 7:13.
9, Calgary, Sylvester 13 (Gogolev, Roach), 15:13.
10, Lethbridge, Braes 19 (Buonassisi, Bezuch), 19:35.
Penalties-No Penalties

OT Period
11, Lethbridge, Hood 6 (Johnston, Sutter), 0:21.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Calgary 19-16-12-0-47. Lethbridge 13-8-6-1-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 2 / 2; Lethbridge 2 / 4.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 9-7-2-1 (28 shots-22 saves). Lethbridge, Ketlo 8-9-0-0 (47 shots-42 saves).
A-2,852
Referees-Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Matt Schoenroth (21).

Calgary at Lethbridge

2011-12-14T11:22:00.002-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (17-13-1-1) visit the Lethbridge Hurricanes (11-22-0-1) tonight in a Central Division match up. Radio Broadcast on Sportnet960 The Fan starts at 7:00 p.m. The Hitmen have won two straight and are coming off Sunday's 4-3 home ice win over the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Hurricanes enter tonight playing their best hockey of the season having won eight of their last 12 including their last outing, a 4-2 win in Vancouver on Saturday.

Tonight is the third of six regular season meetings between the two teams. The season series is tied 1-1 with the home team a perfect 2-0 so far. Alex Gogolev leads Calgary with (3g 3a) six points against Lethbridge while Jay Merkley (2g 1a), Brody Sutter (2g 1a) and Cam Braes (1g 2a) all have three points against the Hitmen.
-Sept. 30 in Lethbridge: Hurricanes 6 Hitmen 5. Jay Merkley 2g 1a.
-Nov. 13 in Calgary: Hitmen 6 Hurricanes 2. Alex Gogolev 2g 2a.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on goal: Leth 78 Cal 66 Powerplays: Cal 4/9 Leth 2/8

Calgary enters the contest tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with Regina at 36 points. Lethbridge is 12th with 23 points. The Hitmen are 9-7-1-0 in enemy buildings while the Hurricanes are 7-11-0-0 on home ice.

STREAKIN': Three Hitmen have points in back-to-back games: Collin Bowman (1g 1a), Victor Rask (2a) and Greg Chase (2a). Peter Kosterman is +4 in his last five games. For Lethbridge Cam Braes is red hot taking a nine game point streak into tonight (9g 5a). Russell Maxwell (2g 1a) and Jaimen Yakubowski (3g) both have points in back-to-back games.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 12g 21a 33pts
Victor Rask 15g 11a 26pts
Jimmy Bubnick 12g 14a 26pts

Lethbridge
Cam Braes 16g 16a 32pts
Brody Sutter 14g 10a 24pts
Nick Buonassisi 10g 12a 22pts

HITMEN ALUMNUS: Brandon Kozun is in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs. The 21-year-old right winger has 12 points (7g 5a) in 26 games. The Los Angeles Kings prospect also has 45 shots on goal.

GAME TIME CHANGE: A reminder Friday's Hitmen home game against the Regina Pats has been pushed back one hour. It's now an 8:00 p.m. start at Scotiabank Saddledome.

GAME WORN JERSEY AUCTION: Game Worn Jerseys from the 17th Annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss are being sold in an online auction. The auction closes at 9:00 p.m. tonight with proceeds to support the CBC Calgary Suncor Energy Food Bank Drive. Click here to visit the auction.

Calgary Hitmen Player Bios

2011-12-13T14:23:00.001-07:00

With a few days in between games I decided to complete player bios for all 22 members of the 2011/12 Calgary Hitmen. They are listed in numerical order below.

#3- Kenton Helgesen, D/F (6’3” 185lbs) (HELL-ga-sen)
- Selected 6th round (132nd overall) in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
- In his first season in the WHL after playing last year with the Grande Prairie Storm in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
- Has played both defence and left wing for the Hitmen this season

#4- Peter Kosterman, D (6’4” 204 lbs)
- Selected 1st round (19th overall) in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Attended Calgary Flames rookie camp in the fall of 2011 as a free agent invite
- Won 2009 AMHL Championship and Silver Medal at the 2009 TELUS Cup with the Calgary Buffaloes.
- Named the 2009 Calgary Buffaloes Midget AAA Most Improved Player
- Was the Hitmen’s Top Scholastic player in both 2009/10 and 2010/11.
- In his third season with the Hitmen, winning a WHL Championship in his rookie campaign in 2009/10.

#5- Spencer Humphries, D (6’2” 212lbs)
- Is one of three Hitmen Assistant Captains this season
- Was acquired in a 2011 trade deadline deal by the Hitmen on January 10th along with forward Brooks Macek and a conditional 2012 3rd round bantam draft pick from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for defencemen Matt MacKenzie.
- Named the Hitmen’s Top Defenceman in 2010/11 season.
- Attended San Jose Sharks camp in September of 2010 playing in the Young Stars tournament in Penticton.
- In his second full season in the WHL

#7- Alex Roach, D (6’4” 220lbs)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the 11th round (224th overall) of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft
- Had the hardest shot at the 2010 BC Hockey Major Midget League All Star Skills Competition at 96 mph.
- Signed a three year entry level contract with Los Angeles after attending Kings camp this fall as a free agent invite
- Favourite NHL player is Shea Weber

#9- Jaynen Rissling, D (6’4” 222lbs)   (RIZZ-ling)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the 6th round (129th overall) of the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft
- His father, Kelly, played in the WHL with the Lethbridge Broncos (’78-’80) and Portland Winterhawks (’80-’81)
- In his third season in the WHL
- Was a member of the 2010 WHL Champion Hitmen

#10- Alex Gogolev, LW (5’11” 157lbs)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the second round, 60th overall in the 2011 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
- Played for Team Russia at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Port Alberni, BC where he finished fourth in team scoring (3g 3a 6pts).
- Was a member of the MHL All-Star Team this past season where he played for MHC Spartak.

#11- Brooks Macek, RW (5’11” 182 lbs) (MAY-sick)
- Is one of three Hitmen Assistant Captains this season.
- Was acquired in a 2011 trade deadline deal by the Hitmen on January 10th along with defencemen Spencer Humphries and a conditional 2012 3rd round draft pick from the Tri-City Americans in exchange for defensemen Matt MacKenzie.
- Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 6th round (171st overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
- Had a career high 73 points including 21 goals in 72 games in the 2009/10 season with the Tri-City Americans.

#12- Joey Kornelsen, C (6’1” 190lbs)    (Core-NELL-sen)
- Was a second round (32nd overall) pick of the Moose Jaw Warriors in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Acquired by the Hitmen in an October 26, 2011 trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors along with Collin Bowman and an a fourth round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft in exchange for Justin Kirsch and Kenton Miller.
- Is in his third full season in the WHL after posting a career high 11 goals and 25 points last season in Moose Jaw

#14- Jimmy Bubnick, C (6’2” 189lbs)
- Is one of three Hitmen Assistant Captains this season
- Acquired in a 2010 trade deadline deal with the Kamloops Blazers
- Drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 6th round (155th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft but is now a free agent.
- Named to the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup All-Star team. He led the Hitmen and finished tied for second in tournament scoring with 8 points (3g,5a) in four games
- Won a Gold Medal with Canada’s U-18 Team and played in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game.
- Represented the WHL in the 2010 Subway Super Series against Team Russia
- Had two older brothers play in the WHL, including his brother Michael who also played for the Hitmen.

#15 Chase Clayton, C (5’10” 169lbs)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the 1st round (22nd overall) in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft
- Is in his third season with the Hitmen
- Played for Team Pacific at the 2011 World Hockey Under-17 Hockey Challenge with teammate Rob Trzonkowski winning a bronze medal
- Favourite NHL player is Alex Ovechkin

#16- Cody Sylvester, C (5’11” 180lbs)
- Team Captain this season.
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the 8th round (168th overall) in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft
- Older brother, Dustin played 5 seasons with the Kootenay Ice and is now a member of the Flames AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat.
- Was a former stick boy for the Kelowna Rockets
- Was the Hitmen Player of the Year in the 2010/11 season.

#17- Rob Trzonkowski, RW (6’1.5” 195lbs)   (CHIN-koss-key)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the 8th round (155th overall) in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Played for Team Pacific at the 2011 World Hockey Under-17 Hockey Challenge with teammate Chase Clayton winning a bronze medal
- Had 3 goals, including two game winners in 5 games for Team Pacific at the 2011 World Hockey Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
- Can speak Polish
- In his second season in the WHL

#19- Calder Brooks, LW (5’10” 172lbs)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the 8th round (176th overall) in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.
- In his rookie season with the Hitmen after posting 50 points (20g 30a) last season in the Saskatchewan AAA Midget League with the Regina Pat Canadians
- From Emerald Park, Saskatchewan where he grew up cheering for the Regina Pats

#22- Danny Gayle, LW (5’10” 175lbs)
- Acquired from the Moose Jaw Warriors along with LW Nathan MacMaster and G Brandon Glover in exchange for LW Cody Beach and C Mackenzie Royer on November 16, 2010.
- Is having a career year in the WHL. Just 28 games into the season he matched his point total from all of last season (21).
- Formerly a member of the Calgary AAA Midget Flames
- His father is from Jamaica

#23- Victor Rask, RW (6’1” 192lbs)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the first round, 3rd overall in the 2011 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.
- Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. On October 20th he signed a three year entry level contract with the Hurricanes.
- Had five points (2g 3a) in six games helping Sweden win a Silver medal this past April at the 2011 World Under-18 Championship
- Will play for Team Sweden at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship.

#25- Greg Chase, C (6’0” 182)
- Drafted by the Hitmen in the 1st round (22nd overall) in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft
- Named to Team Pacific for the 2012 World Hockey Under-17 Hockey Challenge
- His uncle Kelly was a WHL grad of the Saskatoon Blades and went on to play 458 games in the NHL with St. Louis, Hartford and Toronto.
- In his first season in the WHL after collecting 39 points (24g 15a) in 30 games last season in the Alberta Midget Hockey League with the Sherwood Park J. Ennis Kings.
- Won a Bronze medal with Team Alberta at the 2011 Canada Games.

#26- Brock Sutherland, D (6’2” 205lbs)
- Acquired from the Tri-City Americans on October 6/2011 in exchange for Nathan MacMaster.
- Is in his in his fourth full WHL season, starting his career with the Lethbridge Hurricanes before a trade to Tri-City.
- Drafted by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the fifth round (104th overall) in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft
- Has played over 200 regular season games in the WHL.

#27- Brady Brassart, C (6’1” 180lbs)
- Acquired from the Spokane Chiefs on August 18/2011 in exchange for a conditional fourth round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Was the Chiefs Rookie of the Year in the 2009/10 season.
- Was Spokane’s Scholastic Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2009/10 and 2010/11)
- Played for Team Pacific at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge where he recorded three points (1g 2a) in five games

#28- Collin Bowman, D (6’2” 200)
- Acquired by the Hitmen in an October 26, 2011 trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors along with Joey Kornelsen and an a fourth round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft in exchange for Justin Kirsch and Kenton Miller.
- Is one of two American-born players currently playing for the Hitmen joining Trevor Cheek. Bowman is from the Littleton, Colorado.
- Older brother Drayson also played in the WHL winning a Memorial Cup in 2008 with the Spokane Chiefs.
- Recorded his first career WHL hat-trick on November 19/2011 against the Prince Albert Raiders.

#29- Trevor Cheek, LW (6’2” 205)
- Protected List Addition by the Hitmen in January 2010.
- Is one of two American-born players currently playing for the Hitmen joining Collin Bowman. Cheek is from Vancouver, Washington.
- Spent the last two years with the P.F. Chang’s Hockey School in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Was the Hitmen’s 2010/11 Rookie of the Year.
- Attended San Jose Sharks rookie camp this past fall as a free agent invite.
- Had his first career two goal game in the WHL on December 11/2011 scoring a pair of goals against Brandon.

#31- Brandon Glover, G (6’3.5” 170lbs)
- Acquired from the Moose Jaw Warriors along with LW Nathan MacMaster and LW Danny Gayle in exchange for LW Cody Beach and C Mackenzie Royer on November 16, 2010.
- Drafted by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the 6th round (116th overall) in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft.
- In his third full season in the WHL
- Attended the Los Angeles Kings 2010 Development Camp
- Was the VAUGHN WHL Goaltender of the Month for November 2011. Glover posted a 6-1 record during the month with a 1.96 GAA and 0.933 save percentage. The 19-year-old Victoria, BC, native allowed just 13 goals on 193 shots and earned a Three Star selection in three of his seven games played.

#33- Chris Driedger, G (6’2.5” 186lbs)    (DREE-gurr)
- Acquired from the Tri-City Americans on July 20/2011 in exchange for a third round pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft.
- Attended the 2011 Hockey Canada Program of Excellence goaltending camp where he was one of just 16 invites, including four from the WHL
- Backstopped Manitoba to a silver medal at the 2009 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup.
- Was one of 36 top rated prospects for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft who attended the 2011 NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp in Toronto this past August.
- Currently the number two ranked WHL goaltender by Central Scouting for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Calgary 4 Brandon 3

2011-12-11T17:33:00.001-07:00

Brady Brassart broke a 3-3 third period tie scoring the game winner on a powerplay with 1:50 remaining lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 4-3 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Brassart's goal gave the Hitmen their first lead of the day as they battled back from three one goal deficit's trailing 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2.

Trevor Cheek scored twice for Calgary, including once shorthanded. Alex Gogolev also scored for the Hitmen who outshot Brandon 41-25.

Calgary has now won two straight to improve to 17-13-1-1.

The club also announced today they've trimmed their roster to 22 by re-assigning defenceman Keaton Lubin to a yet to be determined team.

Click here to see game day photos from photographer Linda Coward

Click on photo to enlarge

Brandon Wheat Kings 3 at Calgary Hitmen 4Sunday, December 11, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

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

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Clayton Cal (checking from behind), 0:49; Glover Cal (delay of game), 7:15.

2nd Period
1, Brandon, Bertaggia 15 (Ciarelli, Fransoo), 0:26.
2, Calgary, Gogolev 12 (Rask), 5:44.
3, Brandon, Favreau 3 (Bertaggia), 11:12 (SH).
4, Calgary, Cheek 10 (Chase, Brassart), 17:11.
Penalties-Nikkel Bdn (major-fighting), 2:35; Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 2:35; Kuczek Bdn (interference), 10:07; Favreau Bdn (delay of game), 19:30; Dziurzynski Bdn (roughing), 20:00; Cheek Cal (roughing, roughing), 20:00.

3rd Period
5, Brandon, Bertaggia 16 4:36.
6, Calgary, Cheek 11 9:20 (SH).
7, Calgary, Brassart 9 (Bowman, Brooks), 18:10 (PP).
Penalties-Rask Cal (holding), 0:57; Swyripa Bdn (major-fighting), 8:32; Chase Cal (high sticking, major-fighting), 8:32; Miller Bdn (interference), 11:39; Conroy Bdn (hooking), 16:33.

Shots on Goal-Brandon 6-12-7-25. Calgary 6-17-18-41.
Power Play Opportunities-Brandon 0 / 5; Calgary 1 / 4.
Goalies-Brandon, Anderson 8-10-1-1 (41 shots-37 saves). Calgary, Glover 8-5-0-0 (25 shots-22 saves).
A-7,313
Referees-Matt Kirk (4), Colin Stefanyk (14).
Linesmen-Steve Cochrane (125), Scott Sharun (103).

Brandon at Calgary

2011-12-11T10:49:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (16-13-1-1) welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings (19-12-1-1) in a Sunday matinee at Scotiabank Saddledome. Game time is 2:00 p.m. Kids 12 and under get in for just $5 today! The Hitmen are coming off Friday's 5-4 shootout win over the Prince Albert Raiders while the Wheat Kings were 5-3 winners in Brandon on Friday.

Today is the third of four regular season meetings between the Hitmen and Wheat Kings. The season series is tied 1-1 with the first two games in Brandon. Alex Roach (1g 2a) and Cody Sylvester (1g 2a) both have three points each to lead the Hitmen against Brandon while Brendan Walker (2gf 3a) leads the Wheat Kings against Calgary with five points.
-Nov 4 in Brandon: Wheat Kings 5 Hitmen 2. The line of Brendan Walker, Mark Stone and Michael Ferland combined for 11 points (4g 7a)
-Nov 22 in Brandon: Hitmen 6 Wheat Kings 3. Alex Gogolev scored twice for Calgary while Cody Sylvester had three points (1g2a)

Calgary, 7-6-0-1 on home ice, is tied with Regina for seventh in the Eastern Conference with 34 points. Brandon, 10-7-0-0 on the road, is tied with Medicine Hat for fifth in the Eastern Conference with 40 points.

WORLD JUNIOR IMPACT: The Wheat Kings will be without their top two scorers Mark Stone and Michael Ferland who are both attending Canada's World Junior Selection Camp.

DID YOU KNOW? Brandon has the number one powerplay in the WHL operating at 30.2 percent. Hitmen top scorer Cody Sylvester has four assists in his last two games. Collin Bowman led the Hitmen with five shots on goal in Friday's win over PA. Calgary is 12-3-1-1 against teams from the East Division.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 12g 21a 33pts
Jimmy Bubnick 12g 14a 26pts
Victor Rask 15g 10a 25pts

Brandon
Mark Stone 27g 38a 65pts
Michael Ferland 17g 27a 44pts
Brendan Walker 13g 20a 33pts
Ryan Pulock 9g 24a 33pts

Hitmen Hockey Hour

2011-12-10T10:41:00.001-07:00

Coming up on the Hitmen Hockey Hour this afternoon (1-2pm) MST on Sportsnet 960 The Fan

-Post Game Interviews from last night's Hitmen shootout win over Prince Albert with both defenceman Brock Sutherland and Head Coach Mike Williamson
-A feature interview with Hitmen forward Brady Brassart
-As Hockey Canada opens it's World Junior Selection Camp in Calgary today Team Canada hopeful Mark McNeill joins the program.

Calgary 5 Prince Albert 4 - Shootout

2011-12-09T22:54:00.001-07:00

Cody Sylvester scored the lone goal of the shootout lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 5-4 win over the Prince Albert Raiders Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Hitmen erased a 3-0 second period deficit as Chase Clayton, Collin Bowman, Brooks Macek and Jimmy Bubnick scored four unanswered goals to give the Hitmen a 4-3 third period lead. Mark McNeill forced overtime for the Raiders scoring on a shorthanded penalty shot with just over 12 minutes remaining.

Calgary won all four meetings with PA this season, outscoring them by a combined 25-9.

The Hitmen are now 16-13-1-1. They remain tied with Regina for seventh in the Eastern Conference with 34 points.

Photo Credit: Brad Watson

The Hitmen return to action Sunday for a 2:00 p.m. matinee against the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings.

Prince Albert Raiders 4 at Calgary Hitmen 5 (SO)
Friday, December 9, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Prince Albert 2 1 1 0 - 4
Calgary 0 3 1 0 - 5

1st Period
1, Prince Albert, Maylan 15 (Tochkin, Lange), 3:37 (PP).
2, Prince Albert, Herrod 12 (Morrissey, Ruopp), 4:19.
Penalties-Trzonkowski Cal (interference), 2:33; Humphries Cal (cross checking), 5:40; Mahura P.a (hooking), 12:08; McNeill P.a (tripping), 12:41; served by Perreaux P.a (too many men), 17:39; Brooks Cal (hooking), 19:17.

2nd Period
3, Prince Albert, Winther 13 (Maylan), 5:45.
4, Calgary, Clayton 2 (Bubnick, Sylvester), 10:34.
5, Calgary, Bowman 8 (Sylvester), 12:18 (PP).
6, Calgary, Macek 7 (Humphries, Rask), 15:02 (PP).
Penalties-Bourhis P.a (boarding), 3:21; Yaworski P.a (roughing), 5:56; Trzonkowski Cal (roughing), 5:56; Ruopp P.a (tripping), 12:07; Fiddler P.a (hooking), 13:43; Ruopp P.a (roughing), 20:00; Rissling Cal (roughing), 20:00.

3rd Period
7, Calgary, Bubnick 12 (Clayton, Sylvester), 3:26.
8, Prince Albert, McNeill 14 7:43 (SH_PS).
Penalties-Hart P.a (tripping), 6:21; Hlinka P.a (tripping), 15:51.

OT Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout
Prince Albert 0 (McNeill NG, Fiddler NG, Herrod NG),
Calgary 1 (Macek NG, Rask NG, Sylvester G).
Shots on Goal-Prince Albert 8-12-5-1-0-26. Calgary 11-7-9-3-1-31.
Power Play Opportunities-Prince Albert 1 / 3; Calgary 2 / 8.
Goalies-Prince Albert, Williams 8-14-1-2 (30 shots-26 saves). Calgary, Glover 7-5-0-0 (4 shots-2 saves); Driedger 9-7-1-1 (22 shots-20 saves).
A-8,978
Referees-Andy Thiessen (11), Kevin Webinger (6).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Ian Shaver (74).

Prince Albert at Calgary

2011-12-09T10:53:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (15-13-1-1) open a two game home stand tonight as they welcome the Prince Albert Raiders (9-21-1-1) to Scotiabank Saddledome. Game time is 7:00 p.m. The Hitmen are coming off Tuesday's 6-2 loss in Edmonton while the Raiders were 6-3 winners at home over Regina on Tuesday.

It's the fourth and final regular season meeting between the two teams. Calgary leads the season series 3-0. Jimmy Bubnick (4g 2a), Collin Bowman (3g 3a), Brady Brassart (3g 3a) and Spencer Humphries (2g 4a) all have six points each against the Raiders while Kellan Tochkin (2g 1a) tops Prince Albert with three points against the Hitmen.
-Nov 1 in PA: Calgary 5 PA 2
-Nov 19 in Cal: Calgary 7 PA 1
-Nov 26 in PA: Calgary 8 PA 2

Calgary enters tonight tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with Regina. Both teams have 32 points. The Hitmen have lost three of their last four, but two of those setbacks were at the hands of the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings. Prince Albert meanwhile is riding a season high three game winning streak but remain last in the 12 team Eastern Conference with 20 points.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 12g 18a 30pts
Victor Rask 15g 9a 24pts
Jimmy Bubnick 11g 13a 24pts

Prince Albert
Justin Maylan 14g 21a 35pts
*Mark McNeill 13g 19a 32pts
Brandon Herrod 11g 13a 24pts
Kellan Tochkin 7g 17a 24pts

*McNeill is one of the 43 invites to Hockey Canada's World Junior Selection Camp that starts tomorrow and runs till Wednesday in Calgary

DID YOU KNOW? Prince Albert has given up 131 goals, that's the third most of any team in the WHL for an average of 4.09 per game. The Hitmen have scored just seven goals in their last four games after turning on the red light 25 times in their previous four contests.

TONIGHT'S PROMOTIONS: It's Subway Soccer Day. Fans can participate in the Subway Soccer Ball Toss by purchasing one ball for $5 or five balls for $20 for a chance to win two $1,000 Berry Flooring packages; a $1,000 flight credit; or two $500 Husky gas packages. Proceeds from the toss are directed to Fields for Life, providing kids with the opportunity to play soccer in Calgary and improving local playing field. It's also Student Night. Show your student I.D. to receive a special ticket rate of $8.

Alumni Update: Kris Foucault

2011-12-08T08:42:00.001-07:00

It appears 21-year-old Kris Foucault is making a smooth transition from the Calgary Hitmen to the American Hockey League.

After spending the last two plus seasons with the Hitmen, which included two trips to the WHL Final, the soon to be 21-year-old forward is now in his rookie season with the Houston Aeros.

Just 22 games into his first season of pro hockey Foucault is currently tied for sixth in team scoring with 12 points (6g 6a). Of late the stats are even more impressive with four points (2g 2a) in his last three games.

The native Calgarian also has three powerplay goals this season to go along with 22 shots on goal.

Photo Credit: ebrandon.ca

Edmonton 6 Calgary 2

2011-12-06T21:46:00.001-07:00

Edmonton, AB – The Edmonton Oil Kings scored three powerplay goals en-route to a 6-2 win over the Calgary Hitmen Tuesday night at Rexall Place.

Griffin Reinhart had a goal and two assists for the Oil Kings who extend their home ice winning streak to 11 games and move into a tie with the Kootenay Ice for top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Trevor Cheek with his ninth goal of the season and Spencer Humphries with his fifth provided the Calgary goals.

Calgary Flames prospect Laurent Brossoit made 26 saves in the Edmonton net as the Hitmen out shot the Oil Kings 28-23

The loss drops the Hitmen record to 15-13-1-1. They remain tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with Regina.

Calgary returns to action Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome to host the Prince Albert Raiders in Subway Soccer Day.

Fans can participate in the Subway Soccer Ball Toss by purchasing one ball for $5 or five balls for $20 for a chance to win two $1,000 Berry Flooring packages; a $1,000 flight credit; or two $500 Husky gas packages. Proceeds from the toss are directed to Fields for Life, providing kids with the opportunity to play soccer in Calgary and improving local playing field. Friday is also Student Night. Show your student I.D. to receive a special ticket rate of $8.

The Hitmen will wrap up the weekend Sunday by the Brandon Wheat Kings. Game time is 2:00 p.m.
For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

Calgary Hitmen 2 at Edmonton Oil Kings 6
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Calgary 0 1 1 - 2
Edmonton 2 2 2 - 6

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Legault 9 (Moroz, Sieben), 3:45.
2, Edmonton, Reinhart 5 (Maxwell, Wruck), 7:00 (PP).
Penalties-Humphries Cal (major-fighting), 0:17; Peddle Edm (major-fighting), 0:17; Brassart Cal (slashing), 5:45; Cheek Cal (roughing), 10:36; Foster Edm (interference), 13:03; Gogolev Cal (tripping), 17:11; Cheek Cal (roughing), 20:00; Pysyk Edm (roughing), 20:00.

2nd Period
3, Edmonton, Rachinski 9 (Maxwell, Reinhart), 3:40 (PP).
4, Edmonton, Pelss 13 (Corbett, Reinhart), 7:20 (PP).
5, Calgary, Cheek 9 (Macek, Sylvester), 9:46 (PP).
Penalties-Reinhart Edm (cross checking), 0:28; Helgesen Cal (too many men), 2:23; Trzonkowski Cal (tripping), 6:27; Chase Cal (roughing), 7:44; Geertsen Edm (cross checking), 7:44; Pysyk Edm (inter. on goaltender), 9:14; Kosterman Cal (tripping), 15:43; Bowman Cal (roughing, roughing), 18:40; Lowe Edm (roughing), 18:40.

3rd Period
6, Edmonton, Wruck 9 (Pelss, Foster), 9:28.
7, Edmonton, Peddle 4 (Wilson, Legault), 9:50.
8, Calgary, Humphries 5 (Chase, Trzonkowski), 13:40.
Penalties-Wilson Edm (interference), 2:03; Brassart Cal (slashing), 7:11; Reinhart Edm (interference), 10:22; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 17:19; Moroz Edm (major-fighting), 17:19; Bubnick Cal (roughing), 20:00; Helgesen Cal (roughing, roughing), 20:00; Pelss Edm (roughing, roughing), 20:00; Wilson Edm (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 6-11-11-28. Edmonton 7-7-9-23.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 5; Edmonton 3 / 8.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 8-7-1-1 (13 shots-9 saves); Glover 7-5-0-0 (10 shots-8 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 17-7-1-1 (28 shots-26 saves).
A-4,855
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Chris Carlson (92), Darren Spurgeon (131).

Teddy Bear Distribution and Game Worn Jersey Auction

2011-12-06T18:12:00.001-07:00

With 25,303 stuffed toys tossed on the ice during Sunday's Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss I thought fans would want to see where they went when they left the 'Dome.

Photographer Linda Coward was on scene Monday for the distribution to the 50 local charities, including a visit to the Alberta Children's Hospital.

To see a photo tribute click here.

The Hitmen are also selling their game worn teddy bear toss jerseys in an online auction. The auction closes December 14th at 9:00 pm. Auction proceeds will go to “CBC Calgary Suncor Energy Food Bank Drive”. Each winning bid includes two (2) tickets to Friday, December 16th/2011 Hitmen home game against the Regina Pats. Game time is 8:00 p.m.

Click here to go to the auction page.

Calgary at Edmonton

2011-12-06T09:45:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (15-12-1-1) are on the road for a meeting with the Edmonton Oil Kings (18-8-1-2) at Rexall Place tonight. Internet Broadcast on sportsnet960.ca starts at 7:00 p.m. The two teams squared off in Edmonton just five days ago with the Oil Kings posting a convincing 6-1 win. Calgary is coming off Sunday's 2-1 home ice loss to Medicine Hat. A game where they out shot the Tigers 38-17. Edmonton meanwhile was an 8-3 home ice winner on Sunday over the Saskatoon Blades. Michael St. Croix had four points (2g 2a) in the win.

The Hitmen will be looking to break a couple of Oil Kings streaks tonight as Edmonton heads into the contest on a six game winning streak outscoring their opponents by a combined 36-10. They have also won 10 straight at home. The Oil Kings rampage through the opposition of late has moved them up into a tie with Moose Jaw and Saskatoon for second in the Eastern Conference, just two points back of front running Kootenay. Calgary meanwhile enters tonight tied for seventh in the conference with Regina, six points back of Medicine Hat and Brandon for fifth.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 12g 17a 29pts
Victor Rask 15g 9a 24pts
Jimmy Bubnick 11g 13a 24pts

Edmonton
Michael St. Croix 16g 25a 41pts
Dylan Wruck 8g 25a 33pts
T.J. Foster 11g 17a 28pts

DID YOU KNOW? Since requesting a trade out of Everett, 20-year-old Tyler Maxwell has nine points in five games as an Oil King, including five goals. Maxwell and Dylan Wruck both bring eight game point streaks into tonight. The Hitmen are 6-1-1-0 in their last eight games away from Scotiabank Saddledome.

HITMEN PROSPECT: 16-year-old Elliot Peterson, an 11th round pick (242nd overall) of the Hitmen in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft is leading the Saskatchewan AAA Midget Hockey League in scoring. The Beardy's Blackhawks forward has 44 points (19g 25a) in 21 games.

Rask to play in 2012 World Juniors

2011-12-06T08:34:00.001-07:00

Calgary Hitmen forward Victor Rask will play for Sweden at the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship co-hosted by Edmonton and Calgary December 26, 2011 to January 5, 2012. He is one of four players named to the team currently playing in the Canadian Hockey League, but the only Swedish selection from the Western Hockey League. Rask is off to a strong rookie season start with the Hitmen. The 18-year-old has a team teaming 15 goals and is tied with Jimmy Bubnick for second in points at 24. Rask and Team Sweden are in Group A with Russia, Switzerland, Slovakia and Latvia and will play all their preliminary round games at Scotiabank Saddledome starting on the 26th against Latvia.

This is the 13th straight year the Hitmen will be represented at this prestigious tournament. Rask will also become the 17th player in franchise history to play in the World Juniors. Here are his predecessors.

2000 Matt Kinch (Canada 4GP 0G 0A 0PTS) Chris Nielsen (Canada 7GP 3G 0A 3PTS)

2001 Pavel Brendl (Czech Republic 7GP 4G 6A 10PTS) Toni Bader (Germany)

2002 Fredrik Sjostrom (Sweden 7PG 0G 0A 0PTS)

2003 Fredrik Sjostrom (Sweden 4GP 0G 1A 1PTS)
2004 Ryan Getzlaf (Canada 6GP 3G 3A 6PTS) Tomas Troliga (Slovakia 6GP 1G 1A 2PTS)
2005 Ryan Getzlaf (Canada 6GP 3G 9A 12PTS) Andrew Ladd (Canada 6GP 3G 4A 7PTS)
2006 Justin Pogge (Canada 6GP 6-0 1.00GAA .952% 3SO) Freddie Pettersson (Sweden 6GP 3G 2A 5PTS)
2007 Karl Alzner (Canada 6GP 0G 1A 1PTS) Freddie Pettersson (Sweden 6GP 1G 1A 2PTS)
2008 Karl Alzner (Canada 7GP 1G 1A 2PTS) Bostjan Golicic (Slovenia 5GP 2G 1A 3PTS)
2009 Brett Sonne (Canada 6GP 1G 2A 3PTS) Bostjan Golicic (Slovenia 5GP 0G 4A 4PTS)
2010 Martin Jones (Canada 2GP 1-1 2.30GAA .917%) Brandon Kozun (Canada 6GP 3G 4A 7PTS)
2011 Juraj Holly (Slovakia 5GP 1-3 3.83GAA .913% 1SO)

Tigers edge Hitmen in Teddy Bear Toss

2011-12-05T08:23:00.001-07:00

The Medicine Hat Tigers got a 37 save performance from Edmonton Oilers draft pick Tyler Bunz and a pair of goals from Curtis Valk in a 2-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen Sunday evening at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Calder Brooks scored the lone Hitmen goal triggering an avalanche of 25,303 stuffed toys in the 17th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss.

Picture taken by Avery Buye

The distribution and delivery of Sunday’s bears will take place on Monday. The day begins at the Petro-Canada Westhills gas station, the teddy bear distribution site, where more than 50 agencies will pick up their donated bears from 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. The Calgary Hitmen will then visit the Alberta Children’s Hospital to deliver 400 teddy bears to patients.

Since 2000, over 186,000 bears have been donated to local agencies including the Alberta Children’s Hospital, Stephen’s Backpacks, the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary, YWCA, Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Calgary Food Bank and Treaty 7 groups.

Fans are encouraged to join the Calgary Hitmen in supporting the CBC Calgary Suncor Energy Food Bank Drive by visiting http://www.hitmenhockey.com/ to bid on game worn teddy bear jerseys.

The online auction opens Monday, Dec.5 at 9:00 a.m. and closes Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 9:00 p.m. Fans with the winning auction bids will be presented with their signed jersey on Friday, Dec. 16 when the Hitmen host the Regina Pats.

Check out some photos from Sunday here. Thanks to photographer Linda Coward.

Medicine Hat Tigers 2 at Calgary Hitmen 1
Sunday, December 4, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Medicine Hat 1 0 1 - 2
Calgary 0 1 0 - 1

1st Period-1, Medicine Hat, Valk 7 (Etem), 6:06.
Penalties-Bowman Cal (interference), 10:40.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Brooks 2 (Gayle, Trzonkowski), 18:21.
Penalties-Sylvester Cal (tripping), 3:10; Rissling Cal (high sticking), 8:06; Lewington M.h (hooking), 13:03; Etem M.h (hooking), 15:21.

3rd Period
3, Medicine Hat, Valk 8 (Etem), 10:00.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (roughing), 3:06; Shinkaruk M.h (high sticking), 4:45; Humphries Cal (holding), 6:55; Grbavac M.h (slashing), 7:51; Brassart Cal (slashing, 10-minute misconduct), 19:53.

Shots on Goal-Medicine Hat 3-9-5-17. Calgary 8-12-18-38.
Power Play Opportunities-Medicine Hat 0 / 6; Calgary 0 / 4.
Goalies-Medicine Hat, Bunz 16-8-2-2 (38 shots-37 saves). Calgary, Driedger 8-6-1-1 (17 shots-15 saves).
A-16,014
Referees-Brett Montsion (54), Jon Stephenson (38).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Justin Slimm (105).

Medicine Hat at Calgary

2011-12-04T10:53:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (15-11-1-1) host the Medicine Hat Tigers (16-11-2-2) this afternoon in the 17th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss. Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. Fans are asked to bring a stuffed toy (or two or three) to the game and toss it on the ice when the Hitmen score their first goal. Over 50 local charities have requested 25,000 teddy bears to meet demand this holiday season. The Rainbow Society will also be selling bears on the concourse for $10.

Calgary enters the game winners of five of their last six are are coming off Friday's 3-2 overtime win over the Spokane Chiefs. For Medicine Hat, it's their third game in as many days falling 2-1 in overtime to Saskatoon Friday before dropping a 6-3 home ice decision to Spokane last night. Overall the Tigers have lost three straight.

The Hitmen trail Medicine Hat by four points for sixth in the Eastern Conference, but have three games in hand on their Alberta rivals.

DID YOU KNOW? Tigers goalie Tyler Bunz, a fifth round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, is one of four goalies invited to Hockey Canada's World Junior Selection Camp that will take place December 10-14 in Calgary.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 12g 17a 29pts
Victor Rask 15g 9a 24pts
Jimmy Bubnick 11g 13a 24pts

Medicine Hat
Emerson Etem 28g 28a 56pts
Hunter Shinkaruk 26g 17a 43pts
Matthew Konan 5g 18a 23pts

ALUMNI WATCH: Former Hitmen captain Karl Alzner is in the NHL with the Washington Capitals. The 23-year-old defenceman has eight points (1g 7a) in 25 games this season. He is also +9 with 16 shots on goal.

Calgary 3 Spokane 2 OT

2011-12-02T22:30:00.001-07:00

Victor Rask scored at 2:26 of overtime lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 3-2 home ice win over the Spokane Chiefs Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Rask, who finished the game with a pair of goals, also opened the scoring for Calgary in the first period. The Hitmen then extended their lead to 2-0 when Alex Gogolev scored the lone goal of the middle frame.

In the third period, Spokane stormed out of the gates scoring twice in the first 3:35 to draw even on goals from Brenden Kichton and Darren Kramer.

The win improves the Hitmen record to 15-11-1-1 moving them one point ahead of Red Deer and into seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Calgary returns to action Sunday in the 17th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss. Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. Fans are asked to bring a stuffed toy to the game and toss it on the ice when the Hitmen score their first goal. Over 50 local agencies have requested over 25,000 teddy bears this holiday season.

Spokane Chiefs 2 at Calgary Hitmen 3 (OT)
Friday, December 2, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Spokane 0 0 2 0 - 2
Calgary 1 1 0 1 - 3

1st Period
1, Calgary, Rask 14 (Rissling, Trzonkowski), 8:16.
Penalties-Cheek Cal (checking from behind), 9:57; Kramer Spo (cross checking), 13:04; Aviani Spo (tripping), 14:52.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Gogolev 11 (Sutherland, Brassart), 13:28.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (slashing), 2:26; Proft Spo (hooking), 9:31.

3rd Period
3, Spokane, Kichton 5 (Kuhn, Gow), 1:06 (PP). 4,
Spokane, Kramer 11 (Aviani, Holmberg), 3:35.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (tripping), 0:55; Fram Spo (tripping, holding), 7:39.

OT Period
5, Calgary, Rask 15 (Gayle), 2:26.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Spokane 5-4-12-0-21. Calgary 11-9-9-1-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Spokane 1 / 3; Calgary 0 / 5.
Goalies-Spokane, Lee-Knight 2-0-1-1 (30 shots-27 saves). Calgary, Driedger 8-5-1-1 (21 shots-19 saves).
A-8,317
Referees-Pat Smith (12), Jonathan Spurgeon (7).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Aidan Henderson (78).

Spokane at Calgary

2011-12-02T10:18:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (14-11-1-1) play their first home game in 12 days as they welcome the Spokane Chiefs (12-8-1-2) to Scotiabank Saddledome tonight. Game time is 7:00 p.m. in the Canada Safeway Ltd. Movember game. The Hitmen wrapped up five straight on the road last night with a 6-1 loss in Edmonton. Spokane meanwhile is 1-1 on their current six game road trip, falling 4-1 in Edmonton on Tuesday before beating Red Deer 5-2 on Wednesday.

Tonight is their first and only meeting of the season with a couple story lines heading into tonight. This marks the first time Hitmen forward Brady Brassart meets his former team. After playing two seasons with the Chiefs, Brassart was dealt to Calgary in August for a conditional fourth round bantam pick in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. Brassart was Spokane’s Rookie of the Year in 2010 and is a two time winner of the Chiefs Scholastic Player of the Year Award in 2010 and 2011. The Hitmen I'm sure also still remember last seasons lone meeting to this day. It was October 20, 2010 when the Hitmen wrapped up a U-S Division road trip with an 8-1 loss in Spokane. A game where they were out shot 52-20.

Calgary is 5-5-0-1 at home while the Chiefs are 1-5-1-2 on the road.

STREAKIN: Trevor Cheek (3g 7a) is on a seven game point streak while Greg Chase (1g 3a) has points in three straight.

DID YOU KNOW? Spokane's win in Red Deer Wednesday snapped a three game losing streak....The Chiefs have played the fewest games of anyone in the WHL at 23 while the Hitmen have played the second fewest home games of any team at 11. Calgary went 4-1 on their five game road trip outscoring their opponents by a combined 26-15....Calgary is 2-2 this season in their first game back at the 'Dome following a road trip.

Top Scorers

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 12g 17a 29pts
Jimmy Bubnick 11g 13a 24pts
Victor Rask 13g 9a 22pts

Spokane
Anthony Bardaro 14g 14a 28pts
Brenden Kitchton 4g 20a 24pts
Dominik Uher 10g 8a 18pts

*Kitchton is one of the 41 invites to Hockey Canada's World Junior Selection Camp that will take place December 10-14 in Calgary.

#27 Brassart faces former team tonight: Photo credit MJ Times

Edmonton 6 Calgary 1

2011-12-01T21:43:00.001-07:00

Edmonton, AB – The Edmonton Oil Kings scored twice in each period en-route to a 6-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen Thursday night at Rexall Place.

The win extends the Oil Kings home ice winning streak to nine games while snapping Calgary’s five game road win streak.

Tyler Maxwell scored twice for Edmonton. Jordan Peddle, Kristians Pelss, Rhett Rachinski and T.J. Foster added singles.

Cody Sylvester had the lone goal for Calgary who was outshot 27-21.

Trevor Cheek and Greg Chase drew assists on the Sylvester marker to extend their personal point scoring streaks. Cheek now has points in seven straight games (3g 7a) while Chase (1g 3a) has points in three consecutive outings.

Calgary, 14-11-1-1 on the season, returns to Scotiabank Saddledome for a pair of games hosting Spokane tomorrow in the Canada Safeway Ltd. Movember game. Sunday they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 17th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss. Game time Friday is 7:00 p.m. with a 4:00 p.m. puck drop Sunday.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

Calgary Hitmen 1 at Edmonton Oil Kings 6
Thursday, December 1, 2011 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Calgary 0 0 1 - 1
Edmonton 2 2 2 - 6

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Peddle 3 (Wilson, Pysyk), 1:53.
2, Edmonton, Maxwell 14 (Gernat, Wruck), 16:56.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (roughing), 18:19; Peddle Edm (interference), 18:19; Sylvester Cal (checking to the head), 19:28.

2nd Period
3, Edmonton, Pelss 12 (Corbett, Gernat), 16:04.
4, Edmonton, Maxwell 15 (Corbett, Wruck), 18:20.
Penalties-Lazar Edm (high sticking), 2:34; Gayle Cal (hooking), 15:38; St. Croix Edm (holding opp. stick), 15:38; Bowman Cal (interference), 19:46.

3rd Period
5, Edmonton, Rachinski 7 (Pysyk, St. Croix), 0:46 (PP).
6, Calgary, Sylvester 12 (Chase, Cheek), 9:03.
7, Edmonton, Foster 10 (Pysyk), 10:12.
Penalties-Moroz Edm (interference), 1:27; Gernat Edm (checking from behind), 5:08; Trzonkowski Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 18:14; Moroz Edm (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 18:14; Gernat Edm (clipping), 18:45.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 7-9-5-21. Edmonton 6-13-8-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 4; Edmonton 1 / 2.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 7-5-0-0 (19 shots-15 saves); Driedger 7-5-1-1 (8 shots-6 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 15-7-1-1 (21 shots-20 saves).
A-5,646
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Pat Smith (12).
Linesmen-Scott Fulmer (32), Darren Spurgeon (131).

Glover tops all WHL goalies in November

2011-12-01T18:13:00.001-07:00

CALGARY, AB. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Brandon Glover, of the Calgary Hitmen, has been named the VAUGHN WHL Goaltender of the Month for November.
The 19-year-old goaltender posted a 6-1 record through November. Glover’s 1.96 goals-against average and 0.933 save percentage led all WHL goaltenders in November, allowing just 13 goals on 193 shots-against in 398 minutes played, averaging close to 30 shots a game.
Glover’s consistent play helped the Hitmen post a 9-4-1-0 record through November and now found themselves with 14-10-1-1 overall record for 30 points, just five back of the WHL Central Division 2nd place Edmonton Oil Kings. His efforts also earned him a Three Star selection in three of his seven games played.
Glover, a Victoria, BC native, is in his third full season in the Western Hockey League, second with the Calgary Hitmen. The Moose Jaw Warriors originally drafted Glover in the 6th round of the 2007 WHL Draft.
His accomplishments make Brandon Glover a deserving choice as the VAUGHN WHL Goaltender of the Month for November.

Calgary at Edmonton

2011-12-01T09:14:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (14-10-1-1) visit the Edmonton Oil Kings (16-8-1-2) tonight in their first of six meetings this season. Internet Broadcast on sportsnet960.ca starts at 7pm from Rexall Place. The Hitmen have won four straight and are coming off Saturday's 8-2 victory in Prince Albert. The Oil Kings have also won four in a row having last played on Tuesday posting a 4-1 home ice win over Spokane. Edmonton is tied with Medicine Hat for fifth in the Eastern Conference with 35 points. But a win tonight would push them into a tie with Saskatoon and Moose Jaw for the second seed. Calgary meanwhile started the season with just one win in their first six games. Since then they have been about as good as any team in the WHL, currently eighth in the Eastern Conference with 30 points. A Hitmen win tonight would move them past Red Deer and into seventh.

Both teams enter tonight's contest with high octane scoring attacks of late. Calgary has turned on the red light 25 times in their last four games while Edmonton has scored 22 times in that same span.

STREAKIN: 10 Hitmen enter the the contest on point streaks. Danny Gayle (4g 7a) is on a career high eight game run. Jimmy Bubnick (6g7a) has points in seven straight while Brady Brassart (3g 6a) and Trevor Cheek (3g 6a) are riding six game streaks. Victor Rask (2g 4a) has points in his last four games while Spencer Humphries (2g 2a), Greg Chase (1g 2a), Calder Brooks (3a), Brooks Macek (2g) and Kenton Helgesen (1g 1a) all have points in back-to-back games.

Calgary is 9-5-1-0 on the road this season while Edmonton is 9-2-0-0 at home.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 11g 17a 28pts
Jimmy Bubnick 11g 13a 24pts
Victor Rask 13g 9a 22pts

Edmonton
Michael St. Croix 14g 22a 36pts
Dylan Wruck 8g 21a 29pts
T.J. Foster 9g 15a 24pts

ALUMNI WATCH: Former Hitmen co-captain Michael Stone is in the AHL with the Portland Pirates. The 21-year-old defenceman has seven points (2g 5a) in 19 games.

PROSPECT WATCH: Jake Virtanen, the number one overall pick by the Hitmen in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft, is playing AAA in the BC Major Midget League as a 15-year-old. He is currently tied for sixth in league scoring with 25 points (8g 17a) in 18 games.

Huge demand for Teddy Bears on Sunday

2011-11-29T10:23:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen will host the Medicine Hat Tigers this Sunday (December 4th) in the 17th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss. Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. Fans are asked to bring a stuffed toy to the game and toss it on the ice when the Hitmen score their first goal. The bears will then be distributed to local charities in time for the holiday season. So far there's been a request for 25,000 stuffed toys. The game is NOT sold out and there are lots of great seats available.

I spoke to Hitmen Coordindator of Marketing and Community Programs Derald Fretts about the demand and the day itself.

You can listen here.

L to R Cody Sylvester, Michael Stone and Kyle Aschim from December 2009

One-on-One with Cody Sylvester

2011-11-28T15:39:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen are back from an East Division road trip that saw the club go 4-0 while outscoring their opponents by a combined 25-9. I caught up with the captain, Cody Sylvester to talk about the swing.

Click here to listen

Calgary 8 Prince Albert 2

2011-11-26T21:17:00.001-07:00

Prince Albert, SK – The Calgary Hitmen completed a four game sweep of their East Division road trip with an 8-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders Saturday night at the Art Hauser Centre.

Brady Brassart (2g 1a) and Spencer Humphries (1g 2a) both had three points each to lead the scoring attack.

Brooks Macek, Trevor Cheek, Danny Gayle, Jaynen Rissling and Kenton Helgesen also scored for Calgary.

Gayle’s goal extended his career high point scoring streak to eight games, while Helgesen’s marker was his first goal in the Western Hockey League.

Chris Driedger made 25 saves in the Hitmen net including 14 in the first period when Prince Albert outshot Calgary 15-5 but headed to the dressing room after twenty minutes in a 1-1 tie.

The Hitmen blew the game open in the second period scoring three goals in a span of 3:01 to take a 4-1 lead.

Calgary, 14-10-1-1 on the season, will enjoy a full four day break before travelling to Edmonton on Thursday for their first meeting with the Oil Kings.

The Hitmen then return to Scotiabank Saddledome for a pair of games hosting Spokane on Friday, December 2nd in the Canada Safeway Ltd. Movember game and Medicine Hat on Sunday, December 4th in the Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss. Friday is 7:00 pm start with a 4:00 pm puck drop on Sunday.
For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

Calgary Hitmen 8 at Prince Albert Raiders 2
Saturday, November 26, 2011 - Art Hauser Centre - Prince Albert, SK

Calgary 1 3 4 - 8
Prince Albert 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Humphries 4 (Gogolev, Bubnick), 7:08.
2, Prince Albert, Tochkin 5 (Lange, McNeill), 16:38.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (interference), 11:50; Helgesen Cal (tripping), 15:59; Roach Cal (holding), 18:46.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Brassart 7 (Rask, Kosterman), 6:08.
4, Calgary, Macek 6 8:11.
5, Calgary, Cheek 8 (Humphries, Rissling), 9:09 (PP).
Penalties-Bubnick Cal (roughing), 8:42; Fiddler P.a (slashing), 8:42; Yaworski P.a (roughing), 8:42; Brooks Cal (slashing), 11:17; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 11:17; Hlinka P.a (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:17; Lange P.a (major-fighting), 11:17.

3rd Period
6, Calgary, Gayle 7 (Brassart, Sutherland), 4:51.
7, Calgary, Brassart 8 (Rask, Humphries), 5:40 (PP).
8, Prince Albert, Vanscourt 7 (Knutsen, Morrissey), 13:05 (PP).
9, Calgary, Rissling 2 (Chase) 17:36.
10, Calgary, Helgesen 1 (Bowman, Brooks), 18:39 (PP).
Penalties-Winther P.a (cross checking), 4:54; Roach Cal (major-fighting, game misconduct), 6:45; Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 6:45; Maylan P.a (slashing, major-fighting, game misconduct), 6:45; Yaworski P.a (major-fighting), 6:45; Brassart Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 8:25; Morrissey P.a (cross checking), 8:25; served by Macek Cal (too many men), 9:33; Rissling Cal (slashing), 12:56; Yaworski P.a (holding), 13:27; Roach Cal (10-minute misconduct), 17:59; Bourhis P.a (10-minute misconduct), 17:59; Hart P.a (cross checking), 18:22.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 5-8-20-33. Prince Albert 15-7-5-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 3 / 5; Prince Albert 1 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 7-5-1-1 (27 shots-25 saves). Prince Albert, Williams 5-13-1-1 (23 shots-18 saves); Holowenko 1-7-0-0 (10 shots-7 saves).
A-2,399
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Curtis Howe (27).
Linesmen-Jason Roy (94), Bob Schrader (126).

One-On-One with Trevor Cheek

2011-11-26T21:11:00.001-07:00

Ken Thrower and I had a chance to catch up with Hitmen forward Trevor Cheek today at the hotel in Prince Albert to talk everything from Hitmen hockey to football and twitter.

Click here to listen

Calgary at Prince Albert

2011-11-26T12:05:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (13-10-1-1) finish a four game East Division road trip tonight in Prince Albert against the Raiders (6-19-1-1). The Hitmen have won all three games on the swing so far including a 6-2 win in Saskatoon last night handing the Blades their first home ice loss this season. Jimmy Bubnick scored twice for Calgary while Joey Kornelsen, Brooks Macek, Spencer Humphries and Greg Chase added singles. For Chase it was his first goal in the Western Hockey League. Brandon Glover made 34 saves in the Hitmen net and was especially sharp in the first period when Saskatoon out shot Calgary 19-7 but headed to the dressing room after twenty minutes in a 1-1 tie. The Hitmen blew the game open in the second period building a 4-1 lead thanks to a pair of powerplay goals.

VS. PRINCE ALBERT: Tonight is the third of four meetings with the Raiders. Calgary leads the season series 2-0. Jimmy Bubnick (4g 1a) and Collin Bowman (3g 2a) both have five points each to lead the Hitmen against PA while Justin Maylan (1g 1a) and Kellan Tochkin (1g 1a) top the Raiders with two points each against Calgary.
-Nov. 2 in PA: Hitmen 5 Raiders 2. Jimmy Bubnick scored a hat trick as Calgary overcame a 2-1 third period deficit.
- Nov. 19 in Cal: Hitmen 7 Raiders 1. Calgary killed four straight first period Raider powerplays then got a hat trick from Collin Bowman.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CAL 70 PA 57. Powerplays: CAL 2-7 (28.5%) PA 0-9 (0%). Next Meeting: December 9th in Calgary

MUCH IMPROVED: After starting the season 1-4-0-1 the Hitmen have gone 12-6-1-0, including 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games.

ROAD RUN: Calgary is 3-0 on their current East Division road trip posting wins in Brandon Tuesday (6-3), Moose Jaw Wednesday (5-2) and Saskatoon last night (6-2). Overall the Hitmen have picked up at least a point in their last six games in enemy rinks posting a record of 5-0-1-0.

STREAKS: Danny Gayle (3g 7a) is on a career high seven game point streak. Jimmy Bubnick (6g 6a) and Cody Sylvester (5g 8a) are both on six game streaks while Trevor Cheek (2g 6a) and Brady Brassart (1g 5a) are riding five game point streaks. Brandon Glover has won his last six starts in net while posting a 2.00 GAA and .923 save percentage.

300 CLUB LOOMING: Defenceman Collin Bowman has played 299 career regular season games in the WHL. Bowman played his first game on February 20th, 2007 when he suited up for the Kelowna Rockets against the Chilliwack Bruins.

DID YOU KNOW: The Hitmen are tied with Medicine Hat for the second most shorthanded goals scored in the WHL with seven. Trevor Cheek and Joey Kornelsen both have two each to top Calgary.

HITMEN MO BROS: The Hitmen Movember Team sits first amongst CHL teams and second overall in the league’s Movember initiatives with over $8,632 raised to support the fight against prostate cancer. Fans are encouraged to be part of the inaugural Hitmen Mo Bro challenge. Visit http://www.hitmenhockey.com/ to view the Mo Bro bios, photo gallery and video clip. Don’t miss your chance to decide which candidate will be the first to be inducted into the Hitmen Mo of Fame.

Hitmen Hockey Hour

2011-11-26T09:00:00.001-07:00

The Hitmen Hockey Hour will not be heard at its regular time today from 1-2pm MST, instead it will air on Sportsnet 960 The Fan from 5 to 6pm leading up to puck drop between the Hitmen and Prince Albert Raiders.

Calgary 6 Saskatoon 2

2011-11-25T22:31:00.001-07:00

Saskatoon, SK – Jimmy Bubnick scored twice as the Calgary Hitmen beat the Canadian Hockey League’s number four ranked Sasykatoon Blades 6-2 Friday night at Credit Union Centre.

The win was Calgary’s third straight on their current four game East Division road trip.

Joey Kornelsen, Brooks Macek, Spencer Humphries and Greg Chase also scored for Calgary who improves to 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games.

Calder Brooks and Cody Sylvester both had a pair of assists for Calgary while Danny Gayle had a helper to extend his career high point scoring streak to seven games.

Brandon Glover made 34 saves in the Hitmen net and was especially sharp in the first period when Saskatoon outshot Calgary 19-7 but headed to the dressing room after twenty minutes in a 1-1 tie.

The Hitmen blew the game open in the second period building a 4-1 lead thanks to a pair of powerplay goals.

Calgary, 13-10-1-1 on the season, will wrap up their prairie road trip tomorrow night in Prince Albert.

POST GAME NOTES: Calgary played a physical first period with both Collin Bowman and Alex Roach delivering huge open ice hits....Special teams played a major role as Calgary went 2-5 on the powerplay while killing all five Blades chances. Icing on the cake also saw Hitmen Joey Kornelsen score shorthanded....The goal for Greg Chase was his first in the WHL and also came in the same rink where his Uncle Kelly used to play for the Blades....The loss for Saskatoon was their first at home this season after starting 10-0....The Hitmen have now outscored their opponents by a combined 17-7 through the first three games of the road trip.

Steve Hiscock photo from whl.ca

Watch the highlights here.

Calgary Hitmen 6 at Saskatoon Blades 2
Friday, November 25, 2011 - Credit Union Centre - Saskatoon, SK

Calgary 1 3 2 - 6
Saskatoon 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Kornelsen 4 (Brooks), 5:11 (SH).
2, Saskatoon, Paradis 8 (Sutter, Thrower), 12:27.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (interference), 4:52; Roach Cal (tripping), 14:02; Gayle Cal (inter. on goaltender), 15:49.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Macek 5 (Chase, Brooks), 5:13.
4, Calgary, Humphries 3 (Gayle, Brassart), 8:48 (PP).
5, Calgary, Bubnick 10 (Rask, Sylvester), 17:29 (PP).
Penalties-Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 2:33; Haas Sas (major-fighting), 2:33; Dietz Sas (tripping), 5:34; Sylvester Cal (elbowing), 6:06; Cox Sas (hooking), 6:58; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 12:18; Fafard Sas (major-fighting), 12:18; McEvoy Sas (tripping), 15:28; Thrower Sas (hooking), 16:21; Rissling Cal (boarding), 17:58.

3rd Period
6, Saskatoon, Cox 2 (Stransky, Trask), 10:42.
7, Calgary, Bubnick 11 (Sylvester), 14:13. 8, Calgary, Chase 1 (Helgesen, Trzonkowski), 19:08.
Penalties-Bubnick Cal (roughing), 0:38; Sylvester Cal (tripping), 0:38; Thrower Sas (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 0:38; Benson Sas (high sticking), 6:32; Roach Cal (roughing), 16:21; Sutter Sas (roughing), 16:21; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 18:49; Sutter Sas (major-fighting), 18:49; McEvoy Sas (10-minute misconduct), 19:08; Kosterman Cal (major-fighting), 19:14; Haas Sas (major-fighting), 19:14.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 7-21-9-37. Saskatoon 19-5-12-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 2 / 5; Saskatoon 0 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 6-4-0-0 (36 shots-34 saves). Saskatoon, Makarov 16-5-0-0 (37 shots-31 saves).
A-4,912
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Reagan Vetter (79).
Linesmen-Jason Roy (94), Brent Tournier (113).

Calgary at Saskatoon

2011-11-25T08:39:00.001-07:00

The Calgary Hitmen (12-10-1-1) are in Saskatoon tonight to face the Blades (18-6-0-1). Calgary is tied with Regina for eighth in the Eastern Conference with 26 points while Saskatoon is tied with Kootenay for number one overall with 37 points. The Hitmen are coming off Wednesday's 5-2 win in Moose Jaw while the Blades posted a 4-3 home ice shootout win Tuesday over the Medicine Hat Tigers. Internet Broadcast on sportsnet960.ca starts at 6:00pm MST.

Saskatoon is a perfect 2-0 against the Hitmen this season but have been outshot by a combined 81-60. Tonight is their third of four regular season meetings. Josh Nicholls (1g 3a), Matej Stransky (1g 3a) and Michael Burns (4a) all have four points each against the Hitmen while Cody Sylvester (2g 1a) and Jimmy Bubnick (1g 2a) both have three points against Saskatoon.
- Nov 1 in Saskatoon: Blades 4 Hitmen 1.  Andrey Makarov made 39 saves in a first star performance.
- Nov 20 in Calgary: Blades 6 Hitmen 5. Lukas Sutter scored twice including the game winner.

BLADES BANTER: Saskatoon is ranked #4 in the Canadian Hockey League Top 10 this week. The Blades are riding an eight game winning streak and are a perfect 10-0 at Credit Union Centre this season, the only team in the WHL without a home ice loss.  Dating back to last season, Saskatoon has won 42 of their last 46 games at home.

HITMEN HEADLINES: The Hitmen have won two straight, but enter tonight having picked up points in five straight road games (4-0-1-0). Calgary has scored 37 goals in their last seven games for an average of 5.3 per game.

STREAKIN:

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 11g 15a 26pts
Jimmy Bubnick 9g 12a 21pts
Alex Gogolev 10g 10a 20pts

Saskatoon
Josh Nicholls 16g 14a 30pts
Matej Stransky 12g 15a 27pts
Jesse Paradis 7g 17a 24pts
                                                           Credit Union Centre