Swift Current 3 Calgary 1

Eetu Laurikainen turned in a first star performance making 36 saves as the Swift Current Broncos posted a 3-1 victory over the Calgary Hitmen Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

All the scoring came in the first period with the Broncos getting on the board first on a powerplay goal from Graham Black.  But just 29 seconds later the Hitmen pulled even when Victor Rask, celebrating his 20th birthday, tallied his 12th of the season.

Swift Current then pulled in front again on the eventual game winner from Adam Lowry who tipped in his 41st of the season.  Flames prospect Coda Gordon extended the Broncos lead to 3-1 in the final minute of the first period scoring his 16th of the season.

The second period was all Calgary outshooting Swift Current 19-4 but Laurikainen proved unbeatable.

In the third period the Broncos were much better defensively limiting the Hitmen to just eight shots en route to victory.

As a possible opening round playoff meeting, Swift Current captured the season series going 3-1 against Calgary.

Swift Current Broncos 3 at Calgary Hitmen 1
Friday, March 1, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Swift Current 3 0 0 - 3
Calgary 1 0 0 - 1

1st Period
1, Swift Current, Black 23 (Heatherington, Merkley), 5:12 (PP).
2, Calgary, Rask 12 (Macek, Mayor), 5:41.
3, Swift Current, Lowry 41 (Heatherington, Scarlett), 17:20.
4, Swift Current, Gordon 16   19:42.
Penalties-Sylvester Cal (tripping), 3:23; Lund S.c (interference), 12:52.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Reum S.c (high sticking), 1:38; Mackay S.c (tripping), 3:29; Dale S.c (roughing), 10:55; Virtanen Cal (roughing), 10:55; Martin S.c (holding), 12:16.

3rd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Peterson Cal (tripping), 6:51; Heatherington S.c (interference), 9:12.

Shots on Goal-Swift Current 10-3-7-20. Calgary 10-19-8-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Swift Current 1 / 2; Calgary 0 / 5.
Goalies-Swift Current, Laurikainen 25-22-2-4 (37 shots-36 saves). Calgary, Driedger 30-14-1-3 (20 shots-17 saves); Shields 10-5-0-1 (0 shots-0 saves).
A-10,674
Referees-Ryan Benbow (62), Clayton Hall (42).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Aidan Henderson (78).

Swift Current at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen wrap up a mini two game home stand tonight against the Swift Current Broncos.  Game time is 7pm at Scotiabank Saddledome.  It's the seventh annual Lunar Celebration recognizing the various multi-cultural communities in Calgary by celebrating the Lunar New Year.  Among the highlights: Multiple prizes for fans to win through the 7,500 fortune cookies that will be handed out upon entering the Saddledome, dynamic intermission entertainment including an on-ice Dragon/Lion Dance and a spectacular post game indoor fireworks display.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 7 o'clock.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary (40-18-1-4) is third in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference with 85 points while Swift Current (30-27-3-4) is seventh in the conference with 67 points.

HEADING IN:  The Hitmen are coming off Wednesday's 3-2 shootout loss to Saskatoon at the 'Dome while the Broncos also played Wednesday producing a 3-2 overtime win in Brandon.

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Cody Sylvester 33g 39a 72pts
Brooks Macek 28g 44a 72pts
Brady Brassart 27g 35a 62pts
Swift Current
Adam Lowry 40g 40 80pts
Coda Gordon 15g 38a 53pts
Graham Black 22g 23a 45pts

Saskatoon 3 Calgary 2 Shootout

In a game between the second and third seeds in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference it did not disappoint going all the way to the shootout before the MasterCard Memorial Cup host Saskatoon Blades beat the Calgary Hitmen 3-2 Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Nathan Burns scored the shootout winner in the fifth round to extend the Blades franchise record winning streak to 17 games.  It also snapped Calgary's eight game home ice winning streak although the Hitmen now have at least a single point (8-0-0-1) in every home game of 2013.

Blades goalie Andrey Makarov proved to be the story for Saskatoon who was outshot 43-25 but never trailed. 

After a scoreless first period, Saskatoon opened the scoring on a break-away from Brett Stovin before a powerplay marker from Spencer Humphries drew the Hitmen even.

Heading to the third period tied 1-1, Saskatoon struck early in the final frame when Stovin pounced on a rebound off the goal post just 16 seconds in.  However again the Hitmen would again tie it, pulling even on a Brady Brassart backhander with just under seven minutes remaining.

Overtime solved nothing leading to the Burns shootout winner. 

It should be noted the Hitmen played without two 19-year-old defencemen as both LA Kings prospect Alex Roach and Washington Capitals prospect Jaynen Rissling sat out with injuries.  However fellow 19-year-old rearguard Peter Kosterman returned after missing the last 10 games.

The Hitmen now 0-2-0-1 against Saskatoon will get another crack at the Blades Tuesday in Saskatoon.

Saskatoon Blades 3 (SO) at Calgary Hitmen 2
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Saskatoon 0 1 1 0 - 3
Calgary 0 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Rask Cal (interference), 7:54; Dietz Sas (interference), 9:54; Macek Cal (tripping), 16:10.

2nd Period
1, Saskatoon, Stovin 8 (Zajac, Sutter), 11:40.
2, Calgary, Humphries 5 (Rask, Macek), 16:32 (PP).
Penalties-Thrower Cal (holding), 3:36; Sutter Sas (boarding), 7:02; Virtanen Cal (faceoff interferance), 7:57; Dietz Sas (tripping), 15:17; Gwinner Sas (major-fighting), 17:15; Mayor Cal (major-fighting), 17:15; Zajac Sas (interference), 17:28; Padakin Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 17:28; Siemens Sas (roughing), 17:50.

3rd Period
3, Saskatoon, Stovin 9 (Sutter, Zajac), 0:16.
4, Calgary, Brassart 27 (Sylvester, Chase), 13:11.
Penalties-Sutter Sas (boarding), 4:48; Brassart Cal (interference), 5:06; Craig Sas (hooking), 18:33.

OT Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout
Saskatoon 1 (McColgan NG, Stransky NG, Nicholls NG, Stovin NG, Burns G)
Calgary 0 (Rask NG, Macek NG, Chase NG, Brassart NG, Sylvester NG).
Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 10-6-6-2-1-25. Calgary 11-14-14-4-0-43.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 5; Calgary 1 / 6.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Makarov 34-16-0-3 (43 shots-41 saves). Calgary, Driedger 30-13-1-3 (24 shots-22 saves).
A-7,315
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Aidan Henderson (78).

Saskatoon at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen open a mini two game home stand tonight against the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup host Saskatoon Blades.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.  It's Western Night with fans encouraged to dust off their hat and boots and cowboy up for a night of western fun.  Husky Hitmen Hockey on Sportsnet 960 The Fan begins at 7 o'clock.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary is 40-18-1-3 sitting third in the Eastern Conference with 84 points.  Saskatoon is 39-21-0-2 good for the East Division lead and thus the second seed in the conference with 81 points.

                                                   Photo Credit: Steve Hiscock

COMING IN:  Calgary has won seven of their last nine but are coming off Saturday's 5-1 loss in Cranbrook to the Kootenay Ice.  Saskatoon is the hottest team in the WHL right now riding a franchise record 16 game winning streak.  The Blades last loss was January 23rd at home to Edmonton.  The Blades were 4-0 winners in Red Deer last night.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:  Tonight is the third of four regular season meetings.  Saskatoon leads the season series 2-0 having outscored Calgary by a combined 10-0.  Brenden Walker (3g 2a) leads the Blades with five points against Calgary while Russian World Junior goalie Andrey Makarov has back-to-back shutouts stopping a combined 67 shots.
-Nov 30/12 in Calgary: Blades 4 Hitmen 0
-Feb 1/13 in Saskatoon: Blades 6 Hitmen 0

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary is riding a season high eight game home ice winning streak which began January 2nd against Brandon.  Since then they have outscored their opponents by a combined 45-18 at the 'Dome.  Overall the Hitmen are 19-8-1-2 on home ice.  Saskatoon is on a season high seven game road winning streak which started January 22nd in Brandon.  Since then the Blades have outscored their opponents by a combined 31-8.  Overall Saskatoon is 20-10-0-1 in enemy rinks.

STREAKIN':  Hitmen rookie import Pavlo Padakin is on a three game goal scoring streak.  With just one goal in his first 14 games to start the season Padakin has 18 goals in the 46 games since.  Chris Driedger has won his last two starts in goal and five of his last six.

INJURY REPORT:  The Hitmen might be without the services of three 19-year-old defencemen tonight.
Calgary:
#4 Peter Kosterman, D, lower body, day-to-day
#9 Jaynen Rissling, D, lower body, day-to-day
#7 Alex Roach, D, upper body, day-to-day
Saskatoon:
#41 Jessey Astles, F, upper body, 1 month

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary:
Cody Sylvester 33g 38a 71pts
Brooks Macek 28g 43a 71pts
Brady Brassart 26g 35a 61pts
Saskatoon:
Matej Stransky 37g 40a 77pts
Josh Nicholls 40g 31a 71pts
Brenden Walker 27g 36a 63pts

DID YOU KNOW: The Hitmen have been shutout five times this season and have blanked their opposition three times…. Cody Sylvester (71pts) and Brooks Macek (71pts) are in a battle for the team lead in scoring.  This is the 18th season of Hitmen hockey and only on three previous occasions has there been a tie for top scorer at the end of the season.  In the 2007-08 campaign both Ryan White and Kyle Bortis finished with 72 points.  In the 2005-06 season Ryan White and Brodie Dupont finished with 53 points each while in the 2003-04 season Ryan Getzlaf and Andrew Ladd both had 75 points….NHL Central Scouting has released their mid-term rankings for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft with two members of the Calgary Hitmen cracking the list.  Forward Greg Chase, in his second season, is ranked 94th among North American Skaters.  Rookie Mack Shields is ranked 28th among North American goalies

POWERPLAY SLUMP:  The Hitmen are in an 0-10 drought with the man advantage.  Their last powerplay goal was three games ago in the third period against Regina.

UP NEXT:  Calgary welcomes the Swift Current Broncos to the 'Dome on Friday before heading out on a three game road trip to Medicine Hat (Sunday), Saskatoon (Tuesday) and Prince Albert (Wednesday).

Kootenay 5 Calgary 1

The Kootenay Ice tied a franchise record with their 12th straight win on home ice with a 5-1 triumph over the Calgary Hitmen Saturday night at Western Financial Place.

Levi Cable, Brock Montgomery and Jaeden Descheneau all had a goal and an assist for the Ice who after a scoreless first period scored twice in the middle frame to lead 2-0 after 40 minutes.

Calgary’s Pavlo Padakin pulled the Hitmen to within a goal just past the seven minute mark of the third period with his 19th of the season.  For Padakin it was his third goal in as many games.

Any thoughts of a Calgary comeback were erased when Montgomery scored on the powerplay to make it 3-1 Ice with less than four minutes remaining in regulation.

The Ice outshot the Hitmen 36-28 and won the special teams battle going 2-6 with the extra attacker while killing all five Calgary chances.

The season series between the two clubs is now tied 3-3. 

The Hitmen, third in the 12 team Eastern Conference at 40-18-1-3, open a two game home stand Wednesday night against the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup host Saskatoon Blades.  Game time is 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations as well as the Scotiabank Saddledome box office.  Order online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.  For more information on tickets, visit www.hitmenhockey.com or contact customer service at 403-777-4646.

                                                   Photo Credit: Chris Pullen

Calgary Hitmen 1 at Kootenay Ice 5
Saturday, February 23, 2013 - Western Financial Place - Cranbrook, BC

Calgary 0 0 1 - 1
Kootenay 0 2 3 - 5

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Faith Ktn (interference), 3:48; Hubic Ktn (holding), 6:23; Brooks Cal (hooking), 15:31; Brassart Cal (interference), 19:54.

2nd Period
1, Kootenay, Cable 11 (Montgomery), 6:51.
2, Kootenay, Prochazka 3 (Cable, Dirk), 15:59 (PP).
Penalties-Vetterl Ktn (interference), 2:01; Helgesen Cal (hooking), 3:41; Sylvester Cal (high sticking), 15:47; Jones Cal (boarding), 17:36.

3rd Period
3, Calgary, Padakin 19   7:27.
4, Kootenay, Montgomery 27 (Leach, Reinhart), 16:12 (PP).
5, Kootenay, Descheneau 19 (Faith, Reinhart), 17:24.
6, Kootenay, Boyd 6 (O'Connor), 17:59 (EN).
Penalties-Muth Ktn (hooking), 4:27; Harmsworth Cal (tripping), 15:28; Skapski Ktn (roughing), 18:16; Brassart Cal (slashing), 20:00; Zgraggen Cal (major-fighting), 20:00; Muth Ktn (major-fighting), 20:00; Skapski Ktn (roughing), 20:00; Vetterl Ktn (roughing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 10-13-5-28. Kootenay 10-11-15-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 5; Kootenay 2 / 6.
Goalies-Calgary, Shields 10-5-0-1 (35 shots-31 saves). Kootenay, Skapski 30-20-1-0 (28 shots-27 saves).
A-2,744
Referees-Kevin Bennett (29), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Michael Boisvert (111), Jim Maniago (85).

Calgary 6 Prince Albert 5 Shootout

Brooks Macek had a goal and two assists plus the shootout winner as the Calgary Hitmen beat the Prince Albert Raiders for the first time in three tries Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The win clinched a playoff birth for the Hitmen for the second straight season and 15th time in the 18 year history of the franchise.

The Hitmen saw leads of 2-0 and 3-1 slip away but with the Raiders leading 5-4 Macek forced overtime with 2:21 remaining in the third period.

Brady Brassart, Jesse Zgraggen, Pavlo Padakin and Colten Mayor also scored for Calgary who has now won eight straight at Scotiabank Saddledome to improve to 19-8-1-2 on home ice this season.

The Hitmen are back in action tonight in Cranbrook against the Kootenay Ice winners of 11 straight on home ice. 

Prince Albert Raiders 5 at Calgary Hitmen 6 (Shootout)
Friday, February 22, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Prince Albert 0 3 2 0 - 5
Calgary 2 2 1 0 - 6

1st Period
1, Calgary, Brassart 26 (Sylvester, Humphries), 0:10.
2, Calgary, Zgraggen 4   9:47.
Penalties-Helgesen Cal (hooking), 2:22; Hart P.a (interference), 15:42; Virtanen Cal (inter. on goaltender, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 18:05.

2nd Period
3, Prince Albert, Winther 19 (Bardaro, Lange), 2:06.
4, Calgary, Padakin 18 (Jones, Zgraggen), 6:14.
5, Prince Albert, Draisaitl 17   7:44.
6, Prince Albert, Busenius 7 (Daae, Braid), 9:10.
7, Calgary, Mayor 14 (Macek, Helgesen), 9:34.
Penalties-Winther P.a (tripping), 13:43; McNeill P.a (hooking), 14:19; Brassart Cal (hooking), 17:34.

3rd Period
8, Prince Albert, Bardaro 21 (Gardiner), 9:42.
9, Prince Albert, Draisaitl 18 (Perreaux, Conroy), 10:09.
10, Calgary, Macek 28 (Rissling, Peterson), 17:39.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (elbowing), 3:36; McNeill P.a (high sticking), 4:23; Ruopp P.a (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 7:15; Chase Cal (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 7:15.

OT Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout
Prince Albert 0 (Draisaitl NG, Morrissey NG, Winther NG),
Calgary 1 (Rask NG, Macek G, Sylvester NG).
Shots on Goal-Prince Albert 8-18-5-0-0-31. Calgary 12-12-11-0-1-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Prince Albert 0 / 5; Calgary 0 / 4.
Goalies-Prince Albert, Siemens 31-17-2-3 (19 shots-15 saves); Desautels 2-5-0-1 (16 shots-15 saves). Calgary, Driedger 30-13-1-2 (31 shots-26 saves).
A-12,571
Referees-Shaun Harris (43), Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Sean Donnelly (109), Aidan Henderson (78).

Calgary 5 Regina 2

The Calgary Hitmen extended their home ice winning streak to seven games with a 5-2 win over the Regina Pats Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Zane Jones broke a nine game goal scoring drought by scoring twice while Brady Brassart, Pavlo Padakin and Colten Mayor added singles.  For Mayor it was his first goal in 15 games as a member of the Hitmen while Brassart tied his career high of 25 goals set last season.

Victor Rask chipped in three assists to extend his point scoring streak to five games.  Brooks Macek also joined the five game point streak club by picking up an assist.

Morgan Klimchuk and Lane Schiedl scored for Regina who trailed 2-0 after the first period and 3-0 after 40 minutes.

Mack Shields made 13 saves to pick up the win in goal, his fifth in his last six starts.

Calgary improves to 39-17-1-3 while the Pats drop to 20-33-3-3.

The Hitmen will now enjoy a full four day break before hosting Prince Albert on Friday night.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Regina Pats 2 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Sunday, February 17, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Regina 0 0 2 - 2
Calgary 2 1 2 - 5

1st Period
1, Calgary, Jones 19 (Chase), 1:31.
2, Calgary, Brassart 25 (Macek, Rask), 16:56 (PP).
Penalties-Lang Cal (cross checking), 2:26; Thrower Cal (kneeing), 11:11; McCoy Reg (holding opp. stick), 16:24; Stevenson Reg (major-fighting), 17:16; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 17:16; Virtanen Cal (high sticking), 19:52.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Padakin 17   17:10.
Penalties-Padakin Cal (slashing), 8:29; Ouellette Reg (roughing), 14:25; Mayor Cal (roughing), 14:25; Christoffer Reg (slashing), 17:37.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Jones 20 (Virtanen, Rask), 2:24 (PP).
5, Regina, Klimchuk 29 (Stevenson, Stephenson), 6:23 (PP).
6, Regina, Scheidl 29 (Stephenson, Burroughs), 12:06.
7, Calgary, Mayor 13 (Rask), 12:23.
Penalties-Williams Reg (high sticking), 1:21; Henry Reg (interference), 2:59; Virtanen Cal (interference), 6:01; Sylvegard Reg (interference), 7:44.

Shots on Goal-Regina 5-8-2-15. Calgary 8-8-12-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Regina 1 / 5; Calgary 2 / 5.
Goalies-Regina, Sacher 7-11-1-0 (28 shots-23 saves). Calgary, Shields 10-4-0-1 (15 shots-13 saves).
A-9,764
Referees-Colin Watt (72), Devin Klein (9).
Linesmen-Greg Chornohus (127), Michael Roberts (87).

Regina at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen play their second home game in as many days this afternoon when they host the Regina Pats.  Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.  It's Co-op Family Day.  Visit any Calgary Co-op location to purchase a Hitmen Family Pack that includes game day tickets and concession vouchers. Fans are also encouraged bring their skates and helmet for a post-game family skate.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary enters the contest (38-17-1-3) with 80 points, good for third in the Western Hockey League Eastern Conference.  Regina (20-32-3-3) is last in the 12 team conference with 46 points.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:  Today is the fourth and final meeting this season.  Calgary leads the season series 3-0 having outscored the Pats by a combined 12-2.  Cody Sylvester had seven points (1g 6a) in the three games to lead the Hitmen.
Calgary 6 @ Regina 1 (Jan 11 2013)
Regina 0 @ Calgary 2 (Dec 15 2012)
Calgary 4 @ Regina 1 (Nov 2 2012)

INSIDE THE STREAK:  Calgary's six game home ice winning streak began January 2nd against Brandon.  Since then they have outscored their opponents by a combined 34-11 at the 'Dome.

PLAYOFFS IN SIGHT:  Calgary's magic number to clinch a playoff spot is three.  Any combination of Calgary wins or Kootenay losses totalling three and the Hitmen will nail down a post season berth for the second straight season and 15th time in the 18 year history of the franchise.

HEADING IN:  Calgary is coming off last night's 3-1 win over Victoria and has now won five of their last six.  Regina last played on Friday at home dropping a 2-1 decision to Swift Current.  The Pats have lost five of their last six.

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Cody Sylvester (33g-37a-70pts)
Brooks Macek (27g-40a-67pts)
Brady Brassart (24g-34a-58pts)

Regina
Lane Scheidl (28g-36a-64pts)
Morgan Klimchuk (28g-32a-60pts)
Chandler Stephenson (12g-18a-30pts) 

Calgary 3 Victoria 1

The Calgary Hitmen extended their home ice winning streak to six games with a 3-1 win over the Victoria Royals Saturday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Hitmen scored once in each period with captain Cody Sylvester leading the way with a pair of goals while Brady Brassart added a single.

Victoria broke Chris Driedger's shutout bid scoring on a 5-on-3 powerplay with just 2:35 remaining.  Driedger finished with 31 saves and was named the first star.

Calgary is now 38-17-1-3 while the Royals drop to 32-21-1-4.

Victoria Royals 1 at Calgary Hitmen 3
Saturday, February 16, 2013 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Victoria 0 0 1 - 1
Calgary 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period
1, Calgary, Sylvester 32 (Macek, Rask), 14:59 (PP).
Penalties-Clayton Cal (checking to the head), 2:56; Rissling Cal (elbowing), 10:05; Walker Vic (hooking), 13:39; Hicketts Vic (checking from behind), 14:49; Virtanen Cal (holding), 16:52.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Brassart 24 (Chase), 10:24.
Penalties-Kanzig Vic (slashing), 1:23; Kanzig Vic (major-fighting), 7:27; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 7:27; Zgraggen Cal (tripping), 11:36; Gagnon Vic (inter. on goaltender), 15:38.

3rd Period
3, Calgary, Sylvester 33 (Jones, Helgesen), 9:59 (PP).
4, Victoria, Hodges 24 (Magee, Crooks), 17:25 (PP).
Penalties-Chase Cal (holding), 0:57; Deacon Vic (tripping), 4:33; Fisher Vic (checking from behind), 8:33; Brassart Cal (high sticking, high sticking), 14:32; Humphries Cal (delay of game), 16:44.

Shots on Goal-Victoria 9-10-13-32. Calgary 9-10-6-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Victoria 1 / 8; Calgary 2 / 6.
Goalies-Victoria, Vollrath 2-7-0-1 (25 shots-22 saves). Calgary, Driedger 29-13-1-2 (32 shots-31 saves).
A-11,362
Referees-Patrick Gagnon (71), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Darren Spurgeon (61), Ian Shaver (74).

Victoria at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen play their first home game since January 27th tonight at home against the Victoria Royals.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.  It's the Husky Hitmen 7th Man.  Fans attending the game have an opportunity to win some great prizes including up to $500 in Husky gas.

Calgary is coming off their longest road trip in franchise history, a nine game swing, that ended Wednesday night in Spokane with a 4-3 loss to the Chiefs.  It snapped Calgary's four game winning streak and ended their journey with a record of 5-4.

Victoria enters tonight having lost 2-1 in a shootout last night in Red Deer.  It was the Patrik Bartosak show as the Rebels goalie made 44 saves through overtime plus three more in the shootout.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary is third in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 78 points while the Royals are fifth in the Western Conference with 69 points.

WHAT'S LEFT:  Including tonight, of Calgary's 14 remaining regular season games, nine are at Scotiabank Saddledome.

SEASON SERIES:  Tonight is the third and final regular season meeting.  After Victoria produced a 3-1 win on Vancouver Island on October 18th, the Hitmen bounced back with a 5-2 win over the Royals at the 'Dome on November 9th.

TOP SCORERS:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 31g 37a 68pts
Brooks Macek 27g 39a 68pts
Brady Brassart 23g 34a 57pts

Victoria
Alex Gogolev 20g 45a 65pts (lower body injury, 10-14 days)
Brandon Magee 28g 23a 51pts
Jamie Crooks 28g 14a 42pts