Calgary at Kootenay

The Calgary Hitmen (24-9-1-3) will close out 2012 with a New Year's Eve game in Cranbrook against the Kootenay Ice (11-24-1-0)  Radio Broadcast begins with the opening face-off at 5pm on Sportsnet 960 The Fan.

THE STANDINGS:  With 52 points, the Hitmen sit third in the Eastern Conference, just a single point back of the conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings.  Both teams have played 37 of their 72 game regular season schedule.  The Ice sit last in the 12 team conference with 23 points, 12 points out of a playoff spot.

COMING IN:  Calgary was a 4-1 winner in Lethbridge just two days ago, snapping a two game losing streak.  Kootenay also played 48 hours ago posting a 7-3 win in Spokane.  That snapped a four game slide.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:  Today is the fifth of eight regular season meetings.  Calgary leads the season series 3-1 having outscored the Ice by a combined 15-7.  Brooks Macek leads the Hitmen with seven points (2g 5a) against Kootenay while Brock Montgomery (4g) and Sam Reinhart (4a) both have four points each for the Ice.
-Sep. 22 Kootenay 1 at Calgary 5
-Nov. 12 Kootenay 4 at Calgary 0
-Dec. 2 Kootenay 1 at Calgary 4
-Dec. 4 Calgary 6 at Kootenay 1

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 16g 27a 43pts
Cody Sylvester 20g 15a 35pts
Brady Brassart 10g 23a 33pts

Kootenay
Sam Reinhart 13g 19a 32pts
Jaedon Descheneau 6g 21a 27pts
Brock Montgomery 12g 7a 19pts

Calgary 4 Lethbridge 1

One night after dropping a home contest to Lethbridge, the Calgary Hitmen returned the favour beating the Hurricanes 4-1 Saturday night at Enmax Centre.

Graham Hood opened the scoring for Lethbridge but it was all Calgary from there.

Zane Jones, Brady Brassart, Jaynen Rissling and Greg Chase scored four unanswered goals for the Hitmen who got a pair of assists from Brooks Macek.

Calgary also hit three goal posts and a crossbar while improving their WHL best road record to 13-1-0-1.

The Hitmen remain third in the Eastern Conference, just a point back of the conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings. 

Calgary returns to action on New Year's Eve in Cranbrook against the Kootenay Ice who were 7-3 winners in Spokane on Saturday night.

                                           Photo Credit:  Lethbridge Hurricanes

Calgary Hitmen 4 at Lethbridge Hurricanes 1
Saturday, December 29, 2012 - Enmax Centre - Lethbridge, AB

Calgary 2 1 1 - 4
Lethbridge 1 0 0 - 1
1st Period
1, Lethbridge, Hood 6 (Ramsay, Mckechnie), 4:02.
2, Calgary, Jones 10 (Macek, Rissling), 10:09.
3, Calgary, Brassart 10 (Jones, Macek), 14:51.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (roughing), 7:54; Roach Cal (cross checking), 7:54; Harper Let (roughing), 7:54; Helgesen Cal (roughing), 19:35; Blomqvist Let (roughing), 19:35; Maxwell Let (kneeing), 19:35.

2nd Period
4, Calgary, Rissling 4 (Roach, Clayton), 16:09.
Penalties-Samoridny Cal (roughing), 14:27; Topping Let (roughing), 14:27; Rissling Cal (slashing), 19:48.

3rd Period
5, Calgary, Chase 10 (Humphries, Sylvester), 17:14.
Penalties-Leverton Let (cross checking), 2:52; Brassart Cal (interference), 3:46; Roach Cal (cross checking), 13:29; Humphries Cal (slashing), 15:05; Peterson Cal (major-fighting), 18:37; Ramsay Let (major-fighting), 18:37; Rissling Cal (high sticking, major-fighting), 19:21; Yakubowski Let (major-fighting), 19:21; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 19:33; Harper Let (major-fighting), 19:33; Henry Let (slashing), 19:33.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 19-13-7-39. Lethbridge 14-10-5-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 2; Lethbridge 0 / 6.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 19-7-1-2 (29 shots-28 saves). Lethbridge, Rimmer 16-16-1-4 (39 shots-35 saves).
A-4,349
Referees-Curtis Howe (27), Jonathan Spurgeon (7).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Sean Donnelly (109).

Lethbridge 2 Calgary 1

Ty Rimmer made 36 saves in a first star performance on the road as the Lethbridge Hurricanes edged the Calgary Hitmen 2-1 Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Brady Ramsay in the first period and Sam McKechnie in the second period provided all the offence the visitors would need.

Brooks Macek, with a late third period powerplay marker, was the only Hitmen to beat Rimmer on this night.

Lethbridge Hurricanes 2 at Calgary Hitmen 1
Friday, December 28, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Lethbridge 1 1 0 - 2
Calgary 0 0 1 - 1

1st Period
1, Lethbridge, Ramsay 10 (Hood), 10:15.
Penalties-No Penalties

2nd Period
2, Lethbridge, Mckechnie 17   13:31.
Penalties-Topping Let (slashing), 6:02; Maxwell Let (roughing), 7:16; Chase Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 7:16; Samoridny Cal (roughing), 7:31; Erkamps Let (major-fighting), 7:50; Henry Let (holding), 7:50; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 7:50; Ramsay Let (slashing), 8:30; Rissling Cal (roughing), 8:30; Peterson Cal (interference), 9:23; Rissling Cal (tripping), 11:52; Maxwell Let (hooking), 13:14; Johnston Let (delay of game), 20:00.

3rd Period
3, Calgary, Macek 16 (Chase, Humphries), 15:59 (PP).
Penalties-Blomqvist Let (cross checking), 4:20; served by Macek Cal (too many men), 8:10; Roach Cal (interference), 11:36; Hood Let (roughing), 12:20; Padakin Cal (roughing), 12:20; Erkamps Let (tripping), 15:31.

Shots on Goal-Lethbridge 13-5-7-25. Calgary 7-17-13-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Lethbridge 0 / 4; Calgary 1 / 6.
Goalies-Lethbridge, Rimmer 16-16-1-4 (37 shots-36 saves). Calgary, Driedger 19-7-1-2 (25 shots-23 saves).
A-12,131
Referees-Brett Montsion (54), Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Sean Donnelly (109), Aidan Henderson (78).

Edmonton 4 Calgary 1

The Edmonton Oil Kings won the special teams battle and won the hockey game beating the Calgary Hitmen 4-1 Tuesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

After Greg Chase opened the scoring for Calgary, potting his ninth of the season in the first period it was all Edmonton. 

The Oil Kings got a pair of shorthanded goals from Henrik Samuelsson in the second period to turn the momentum around.  Cody Corbett also scored in the middle stanza on the powerplay.

In the third period, Curtis Lazar added another powerplay goal for Edmonton who outshot Calgary by a combined 23-6 over the final 40 minutes.

The win moves Edmonton a point ahead of Calgary into top spot in the Eastern Conference heading into the Christmas Break.

Edmonton Oil Kings 4 at Calgary Hitmen 1
Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

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

1st Period
1, Calgary, Chase 9 (Virtanen, Sylvester), 17:08.
Penalties-Samuelsson Edm (hooking), 19:15.

2nd Period
2, Edmonton, Samuelsson 17 (Lazar), 3:25 (SH).
3, Edmonton, Corbett 3 (Wruck, Moroz), 6:54 (PP).
4, Edmonton, Samuelsson 18   16:40 (SH).
Penalties-Baddock Edm (slashing), 2:09; Macek Cal (tripping), 6:23; Legault Edm (slashing), 6:52; Virtanen Cal (roughing), 18:40.

3rd Period
5, Edmonton, Lazar 15 (Samuelsson, Sautner), 18:38 (PP).
Penalties-Baddock Edm (roughing), 6:52; Virtanen Cal (inter. on goaltender), 10:37; Sylvester Cal (slashing), 16:48.

Shots on Goal-Edmonton 8-14-9-31. Calgary 10-5-1-16.
Power Play Opportunities-Edmonton 2 / 4; Calgary 0 / 4.
Goalies-Edmonton, Brossoit 13-4-2-3 (16 shots-15 saves). Calgary, Driedger 18-5-1-2 (31 shots-27 saves).
A-7,763
Referees-Shaun Harris (43), Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Aidan Henderson (78), Ian Shaver (74).

Edmonton at Calgary

It's the final night of action in the Western Hockey League before the Christmas break and what a way to end it in Calgary as the Hitmen host the Edmonton Oil Kings in a battle for top spot in the Eastern Conference.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Husky Hitmen Hockey on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at six with the Mr. Fireplace Warm-up.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary is 23-7-1-3 sitting first in the Eastern Conference with 50 points.  However right behind them is Edmonton at 22-7-2-3, good for 49 points.

                                         Photo Credit:  Brad Watson/Calgary Hitmen

OF LATE:  Calgary is without a regulation loss in their last four games (3-0-0-1) going 15-3-0-1 in their last 19.  Edmonton is on a four game winning streak piling up a record of 13-3-0-1 in their last 17.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Tonight is the sixth and final regular season meeting.  Calgary leads the series 4-1 having outscored Edmonton by a combined 22-16.  Two of those victories have come in extra time.  Brooks Macek leads the Hitmen with nine points in five games (3g 6a) against Edmonton while T.J. Foster (6g 1a), Michael St. Croix (1g 6a) and Dylan Wruck (1g 6a) all have seven points against Calgary to lead the Oil Kings.
-Edmonton 4 @ Calgary 2 (Dec 8 2012)
-Calgary 5 @ Edmonton 2 (Dec 7 2012)
-Calgary 5 @ Edmonton 4 in a shootout (Oct 12 2012)
-Edmonton 5 @ Calgary 6 in overtime (Oct 7 2012)
-Calgary 4 @ Edmonton 1 (Sep 28 2012)

WORLD JUNIOR IMPACT:  Calgary will be without the services of Victor Rask tonight who is attending Sweden's selection camp, while Edmonton is without Griffn Reinhart who's a member of Team Canada.

HOLDING THE LEAD:  Both teams are nearly impossible to beat when they take a lead to the third period.  Calgary is 17-0-1-1 when leading after 40 minutes while Edmonton is 19-1-1-1.

STREAKIN': Cody Sylvester (2g 3a) is on a three game point streak while Kenton Helgesen (2a) has points in back-to-back games.

SPECIAL TEAMS:  Edmonton has the WHL's best powerplay (29%) and penalty kill (92%).  Calgary's powerplay is just 2 for its last 28 (7.1%) while the penalty kill has killed 19 of its last 20 shorthanded situations (95%) including a pair of 5-on-3's.

SIN BIN:  Calgary has been shorthanded 173 times this season, tied with Kamloops for the most trips to the penalty box in the WHL.  On average Calgary is a man down 5.1 times per game.  Conversely they are tied with Edmonton for ninth in the league for the fewest powerplay chances this season at 138. 

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary is 11-6-1-2 on home ice while Edmonton is 7-4-1-1 on the road.

TOP SCORERS: 
Calgary
Brooks Macek 15g 25a 40pts
Cody Sylvester 20g 13a 33pts
Brady Brassart 9g 23a 32pts

Edmonton
Michael St. Croix 19g 25a 44pts
Dylan Wruck 11g 32a 43pts
T.J. Foster 16g 22a 38pts

THE ROAD AHEAD:  Following tonight's game the Hitmen will enjoy a nine day Christmas Break before returning to action on December 28th at home against Lethbridge.  It's the start of a home-and-home series with the Hurricanes as the return match goes the following night in Lethbridge.

Calgary 6 Kelowna 2

In a battle for third overall in the Western Hockey League the Calgary Hitmen beat the Kelowna Rockets 6-2 Sunday at Scotiabank Saddledome in front of 8,397.

After a scoreless first period the Hitmen blew the game open in the middle frame outshooting Kelowna 13-1 and scoring three times to build a 3-0 lead. 

The turning point came at 3:57 of the second period.  With Kelowna on a 5-on-3 powerplay, Cody Sylvester scored shorthanded giving Calgary a 2-0 lead.

On the day Brooks Macek led the scoring attack with three points (2g 1a) while Sylvester and Brady Brassart both had a goal and an assist.  Elliot Peterson and Jake Virtanen also netted goals.

Chris Driedger made 22 saves to pick up the win.

Calgary improves to 23-7-1-3.  At 50 points they lead the Eastern Conference by a single point and pull two points ahead of Kelowna for third overall.

The Hitmen will play their final game before the Christmas Break Tuesday when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Kelowna Rockets 2 at Calgary Hitmen 6
Sunday, December 16, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Kelowna 0 0 2 - 2
Calgary 0 3 3 - 6

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Kosterman Cal (interference), 1:43; Rigby Kel (charging), 4:20; Hurley Cal (tripping), 9:53.

2nd Period
1, Calgary, Macek 14 (Brassart), 0:14.
2, Calgary, Sylvester 20 (Rissling), 3:57 (SH).
3, Calgary, Macek 15 (Padakin, Helgesen), 16:01.
Penalties-Peterson Cal (interference), 2:31; Humphries Cal (cross checking), 3:14; Heffley Kel (boarding), 5:46; Bowey Kel (10-minute misconduct), 8:19; Goulbourne Kel (major-fighting), 8:19; Hurley Cal (major-fighting), 8:19; Kosterman Cal (10-minute misconduct), 8:19; Severson Kel (roughing), 9:38; Rigby Kel (interference), 16:28.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Peterson 2 (Calladine, Samoridny), 1:07.
5, Kelowna, Lees 3 (Franko), 8:18.
6, Calgary, Brassart 9 (Sylvester), 13:02 (PP).
7, Calgary, Virtanen 6 (Macek), 15:01.
8, Kelowna, Bowey 8 (Chartier), 17:23 (PP).
Penalties-Bell Kel (major-fighting), 1:30; Kosterman Cal (major-fighting), 1:30; Bowey Kel (slashing), 9:49; Rissling Cal (interference), 10:08; Lees Kel (cross checking), 11:54; Bell Kel (10-minute misconduct), 15:01; Olsen Kel (roughing), 15:33; Helgesen Cal (tripping), 15:33; Rissling Cal (roughing), 15:33; Bowey Kel (roughing), 18:41; Heffley Kel (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 20:00; Helgesen Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Kelowna 13-1-10-24. Calgary 6-13-10-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Kelowna 1 / 6; Calgary 1 / 7.
Goalies-Kelowna, Whistle 7-1-0-0 (19 shots-16 saves); Morrissey 0-0-0-0 (10 shots-7 saves). Calgary, Driedger 17-5-1-2 (24 shots-22 saves).
A-8,379
Referees-Jeff Ingram (82), Simon Tartre.
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Scott Sharun (103).

Kelowna at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen are back on Scotiabank Saddledome ice this afternoon as they host the Kelowna Rockets at 4:00 pm.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan begins at 3:55 with an abbreviated Mr. Fireplace Warm-up.  Today is also "Dodge Skate with the Hitmen."  Fans are encouraged to bring their skates to join the team post-game on Scotiabank Saddledome ice.  All participants under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary is 22-7-1-3, at 48 points they lead the WHL's Eastern Conference by a single point over Edmonton.  Kelowna is 23-9-1-1, at 48 points they are third in the Western Conference, one point ahead of Spokane.

ROLLING OF LATE:  Calgary is 14-3-0-1 in their last 18 while Kelowna is 11-1 in their last 12.

COMING IN:  The Hitmen are coming off last night's 2-0 home ice win over Regina while Kelowna will be playing their third game in as many days after a 5-2 win in Medicine Hat on Friday and a 6-1 victory in Red Deer last night.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:  Today is the second and final meeting this season.  Kelowna won the the first posting a 4-1 triumph in Calgary on October 28th.  Zach Franko led the Rockets with three points (2g 1a) in what was Calgary's third game in as many days.

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary is 10-6-1-2 at home while Kelowna is 10-7-1-1 on the road.

STREAKIN':  Cody Sylvester (1g 2a) has points in back to back games.

DRAFT PROSPECTS:  Two Kelowna Rockets cracked NHL Central Scouting's preliminary rankings for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.  Madison Bowey is ranked 10th among WHL skaters while Mitchell Wheaton is number 22.  Bowey will play in the CHL Top Prospects game.

DID YOU KNOW?  Kelowna has only been to overtime twice this season, the fewest of any team in the WHL this season...Today is Kelowna's last game before the Christmas Break while the Hitmen will host Edmonton on Tuesday before their break....The Rockets have scored the second most goals in the WHL this season at 141 while also giving up the second fewest at 81.
  
TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 13g 24a 37pts
Cody Sylvester 19g 12a 31pts
Brady Brassart 8g 22a 30pts

Kelowna
Myles Bell 20g 28a 48pts
Zack Franko 12g 23a 35pts
Dylen McKinlay 10g 21a 31pts

Calgary 2 Regina 0

Mack Shields made 18 saves for his first career shutout in a 2-0 win over the Regina Pats Saturday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Greg Chase opened the scoring for Calgary just 1:46 into the opening period and it stayed that way until Cody Sylvester added a shorthanded goal into an empty net in the final minute.

Special teams played a large role in the win with Calgary killing all 10 Regina powerplays including a pair of 5-on-3's.

The Hitmen are now 14-3-0-1 in their last 18 games to improve to 22-7-1-3 on the season.  At 48 points they lead the Eastern Conference standings, staying two points ahead of Edmonton who also won Saturday night.

Calgary is right back in action Sunday afternoon, hosting the Kelowna Rockets at 4pm.

                                                             Mack Shields

Regina Pats 0 at Calgary Hitmen 2
Saturday, December 15, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

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

1st Period
1, Calgary, Chase 8 (Sylvester), 1:46.
Penalties-Mumby Reg (kneeing), 2:24; Brassart Cal (inter. on goaltender), 3:33; Virtanen Cal (hooking), 7:50; Jones Cal (hooking), 12:10; Williams Reg (holding), 15:50; Lang Cal (tripping), 18:55; McCoy Reg (10-minute misconduct), 20:00; Williams Reg (major-fighting), 20:00; Hurley Cal (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 20:00; Roach Cal (10-minute misconduct), 20:00.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Kosterman Cal (delay of game), 1:18; Ouellette Reg (inter. on goaltender), 2:44; Macek Cal (hooking), 7:07; Humphries Cal (slashing), 15:32.

3rd Period
2, Calgary, Sylvester 19   19:18 (SH).
Penalties-Sylvester Cal (checking to the head), 8:49; Ouellette Reg (hooking), 12:31; Clayton Cal (delay of game), 17:34.

Shots on Goal-Regina 4-8-6-18. Calgary 10-5-15-30.
Power Play Opportunities-Regina 0 / 10; Calgary 0 / 4.
Goalies-Regina, Hewitt 8-13-1-2 (30 shots-28 saves). Calgary, Shields 5-2-0-1 (18 shots-18 saves).
A-8,474
Referees-Tyler Adair (58), Alexander Cote.
Linesmen-Ryan Gibbons (73), Cody Huseby (88).

Regina at Calgary

Tis the the final three games before Christmas and all through the 'Dome not a Thrower was singing not even from home!  Okay my attempt at a catchy holiday saying falls short BUT the Calgary Hitmen are back on the ice tonight as they host the Regina Pats.  Game time is 7:00pm at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan with starts at 6 o'clock with the Mr. Fireplace Warm-up.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary holds a record of 21-7-1-3 to lead the Eastern Conference with 46 points.  They sit a point up on both the Prince Albert Raiders and Edmonton Oil Kings.  Regina is 12-18-2-2, currently tied with Brandon for ninth spot in the conference with 28 points.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:  Tonight is the second of four regular season meetings.  Calgary won the first, posting a 4-1 win in Regina on November 3rd.  Brook Macek (2g 1a) and Cody Sylvester (3a) both had three points each while Chris Driedger made 30 saves.

COMING IN:  Calgary is coming off Wednesday's 2-1 win in Red Deer.  The Pats snapped a seven game winless streak Wednesday with a 3-0 home ice win over Prince Albert.

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary is 9-6-1-2 on home ice while Regina is 4-11-0-2 on the road.

FAMILIAR FACE:  Darian Henry makes his return to Calgary tonight after getting traded to the Pats on Wednesday.  He'll wear number 55.

THE WORLD CALLS:  Hitmen forward Victor Rask left Thursday for Team Sweden's selection camp for the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship.  Rask was a member of Sweden's gold medal squad in 2012.  Sweden will announce its final roster on December 25th.

DRAFT PROSPECT:  The Regina line-up features Calgarian Morgan Klimchuk who was ranked fifth among WHL skaters for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft in the preliminary rankings by Central Scouting.

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 13g 24a 37pts
Brady Brassart 8g 22g 30pts
Cody Sylvester 18g 11a 29pts

Regina
Lane Scheidl 18g 20a 38pts
Morgan Klimchuk 16g 22a 38pts
Dyson Stevenson 10g 10a 20pts

Calgary 2 Red Deer 1

The Calgary Hitmen moved into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win in Red Deer Wednesday night. 

It what was a battles of the goalies most the night, all the scoring came in the third period.

Joel Hamilton put the Rebels on the board first, scoring just 42 seconds into the final frame before Brooks Macek and Victor Rask scored 26 seconds apart roughly five minutes later to give the Hitmen a lead they would not relinquish.

Chris Driedger turned in a solid performance in the Calgary net making 35 saves as the Rebels outshot the Hitmen 36-31.

Calgary improves to a WHL best 12-1-0-1 on the road this season.

The Hitmen will play their final three games before the Christmas Break at home starting Saturday night against the Regina Pats.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Calgary Hitmen 2 at Red Deer Rebels 1
Wednesday, December 12, 2012 - Enmax Centrium - Red Deer, AB

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

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Hurley Cal (roughing), 9:52; Underwood R.d (roughing), 9:52; Hurley Cal (kneeing), 12:30.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Pochuk R.d (holding), 8:56; Sylvester Cal (interference), 13:36.

3rd Period
1, Red Deer, Hamilton 3 (Ness, Bellerive), 0:42.
2, Calgary, Macek 13 (Roach), 5:46.
3, Calgary, Rask 3 (Sylvester, Kosterman), 6:12.
Penalties-Chase Cal (slashing), 10:28.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 11-10-10-31. Red Deer 14-12-10-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 1; Red Deer 0 / 3.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 17-5-1-2 (36 shots-35 saves). Red Deer, Pouliot 2-5-0-1 (31 shots-29 saves).
A-4,305
Referees-Chris Crich (20), Shaun Harris (43).
Linesmen-Cory Lundquist (128), Chad Huseby (59).

Hitmen deal Henry

The Calgary Hitmen have traded 18-year-old defenceman Darian Henry to the Regina Pats for a fifth round pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft.

The Hitmen had acquired the Strathmore, Alberta product in the off season from the Everett Silvertips in exchange for forward Luke Gordon.

Henry got caught in a numbers game in Calgary.  A true defenceman, Henry had played the better part of the last two months as a forward.

His move to Regina will open up playing time for many of the young Hitmen including Josh Thrower, Colby Harmsworth, Austin Calladine, Chase Lang, Jake Virtanen and Elliot Peterson.

Kamloops 3 Calgary 2 Shootout

Brendan Ranford scored the game winner in the shootout lifting the Kamloops Blazers to a 3-2 win in Calgary Tuesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The win for the Blazers was the second in as many tries against the Hitmen this season.

Calgary built a 2-0 second period lead on goals from Zane Jones and Brady Brassart before the WHL's top point producer Colin Smith struck for a pair for Kamloops, including the tying goal just 19 seconds in the the third period.

Calgary had a couple of great looks in overtime but both Jake Virtanen and Victor Rask hit the goal post.

Kamloops Blazers 3 (SO) at Calgary Hitmen 2
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

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

1st Period
1, Calgary, Jones 9 (Brassart, Macek), 13:09.
Penalties-Rehill Kam (hooking), 2:16; Helgesen Cal (interference), 3:44; Grist Kam (roughing), 9:18; Rehill Kam (major-fighting), 11:34; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 11:34; Smith Kam (hooking), 19:20; Edmundson Kam (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:36.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Brassart 8 (Humphries, Rask), 0:35 (PP).
3, Kamloops, Smith 24 (Bozon), 12:21.
Penalties-Grist Kam (interference), 3:42; Humphries Cal (instigator), 3:42; Grist Kam (major-fighting), 5:42; Humphries Cal (major-fighting), 5:42; Humphries Cal (10-minute misconduct), 10:42; Helgesen Cal (holding), 11:27; Inglis Kam (inter. on goaltender), 11:54; Brassart Cal (tripping), 16:42; Helgesen Cal (holding), 19:25.

3rd Period
4, Kamloops, Smith 25 (Bozon, Ranford), 0:19 (PP).
Penalties-Rissling Cal (roughing), 8:54.

OT Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout - Kamloops 2 (Bozon NG, Smith G, Ranford G), Calgary 1 (Macek NG, Rask G, Chase NG).
Shots on Goal-Kamloops 5-10-3-2-1-21. Calgary 13-5-4-4-0-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Kamloops 1 / 5; Calgary 1 / 4.
Goalies-Kamloops, Cheveldave 19-5-0-1 (26 shots-24 saves). Calgary, Driedger 16-5-1-2 (20 shots-18 saves).
A-7,068
Referees-Colin Watt (72), Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Aidan Henderson (78), Justin Slimm (105).

Kamloops at Calgary

After a home-and-home split with the defending Western Hockey League Champion Edmonton Oil Kings, the task doesn't get any easier for the Calgary Hitmen tonight who face the CHL's number four ranked Kamloops Blazers.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Husky Hitmen Hockey on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at six o'clock with the Mr. Fireplace 60 minute warm-up.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary is 20-7-1-2.  At 43 points they sit tied with Edmonton for top spot in the Central Division, just a single point behind the Eastern Conference leading Prince Albert Raiders.  Kamloops is 24-7-1-2.  At 51 points the Blazers lead the BC Division and are tied with the Portland Winterhawks for number one overall in the Western Hockey League.  Although the Hitmen are eight points back of Kamloops, they have four games in hand.

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary is 9-6-1-1 on home ice while Kamloops is 10-5-0-1 on the road.

HEAD TO HEAD:  Tonight is the second and final regular season meeting between the Hitmen and Blazers.  Kamloops won their only previous tilt posting a 5-2 victory at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 14th.  The Blazers scored all five goals on the powerplay going 5-10 with the man advantage.  JC Jipon led the scoring attack with four points (2g 2a) as Kamloops outshot the Hitmen 31-15.

RECENT RUN:  Calgary 12-2 in their last 14 while Kamloops is 7-2-1-1 in their last 11.

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 12g 23a 35pts
Cody Sylvester 18g 10a 28pts
Brady Brassart 7g 21a 28pts

Kamloops
Colin Smith 23g 36a 59pts
JC Lipon 22g 35a 57pts
Tim Bozon 17g 25a 42pts

LINE-UP NOTE:  Kamloops with be without the services of Lipon tonight who is attending Canada's World Junior Selection Camp in Calgary.

BATTLE BETWEEN THE PIPES:  Both teams feature goalies who are having remarkable seasons thus far.  For Kamloops 19-year-old Cole Cheveldave holds the third best goal against average in the WHL at 2.16 while Calgary's 18-year-old Chris Driedger is fourth with a 2.29 GAA.

DID YOU KNOW?  Kamloops has scored the fourth most goals in the WHL.  They also have three of the top nine scorers in the league; Smith (1st). Lipon (2nd) and Bozon (9th).  The Blazers are also tied for the third fewest goals allowed in the WHL. 

Edmonton 4 Calgary 2

Despite a frantic push by the Hitmen in the final four minutes to cut a 3-0 deficit to 3-2, Calgary could get no closer in a 4-2 home ice loss to Edmonton Saturday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Dylan Wruck sealed the victory for the defending WHL Champion Oil Kings scoring into an empty net. 

That goal also put the cap on a home-and-home split between the top two teams in the Central Division with the road team winning both contests.

                                      Photo Credit: Brad Watson-Calgary Hitmen

Edmonton Oil Kings 4 at Calgary Hitmen 2
Saturday, December 8, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Edmonton 2 0 2 - 4
Calgary 0 0 2 - 2

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Reinhart 4 (Legault, Wruck), 7:25 (PP).
2, Edmonton, Legault 3 (Corbett, Foster), 18:05.
Penalties-Moroz Edm (major-fighting), 3:09; Roach Cal (major-fighting), 3:09; Brassart Cal (tripping), 7:06; Legault Edm (roughing), 9:55; Lazar Edm (elbowing), 19:56.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Legault Edm (holding), 19:36.

3rd Period
3, Edmonton, Samuelsson 14 (St. Croix, Reinhart), 9:47 (PP).
4, Calgary, Sylvester 18 (Rask, Humphries), 16:28.
5, Calgary, Roach 8 (Brassart, Rask), 16:54.
6, Edmonton, Wruck 11 (Reinhart), 19:01 (EN).
Penalties-Rissling Cal (holding), 9:11; Benson Edm (holding), 11:25; St. Croix Edm (cross checking), 11:25; Clayton Cal (slashing), 11:25.

Shots on Goal-Edmonton 14-10-10-34. Calgary 16-3-12-31.
Power Play Opportunities-Edmonton 2 / 2; Calgary 0 / 4.
Goalies-Edmonton, Brossoit 12-4-2-3 (31 shots-29 saves). Calgary, Driedger 16-5-1-1 (33 shots-30 saves).
A-8,771
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Sean Donnelly (109).

Calgary 5 Edmonton 2

The Calgary Hitmen are back on top the WHL's Eastern Conference Standings.  The Hitmen moved back into the penthouse Friday night with a 5-2 win in Edmonton over the Oil Kings.

Calgary, now 11-1-0-1 on the road this season, leads the conference by one point over Prince Albert and the Central Division by two points over Edmonton.

It was a come-from-behind win for the visitors who spotted the Oil Kings a 2-0 first period lead.  At one point in the opening frame Edmonton had an 11-1 lead on the shot clock but the Hitmen survived the surge and escaped the first period trailing only 2-1 as Cody Sylvester notched his 17th goal of the season.

In a strange twist in the second period the Hitmen pulled even as Carson Samoridny converted on the rarely seen 3-on-1 shorthanded rush. 

Zane Jones then scored a pair of third period goals to give Calgary the lead, capped by an empty net goal off the stick of Pavlo Padakin. 

Calgary now 20-6-1-2 will host Edmonton tonight at Scotiabank Saddledome in the rematch. 

Fans are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Calgary Food Bank.

Game time is 7:00 p.m.

                                               Photo Credit: Andy Devlin

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Edmonton Oil Kings 2
Friday, December 7, 2012 - Rexall Place - Edmonton, AB

Calgary 1 1 3 - 5
Edmonton 2 0 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Edmonton, Kulda 4   2:00.
2, Edmonton, Lazar 13 (Legault, Wruck), 10:58 (PP).
3, Calgary, Sylvester 17   11:27.
Penalties-Virtanen Cal (too many men), 5:11; Virtanen Cal (checking from behind), 9:27; Chase Cal (hooking), 12:48.

2nd Period
4, Calgary, Samoridny 6 (Padakin, Roach), 17:39 (SH).
Penalties-Musil Edm (high sticking, high sticking), 1:39; Legault Edm (hooking), 7:51; Humphries Cal (hooking), 16:10; Sylvester Cal (roughing), 19:31; Lowe Edm (roughing), 19:31.

3rd Period
5, Calgary, Jones 7 (Brassart, Macek), 11:50.
6, Calgary, Jones 8 (Brassart, Macek), 16:42.
7, Calgary, Padakin 9 (Rask), 19:19 (EN).
Penalties-Moroz Edm (hooking), 13:00; Lowe Edm (delay of game), 13:21.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 13-5-20-38. Edmonton 19-6-11-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 5; Edmonton 1 / 4.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 16-4-1-1 (36 shots-34 saves). Edmonton, Brossoit 11-4-2-3 (37 shots-33 saves).
A-12,575
Referees-Chris Crich (20), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Chris Carlson (92), Scott Fulmer (32).

Calgary at Edmonton

Two of the top teams in not only the Western Hockey League, but all of the Canadian Hockey League lock horns Friday night to open a home and home series as the Calgary Hitmen visit the Edmonton Oil Kings at Rexall Place.  Game time is 7:00 p.m.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 6 o'clock with a one hour pre-game show.  Calgary is ranked 9th in the CHL this week while the Oil Kings are number 10.

HEADING IN:  Calgary has won two in a row and 11 of their last 13 games having last played Tuesday night in Cranbrook posting a 6-1 win.  Edmonton had their two game winning streak snapped Wednesday night falling 6-2 in Lethbridge.  But the Oil Kings have picked up points in nine of their last 10 games going 7-1-1-1 in that span.

THE STANDINGS:  Both teams sit tied atop the WHL's Central Division with 41 points, however the Hitmen at 19-6-1-2 have a game in hand on the Oil Kings who hold a record of 18-6-2-3.  Both teams are only a single point back of the Eastern Conference leading Prince Albert Raiders.

Calgary 6 Kootenay 1

Greg Chases scored a pair of goals for the second straight game lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 6-1 win over the Kootenay Ice Tuesday night in Cranbrook.

Pavlo Pakakin, Victor Rask, Carson Samoridny and Brooks Macek also scored for Calgary who completed a home-and-home sweep of the Ice.

Cody Sylvester and Brady Brassart both chipped in a pair of assists for the Hitmen who scored six unanswered goals after Kyle O'Connor opened the scoring for the Ice.

Making his first start in seven games, Mack Shields made 30 saves to pick up the win.

Calgary Hitmen 6 at Kootenay Ice 1
Tuesday, December 4, 2012 - Western Financial Place - Cranbrook, BC

Calgary 3 2 1 - 6
Kootenay 1 0 0 - 1

1st Period
1, Kootenay, O'Connor 5 (Vetterl, Cable), 9:16.
2, Calgary, Padakin 8 (Macek, Brassart), 9:27.
3, Calgary, Rask 2 (Roach, Macek), 10:27 (PP).
4, Calgary, Chase 6 (Hurley, Clayton), 11:18.
Penalties-Roach Cal (interference), 3:21; Martin Ktn (high sticking), 10:05; Samoridny Cal (delay of game), 13:26.

2nd Period
5, Calgary, Samoridny 5 (Sylvester, Rask), 3:50.
6, Calgary, Macek 12 (Brassart, Jones), 9:41.

Penalties-Helgesen Cal (slashing), 11:14; Henry Cal (hooking), 13:33.
3rd Period
7, Calgary, Chase 7 (Rask, Sylvester), 10:31.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (cross checking), 14:56; McPhee Ktn (slashing), 18:14; Benoit Ktn (cross checking), 18:55.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 12-15-14-41. Kootenay 8-16-7-31.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 3; Kootenay 0 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Shields 4-2-0-1 (31 shots-30 saves). Kootenay, Skapski 8-12-0-0 (41 shots-35 saves).
A-2,101
Referees-Matt Kirk (4), Colin Stefanyk (14).
Linesmen-Sean Donnelly (109), Ian Shaver (74).

Calgary 4 Kootenay 1

It was a huge day for charity with 21,453 teddy bears collected on Sunday in the 18th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss.

The Calgary Hitmen beat the Kootenay Ice 4-1 with rookie forward Pavlo Padakin triggering the blizzard of bears scoring the games first goal just over 13 minutes into the first period.

Greg Chase scored a pair of powerplay goal for the Hitmen while the penalty killing brigade was near perfect with Kootenay going just 1-8 on the powerplay.

Alex Roach also scored for Calgary who got a pair of assists each from Brady Brassart and Brooks Macek.

Brock Montgomery scored the lone goal for the Ice who were outshot 29-19.

Calgary is now 18-6-1-2 on the season and will visit the Ice in Cranbrook on Tuesday.

                                       Photo Credit:  Brad Watson-Calgary Hitmen

Kootenay Ice 1 at Calgary Hitmen 4 - Status
Sunday, December 2, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

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

1st Period
1, Calgary, Padakin 7 (Macek, Brassart), 13:27.
Penalties-Henry Cal (elbowing), 6:23; Sylvester Cal (tripping), 19:40.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Roach 7 (Macek, Jones), 2:00.
3, Kootenay, Montgomery 12 (Reinhart), 15:26 (PP).
Penalties-Simpson Ktn (major-fighting), 2:08; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 2:08; Sylvester Cal (interference), 2:27; Kosterman Cal (holding), 2:54; O'Connor Ktn (hooking), 6:03; served by Lang Cal (too many men), 8:01; Hurley Cal (boarding), 14:43; McPhee Ktn (hooking), 19:40.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Chase 4 (Brassart, Helgesen), 1:28 (PP).
5, Calgary, Chase 5 (Roach, Humphries), 10:01 (PP).
Penalties-Dirk Ktn (roughing), 9:15; Rask Cal (interference), 13:34; Samoridny Cal (delay of game), 15:01; Dirk Ktn (major-fighting), 19:04; Hurley Cal (major-fighting), 19:04.

Shots on Goal-Kootenay 9-7-3-19. Calgary 10-13-6-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Kootenay 1 / 8; Calgary 2 / 3.
Goalies-Kootenay, Skapski 8-11-0-0 (29 shots-25 saves). Calgary, Driedger 15-4-1-1 (19 shots-18 saves).
A-16,912
Referees-Kevin Bennett (29), Devin Klein (9).
Linesmen-Jared Mackey (52), Scott Sharun (103).

Kootenay at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen host the Kootenay Ice at 2 o'clock this afternoon in the 18th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan begins at 1pm with a 60 minute pre-game show.  Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early and are asked to bring a new small or medium sized stuff toy to toss on the ice when the Hitmen score their first goal.  This year more than 25-thousand teddy bears have been requested by over 50 local egencies including the Alberta Children's Hospital, Boys and Girls Club of Calgary, YWCA, Red Cross, Salvation Army and Calgary Food Bank.  Tickets are still available at all Ticketmaster locations and the Scotiabank Saddledome box office for as low as $10 for adults and $5 for children (plus GST and SFPFF).  You can also order online at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 1-855-985-5000.

COMING IN:  The Hitmen last played on Friday night dropping a 4-0 home ice decision to Saskatoon.  Kootenay is coming off Friday's 2-0 loss in Edmonton.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary is 17-6-1-2 sitting third in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 37 points.  Kootenay is 8-16-1-0, last in the 12 team Eastern Conference with 17 points.

HEAD TO HEAD:  Today is the third of eight regular season meetings.  Calgary won the first on September 22nd in Calgary by a score of 5-1.  Zane Jones scored twice to lead the Hitmen scoring attack.  Kootenay then took the second meeting, posting a 4-0 win in Calgary on Novemer 12th.  Mackenzie Skapski made 17 saves to pick up the shutout while Brock Montgomery scored a natural hat trick.

THE SCHEDULE:  Today marks the start of a home-and-home between the Hitmen and Ice with the return contest in Cranbrook on Tuesday night.

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary is 8-5-1-1 on home ice while Kootenay is 2-7-0-0 on the road.

DIVERSE ATTACK:  In Calgary's last nine wins the game winning goal has been scored by nine different players.

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 11g 17a 28pts
Cody Sylvester 16g 8a 24pts
Brady Brassart 7g 14a 21pts

Kootenay
Sam Reinhart 9g 15a 24pts
Jaeden Descheneau 4g 15a 19pts
Brock Montgomery 11g 6a 17pts

Saskatoon 4 Calgary 0

Saskatoon played a hard working road game while Calgary appeared a little rusty after a week off as the Blades blanked the Hitmen 4-0 Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Matt Revel, a 16-year-old rookie and a former linemate of Hitmen forward Jake Virtanen, scored twice for Saskatoon while Josh Nicholls and Brendan Walker added singles.

Andrey Makarov made 25 saves, including a dazzling cross crease stop off Hitmen forward Zane Jones, to pick-up his second shutout of the season.

The Saskatoon penalty kill also played a major role as the Hitmen went 0-7 on the powerplay.

Friday also marked only the second time Calgary has been shutout this season.  The first also happened at home by the same 4-0 score at the hands of the Kootenay Ice.

Saskatoon Blades 4 at Calgary Hitmen 0
Friday, November 30, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Saskatoon 2 2 0 - 4
Calgary 0 0 0 - 0

1st Period
1, Saskatoon, Revel 3 (Stransky, Walker), 12:08.
2, Saskatoon, Nicholls 19 (McColgan), 12:54.
Penalties-Chase Cal (checking from behind), 1:19; Stransky Sas (tripping), 6:43; Stransky Sas (high sticking), 17:57.

2nd Period
3, Saskatoon, Walker 7 (McColgan, Revel), 18:30.
4, Saskatoon, Revel 4 (Walker, Stransky), 19:50.
Penalties-Sutter Sas (tripping), 6:38; Walker Sas (tripping), 10:57; Brassart Cal (10-minute misconduct), 11:42.

3rd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Macek Cal (tripping), 6:32; Dietz Sas (interference), 7:01; Walker Sas (tripping), 7:35; Chase Cal (tripping), 10:54; Pufahl Sas (high sticking), 13:34; Chase Cal (slashing), 17:34; Walker Sas (interference), 18:07; Thrower Cal (hooking), 18:36; Henry Cal (slashing, slashing), 19:43; Kambeitz Sas (roughing, roughing), 19:59; Hurley Cal (roughing), 19:59; Roach Cal (slashing), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 8-16-14-38. Calgary 9-7-9-25.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 0 / 5; Calgary 0 / 7.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Makarov 13-12-0-1 (25 shots-25 saves). Calgary, Driedger 14-4-1-1 (38 shots-34 saves).
A-7,717
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Colin Watt (72).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Aidan Henderson (78).

Saskatoon at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen play game three of a four game home stand tonight against the Saskatoon Blades.  Game time is 7pm at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Husky Hitmen Hockey on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 6pm with a one hour pre-game show.

COMING IN:  Calgary is riding a four game winning streak and have won eight of their last nine overall.  The Hitmen haven't played since last Friday's 4-1 home ice win over Medicine Hat.  After a 2-7 start to the regular season Saskatoon is 10-5-0-1 in their last 16 games.  The Blades last played on Tuesday posting a 5-3 home ice win over Lethbridge.

THE STANDINGS:  The Hitmen are tied with Edmonton for top spot in the Central Division with 37 points, but both clubs are only one point behind the Eastern Conference leading Prince Albert Raiders.  Calgary has one game in hand on the Oil Kings and three games in hand on the Raiders.  Saskatoon meanwhile is tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference with Regina at 25 points.

OPPOSITE SCHEDULES:  Including tonight, the Hitmen will have played seven of their last eight games at home while the Blades will have played nine of their last 12 games on the road.

STREAKIN':  Spencer Humphries (2a) and Zane Jones (2a) both have points in back-to-back games.  Chris Driedger is 8-0 in his last eight starts with a 1.61 goals against average and .942 save percentage.

BLADES WORKHORSE:  Saskatoon goalie Andrey Makarov has played in all 25 Blades games this season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:  Tonight is the first of four regular season meetings between the Hitmen and Blades.  Over the last five season Calgary is 6-10-0-0 against Saskatoon including a 3-5 mark at the Saddledome.

DRAFTED BLADES:
- Duncan Siemens - Colorado Avalanche - Drafted 11th overall (1st RD) in 2011
- Lukas Sutter - Winnipeg Jets - Drafted 39th overall (2nd RD) in 2012
- Dalton Thrower - Montreal Canadiens - Drafted 51st overall (2nd RD) in 2012
- Shane McColgan - New York Rangers - Drafted 134th overall (5th RD) in 2011
- Darren Dietz - Montreal Canadiens - Drafted 138th overall (5th RD) in 2011
- Matej Stransky - Dallas Stars - Drafted 165th overall (6th RD) in 2011

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 11g 17a 28pts
Cody Sylvester 16g 8a 24pts
Brady Brassart 7g 14a 21pts

Saskatoon
Josh Nicholls 18g 11a 29pts
Matej Stransky 11g 13a 24pts
Shane McColgan 6g 17a 23pts

Calgary 4 Medicine Hat 1

Cody Sylvester scored twice and set up another as the Calgary Hitmen extended their winning streak to four games with a 4-1 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Eastern Conference leading Hitmen have now won eight of their last nine games.

Victor Rask, with his first goal since returning from the American Hockey League, and Pavlo Padakin also scored for Calgary who avenged and earlier 10-1 home ice loss to the Tigers.

The Hitmen (17-5-1-2) are now idle until Friday night when they welcome the MasterCard Memorial Cup host Saskatoon Blades.  Game time is 7:00pm. 

Then on Sunday, December 2nd its the annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss as Calgary welcomes Kootenay for a 2pm start.  Fans are asked to bring a stuff toyed to the game and toss it on the ice when the Hitmen score their first goal.  There's an unbelievable deal on this level seated for that game.  Adults $10 Kids $5.  Over 50 Southern Alberta Charities will share the teddy bears collected that day.

Medicine Hat Tigers 1 at Calgary Hitmen 4
Friday, November 23, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Medicine Hat 0 0 1 - 1
Calgary 1 3 0 - 4

1st Period
1, Calgary, Rask 1 (Sylvester, Macek), 19:20 (PP).
Penalties-Rask Cal (checking from behind), 1:27; Bredo M.h (slashing), 11:23; Becker M.h (holding), 18:50.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Sylvester 15 (Helgesen), 5:19 (SH).
3, Calgary, Sylvester 16 (Humphries, Rask), 14:07 (PP).
4, Calgary, Padakin 6 (Brassart, Jones), 16:02.
Penalties-Lang Cal (closing hand on puck), 5:10; Jensen M.h (hooking), 13:16; Doty M.h (major-fighting), 16:20; Humphries Cal (major-fighting), 16:20; Butcher M.h (slashing), 17:07; Padakin Cal (inter. on goaltender), 19:17; Virtanen Cal (roughing), 20:00.

3rd Period
5, Medicine Hat, Pearce 9 (Busenius), 0:31 (PP).
Penalties-Broadhead M.h (tripping), 3:18; Jones Cal (interference), 11:46; Labelle M.h (cross checking), 18:10; Chase Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 18:58; Koules M.h (hooking), 19:23.

Shots on Goal-Medicine Hat 4-13-8-25. Calgary 13-10-5-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Medicine Hat 1 / 4; Calgary 2 / 7.
Goalies-Medicine Hat, Langhamer 4-6-1-0 (20 shots-17 saves); Lanigan 9-6-0-0 (8 shots-7 saves). Calgary, Driedger 14-3-1-1 (25 shots-24 saves).
A-8,808
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Justin Slimm (105), Scott Sharun (103).

Calgary 3 Lethbridge 2

Jake Virtanen scored the game winning goal with 27 second left lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 3-2 victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The win completed a home-and-home sweep of the Hurricanes for Calgary who picked up their third consecutive triumph.

Jaynen Rissling and Alex Roach also scored for Calgary.

Lethbridge Hurricanes 2 at Calgary Hitmen 3
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Lethbridge 0 1 1 - 2
Calgary 0 2 1 - 3

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (tripping), 1:09; Duke Let (interference), 6:09; served by Calladine Cal (too many men), 7:21; Jones Cal (boarding), 15:46.

2nd Period
1, Calgary, Rissling 3 (Roach, Jones), 7:18 (PP).
2, Lethbridge, Blomqvist 2 (Duke, Johnston), 11:09.
3, Calgary, Roach 6   15:56.
Penalties-Erkamps Let (major-fighting), 6:16; Ramsay Let (roughing, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 6:16; Harmsworth Cal (roughing), 6:16; Padakin Cal (major-fighting), 6:16; Brassart Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 12:57; Harper Let (kneeing, major-fighting), 15:16; Helgesen Cal (instigator, major-fighting, 10-minute misconduct), 15:16; Roach Cal (boarding), 19:42.

3rd Period
4, Lethbridge, Wong 1 (Maxwell, Topping), 15:05 (PP).
5, Calgary, Virtanen 5 (Rissling, Humphries), 19:33.
Penalties-Samoridny Cal (hooking), 2:24; Padakin Cal (interference), 13:41.

Shots on Goal-Lethbridge 7-6-3-16. Calgary 16-13-20-49.
Power Play Opportunities-Lethbridge 1 / 7; Calgary 1 / 2.
Goalies-Lethbridge, Rimmer 13-11-1-2 (49 shots-46 saves). Calgary, Driedger 14-3-1-1 (16 shots-14 saves).
A-7,070
Referees-Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Michael Roberts (87).

Calgary 3 Lethbridge 2

The Calgary Hitmen opened a home and home series with the Hurricanes in Lethbridge Tuesday night by posting a 3-2 win.

Outplayed most of the night, the Hitmen road the hot goaltending of Chris Driedger to victory.  The Ottawa Senators third round pick in 2012 made a season high 42 saves.

Calgary never trailed building leads of 1-0 and 3-1 on goals from Greg Chase, Alex Roach and Carson Samoridny. 

The Hitmen penalty killing brigade also played a key role killing seven of eight short handed situations.

The win moves Calgary into top spot in the WHL's Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Prince Albert.

                                              Photo Credit:  Lethbridge Hurricanes

Calgary Hitmen 3 at Lethbridge Hurricanes 2
Tuesday, November 20, 2012 - Enmax Centre - Lethbridge, AB

Calgary 1 1 1 - 3
Lethbridge 0 1 1 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Chase 3 (Rissling, Brassart), 18:53.
Penalties-Padakin Cal (checking from behind), 7:50; Ramsay Let (interference), 7:53; Brassart Cal (hooking), 12:42; Roach Cal (delay of game), 15:23.

2nd Period
2, Lethbridge, Merkley 12   1:24.
3, Calgary, Roach 5 (Rask), 11:41.
Penalties-Chase Cal (roughing), 3:29; Roach Cal (interference), 5:47; Brassart Cal (tripping), 12:59; Virtanen Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 19:07; Blomqvist Let (holding), 19:07.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Samoridny 4 (Peterson, Hurley), 1:47.
5, Lethbridge, Pilon 3 (Maxwell, Erkamps), 6:11 (PP).
Penalties-Roach Cal (cross checking), 5:51; Ramsay Let (tripping), 7:32; Harper Let (slashing), 13:39; Macek Cal (tripping), 14:34.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 6-4-10-20. Lethbridge 17-17-10-44.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 3; Lethbridge 1 / 8.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 12-3-1-1 (44 shots-42 saves). Lethbridge, Rimmer 13-10-1-1 (20 shots-17 saves).
A-3,451
Referees-Clayton Hall (42), Brett Montsion (54).
Linesmen-Aidan Henderson (78), Matt Schoenroth (21).

Calgary at Lethbridge

The Calgary Hitmen open a home-and-home series with the Hurricanes tonight in Lethbridge.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan begins at 6pm with a one hour pre-game show.

THE STANDINGS:  The Hitmen (14-5-1-2), winners of six of their last seven, sit first in the WHL's Central Division with 31 points, just a single point back of the Eastern Conference leading Prince Albert Raiders.  The Hurricanes (13-10-1-1) are fourth in the conference with 28 points, two points back of third place Edmonton.  After going seven games without a regulation loss, Lethbridge has dropped three of their last four.

COMING IN:  Both teams last played on Sunday.  Calgary was a 4-2 winner over visiting Swift Current while Lethbridge fell 5-3 on home ice to Brandon.

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary has the WHL's best winning percentage on the road this season with an 8-1-0-1 mark while Lethbridge has an Eastern Conference best nine wins on home ice, going 9-5-1-1 in their first 16 games at Enmax Centre. 

RECENT HISTORY:  Tonight is the first of six regulation season meetings between the two clubs.  They meet again tomorrow night at Scotiabank Saddledome in the back half of this home-and-home.  Game time is 7:00 p.m.  Over the last five seasons Calgary is 15-7-2-0 against the Hurricanes including a 7-3-2-0 record in Lethbridge.

STREAKIN':  In his last five starts Hitmen goalie Chris Driedger is 5-0 with a 1.57 goals against average and a .943 save percentage.  For Lethbridge, Daniel Johnston (1g 4a) and Jamal Watson (1g 2a) are both riding three game point streaks.

DID YOU KNOW?  Lethbridge has had the second most powerplay chances this season in the WHL at 114, that compares to 88 for the Hitmen...Hurricanes defenceman Daniel Johnston is tied for 7th in D-men scoring with 18 points while Hitmen Alex Roach is tied for 15th with 15 points....Hurricanes goalie Ty Rimmer is a workhorse having appeared in 24 of the teams 25 games this season.  He leads the WHL in saves with 753, averaging 31.4 per game. 

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 11g 16a 27pts
Cody Sylvester 14g 7a 21pts
Brady Brassart 7g 12a 19pts

Lethbridge
Russell Maxwell 14g 9a 23pts
Brady Ramsay 6g 12a 18pts
Daniel Johnston 6g 12a 18pts

Calgary 4 Swift Current 2

Pavlo Padakin scored twice, including once into an empty net, lifting the Calgary Hitmen to a 4-2 home ice win over the Swift Current Broncos Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Peter Kosterman netted the game winner for the Hitmen breaking a 2-2 third period tie with 7:17 remaining.

The victory wraps up a successful four game home stand for Calgary which saw the club post a 3-1 record.  It also moves them back into first place in the WHL's Central Division, one point ahead of Edmonton and just a single point behind the Eastern Conference leading Prince Albert Raiders.

The Hitmen return to action Tuesday night when they open a home and home series with the Hurricanes in Lethbridge.

                                               Photo Credit:  Brad Watson

Swift Current Broncos 2 at Calgary Hitmen 4
Sunday, November 18, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Swift Current 0 0 2 - 2
Calgary 1 0 3 - 4

1st Period
1, Calgary, Sylvester 14 (Chase, Brassart), 12:55.
Penalties-Lowry S.c (major-fighting), 18:39; Humphries Cal (major-fighting), 18:39.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Heatherington S.c (cross checking), 1:30; Bews S.c (ob-tripping), 7:34; Hurley Cal (roughing), 10:30; Lund S.c (major-fighting), 12:58; Thrower Cal (major-fighting), 12:58; served by Chase Cal (too many men), 14:30.

3rd Period
2, Calgary, Padakin 4 (Samoridny), 4:51 (SH).
3, Swift Current, Black 11 (Bews, Martin), 5:30 (PP).
4, Swift Current, Black 12   10:43.
5, Calgary, Kosterman 2 (Rask, Macek), 12:43.
6, Calgary, Padakin 5 (Virtanen), 19:30 (EN).
Penalties-Helgesen Cal (tripping), 4:01; Nedomlel S.c (major-fighting), 10:52; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 10:52; Reum S.c (major-fighting), 11:26; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 11:26; Derko S.c (10-minute misconduct), 19:50.

Shots on Goal-Swift Current 4-10-9-23. Calgary 9-11-12-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Swift Current 1 / 3; Calgary 0 / 2.
Goalies-Swift Current, Laurikainen 9-10-2-2 (31 shots-28 saves). Calgary, Driedger 11-3-1-1 (23 shots-21 saves).
A-8,869
Referees-Shaun Harris (43), Reagan Vetter (39).
Linesmen-Jared Mackey (52), Ian Shaver (74).

Swift Current at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen play their first Sunday 2pm matinee of the season this afternoon as they welcome the Swift Current Broncos to Scotiabank Saddledome.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 2 o'clock.

The Hitmen (13-5-0-1) sit third in the WHL's Eastern Conference with 29 points, while the Broncos (9-10-3-2) are tied tied for fifth with Medicine Hat at 23 points.

Today is the first of four regular season meetings between the two.  Over the last five seasons Calgary is 13-3 against Swift Current including a 6-2 mark at the 'Dome.

COMING IN:  The Hitmen had their season high five game winning streak halted on Monday in a 4-0 home ice loss to Kootenay.  They've had five full days of rest since then.  The Broncos had their two game winning streak snapped night night, falling 2-1 in Red Deer.

ROSTER MOVES:  The Hitmen made a pair of roster moves this week.  They added 19-year-old forward Victor Rask, who returns to the club after starting the season in the American Hockey League with the Charlotte Checkers.  In addition they traded 19-year-old forward Joey Kornelsen to the Kamloops Blazers for a fifth round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 11g 15a 26pts
Cody Sylvester 13g 7a 20pts
Brady Brassart 7g 11a 18pts

Swift Current
Adam Lowry 10g 16a 26pts
Coda Gordon 6g 16a 24pts
Graham Black 10g 7a 17pts

HITMEN NHL PROSPECTS: 
Chris Driedger (Ottawa 2012);
Kenton Helgesen (Anaheim 2012);
Jaynen Rissling (Washington 2012);
Alex Roach (Three-year, Entry-level Contract, Los Angeles 2011);
Victor Rask (Three-year, Entry-level Contract, Carolina 2011).

DRAFTED BRONCOS:
Graham Black - 5th round (135th overall) - New Jersey Devils - 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Coda Gordon - 6th round (165th overall) - Calgary Flames - 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Adam Lowry - 3rd round (67th overall) - Winnipeg Jets - 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Reece Scarlett - 6th round (159th overall) - New Jersey Devils - 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Richard Nedomlel - 6th round (175th overall) - Detroit Red Wings - 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Hitmen Town Hall Tonight

For the first time ever, the Calgary Hitmen are holding a Town Hall tonight at Scotiabank Saddledome.

By invite only, a limited number of seats were reserved for Hitmen season ticket holders.

Hitmen General Manger Kelly Kisio will be in attendance answering questions along with Head Coach Mike Williamson and players Greg Chase, Chris Driedger and Victor Rask.

The Town Hall, happening in the newly renovated Saddleroom Grill, will be broadcast live on Sportsnet 960 The Fan from 6-7pm.

If you have a question you'd like answered you can send me a tweet via @BCurle_Hitmen

Two Hitmen named to Team Pacific

Hockey Alberta and BC Hockey announced today the 22-player roster that will represent Team Pacific at the 2013 World Junior Under 17 Hockey Challenge, December 29, 2012 to January 4, 2013 in Victoriaville/Drummondville, Quebec.

Team Pacific is comprised of 11 players from BC and 11 players from Alberta. 

Hockey Alberta and BC Hockey each identified 34 U17 male athletes (4 G, 12 D, 18 F) from their respective provincial evaluation camps to participate in the joint regional camp in July, 2012.  From the regional camp, these players were evaluated during the first part of their club’s team season by the Team Pacific evaluators.

Eighteen of the 22 players selected to Team Pacific currently play in the Western Hockey League, including Jake Virtanen and Josh Thrower of the Calgary Hitmen.

Virtanen, a 16-year-old forward from Abbotsford, BC, has four goals in 18 games with the Hitmen this season while Thrower, a 16-year-old defenceman from Squamish, BC, has three points (1g 2a) in 13 games.

For the complete Team Pacific roster Click Here

History of Hitmen at World Under-17 Hockey Challenge          
         
2011/12 Windsor, ON Pacific Greg Chase 5gp 1g 5a 6pts 8pim
2010/11 Winnipeg/Portage La Prairie, MB Pacific Rob Trzonkowski 5gp 3g 0a 3pts 27pim 
2010/11 Winnipeg/Portage La Prairie, MB Pacific Chase Clayton 6gp 0g 1a 1pts 0pim 
2010/11 Winnipeg/Portage La Prairie, MB Pacific Keaton Lubin 4gp 0g 0a 0pts 4pim 
2008/09 Port Alberni, BC Pacific Austin Madaisky 6gp 0g 2a 2pts 14pim 
2007/08 London, ON Pacific Chase Schaber 6gp 4g 3a 7pts 10pim 
2007/08 London, ON Pacific Matt MacKenzie 4gp 0g 2a 2pts 6pim 
2005/06 Regina, SK Pacific Brett Sonne 6gp 2g 1a 3pts 4pim 
2005/06 Regina, SK Western Alex Plante 5gp 0g 2a 2pts 6pim 
2004/05 Lethbridge, AB Pacific Karl Alzner 6gp 0g 1a 1pts 4pim 
2004/05 Lethbridge, AB Pacific Daniel Spence 0-1 7.77GAA
2004/05 Lethbridge, AB Western Ryan White 6gp 2g 9a 11pts 6pim 
2004/05 Lethbridge, AB Western Keegan Dansereau 6gp 0g 3a 3pts 17pim 
2003/04 St. John's, NL Pacific Dustin Kohn 6gp 1g 4a 5pts 10pim 
2003/04 St. John's, NL Western Brodie Dupont 5gp 1g 3a 4pts 4pim 
2001/02 Selkirk/Stonewall,MB Western Ryan Getzlaf 5gp 2g 6a 8pts 10pim 
2001/02 Selkirk/Stonewall,MB Western Kyle Annesley 5gp 2g 3a 5pts 6pim 
2001/02 Selkirk/Stonewall,MB Western Paul Albers 5gp 0g 4a 4pts 6pim 
2000/01 Truro, NS Pacific Johnny Boychuk 4gp 1g 2a 3pts 0pim 
1999/00 Timmons, ON West  Owen Fussey 5gp 0g 1a 1pts 2pim 

Rask returns to the Hitmen from the AHL

A huge boost to the Calgary Hitmen this week.  The American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers sent 19-year-old Victor Rask back to the Hitmen.  Rask scored 33 goals for the Hitmen last season in his rookie campaign and will return to Calgary as the number one centre. 

In 10 games with the Checkers this season, the Carolina Hurricanes second round pick had 5 points (1g 4a) and was a plus seven. 

“We’re just trying to do what we think is best for Victor,” said Checkers Head Coach Jeff Daniels on gocheckers.com. “We want him to be able to get as much ice time as possible in all situations that he might not have gotten here. He needs to be playing at the end of games, taking key faceoffs and being in more of a leadership role.”

Rask was Calgary's first round pick, 3rd overall, in the CHL Import Draft.  He'll be in the line-up Sunday when the Hitmen host the Swift Current Broncos.  Game time is 2pm at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Hitmen General Manager Kelly Kisio joined the guys on Sportsnet 960 The Fan this morning to talk about the return of Rask and offer his general thoughts on the Hitmen season thus far.

Click here to listen

Kootenay 4 Calgary 0

The Kootenay Ice snapped an eight game winless streak and in the process halted a season high five game winning streak for the Calgary Hitmen with a 4-0 victory Monday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Ice forward Brock Montgomery scored his first career hat trick for the visitors who opened the scoring just 21 seconds in.

Mackenzie Skapski made 17 saves to record his second career shutout.

It's the first time this season the Hitmen have been shutout. 

Calgary, now 13-5-1-2, will enjoy nearly a week off before hosting the Swift Current Broncos Sunday at the 'Dome.

Kootenay Ice 4 at Calgary Hitmen 0
Monday, November 12, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

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

1st Period
1, Kootenay, Montgomery 9 (Leach, Reinhart), 0:21.
2, Kootenay, Montgomery 10 (Reinhart, Descheneau), 13:20 (PP).
Penalties-Reinhart Ktn (tripping), 0:44; Humphries Cal (checking to the head), 12:26.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Jones Cal (cross checking), 2:18; Martin Ktn (tripping), 4:27; Wand Ktn (major-fighting), 7:31; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 7:31; Simpson Ktn (major-fighting), 9:13; Humphries Cal (major-fighting), 9:13; Leach Ktn (slashing), 9:36; Henry Cal (slashing), 11:03; Brassart Cal (hooking), 13:26; Dirk Ktn (holding), 14:25; Martin Ktn (hooking), 19:48.

3rd Period
3, Kootenay, Montgomery 11 (McPhee, Reinhart), 6:46 (PP).
4, Kootenay, McPhee 2 (Descheneau), 17:32 (EN).
Penalties-Hurley Cal (slashing), 1:47; Clayton Cal (slashing), 5:42; Padakin Cal (hooking), 6:02; Faith Ktn (interference), 9:36; Clayton Cal (roughing), 12:11; Muth Ktn (roughing, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 20:00; Henry Cal (roughing, unsportsmanlike cnd.), 20:00.

Shots on Goal-Kootenay 7-11-13-31. Calgary 8-3-6-17.
Power Play Opportunities-Kootenay 2 / 8; Calgary 0 / 6.
Goalies-Kootenay, Skapski 5-7-0-0 (17 shots-17 saves). Calgary, Shields 3-2-0-1 (30 shots-27 saves).
A-6,614
Referees-Adam Byblow (23), Clayton Hall (42).
Linesmen-Michael Roberts (87), Aidan Henderson (78).

Kootenay at Calgary

In a game originally scheduled for Sunday, the Calgary Hitmen (13-4-1-2) host the Kootenay Ice (4-12-1-0) tonight at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Game time is 7pm.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 6pm with a one hour pre-game show.  Tonight the Hitmen will honour Hometown Heroes.  Past and present members of the military as well as all police, fire and EMS service members will receive complimentary admission to the game by presenting their identification card at the Scotiabank Saddledome box office.

HEADING IN:  The Hitmen are riding a season high five game winning streak and are coming off Friday's 5-2 home ice win over Victoria.  The Ice are winless in eight (0-7-1-0) having last played Saturday night dropping a 4-1 decision to Moose Jaw in Cranbrook.

THE STANDINGS:  Calgary shares top spot in the WHL's Eastern Conference with the Edmonton Oil Kings.  Both teams have 29 points, but the Hitmen have one game in hand.  Kootenay is last in the conference with nine points, sitting 13 back of the Red Deer Rebels for the final playoff spot.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:  Tonight is the second of eight regular season meetings between the two clubs.  Calgary won the opener 5-1 at home on September 22nd.  Zane Jones scored twice while Darian Henry, Cody Sylvester and Brooks Macek all had a goal and an assist.  The Hitmen outshot the Ice 31-28.  Over the last five seasons Calgary is 15-17-1-0 against Kootenay, including a 10-7 record on home ice.

STREAKIN':  Brady Brassart (1g 3a), Brendan Hurley (1g 1a) and Kenton Helgesen (2a) all have points in back-to-back games.  In his last four starts Chris Driedger is 4-0 with a 1.50 goals against average and a .949 save percentage.

FORMER CLUB:  19-year-old forward Brendan Hurley, who has four points (3g 1a) in eight games since joining the Hitmen this season, faces a team he spent parts of four seasons with.  Hurley played a total of 150 regular season games with the Kootenay Ice (2008-09 to 2011-12) collecting 21 points (10g 11a).  He also won the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2011 with the WHL Champion Ice.

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 11g 15a 26pts
Cody Sylvester 13g 7a 20pts
Brady Brassart 7g 11a 18pts

Kootenay
Sam Reinhart 5g 9a 14pts
Brock Montgomery 8g 4a 12pts
Jaedon Descheneau 3g 8a 11pts

Calgary 5 Victoria 2

Alex Roach (2g 1a) and Brady Brassart (1g 2a) both had three point games as the Calgary Hitmen beat the Victoria Royals 5-2 Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Hitmen entered play without their top two scorers in Brooks Macek (illness) and Cody Sylvester (upper-body injury day-to-day) but also welcomed Brassart back into the fold after missing his last seven games due to injury.

After a scorless first period the Hitmen built a 2-1 second period lead on Elliott Peterson's first goal in the Western Hockey League.

The third period was all Calgary en-route to their fifth straight win, and second in as many tries on home ice.

Victoria Royals 2 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Friday, November 9, 2012 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

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

1st Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Kornelsen Cal (closing hand on puck), 1:40; Traber Vic (checking from behind), 4:27; Zgraggen Vic (delay of game), 5:08; Nelson Vic (ob-tripping), 11:26; Hodges Vic (roughing), 18:02; Calladine Cal (roughing), 18:02.

2nd Period
1, Calgary, Padakin 3 (Henry, Helgesen), 1:15.
2, Victoria, Stahl 1 (Gogolev), 13:14 (PP).
3, Calgary, Peterson 1 (Roach), 19:52.
Penalties-Traber Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 2:14; Roach Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 2:14; Magee Vic (roughing), 9:45; Chase Cal (slashing), 12:30; Kosterman Cal (hooking), 13:28; Kanzig Vic (major-fighting), 19:22; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 19:22.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Brassart 7 (Hurley, Humphries), 2:40.
5, Calgary, Roach 3 (Humphries, Brassart), 6:27 (PP).
6, Calgary, Roach 4 (Brassart, Peterson), 12:43 (PP).
7, Victoria, Hodges 5 (Fisher), 19:58 (SH).
Penalties-Fisher Vic (cross checking), 5:58; Traber Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 6:27; Padakin Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 6:27; Kosterman Cal (tripping), 7:56; Cote Vic (roughing), 11:03; Hicketts Vic (roughing), 11:54; Stahl Vic (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:54; Samoridny Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:54; Crooks Vic (10-minute misconduct), 12:43; Fransoo Vic (roughing, roughing), 15:58; Virtanen Cal (roughing, roughing), 15:58; Calladine Cal (roughing), 16:10; Carroll Vic (major-fighting), 16:54; Henry Cal (major-fighting), 16:54; Stahl Vic (roughing), 18:02.

Shots on Goal-Victoria 8-10-11-29. Calgary 11-6-9-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Victoria 1 / 5; Calgary 2 / 8.
Goalies-Victoria, Vollrath 1-3-0-0 (26 shots-21 saves). Calgary, Driedger 10-3-1-1 (29 shots-27 saves).
A-8,179
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Scott Sharun (103).

Victoria at Calgary

The Calgary Hitrmen (12-4-1-2) play game two of a four game home stand tonight as they welcome the Victoria Royals (9-9-0-0) to Scotiabank Saddledome.  Game time is 7:00 p.m.  Husky Hitmen Hockey on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 6pm with a one hour pre-game show.

It's a meeting between two teams going in oppostite directions of late.  Calgary has won four in a row, while Victoria is riding a five game losing streak.  However the Royals have won their only meeting this season, posting a 3-1 home ice win on Vancouver Island back on October 18th.  Former Hitmen Alex Gogolev scored twice for Victoria who outshot Calgary 29-21.

STANDINGS:  Calgary leads the WHL's Eastern Conference with 27 points.  Victoria is sixth in the Western Conference with 18 points.

HOME AND AWAY:  Calgary is 4-3-1-1 while Victoria is 3-7-0-0 on the road.

SPECIAL TEAMS:  Calgary has the 8th ranked powerplay in the WHL at 22.2%.  The penalty kill has killed 22 straight opposition chances to imrpove to a tie for 10th at 78.9%  Victoria has the 14th ranked powerplay at 18.3% while the Royals penalty kill is ninth at 79.7%

TOP SCORERS:
Calgary
Brooks Macek 11g 15a 26pts
Cody Sylvester 13g 20pts
Brady Brassart 6g 9a 15pts

Victoria
Alex Gogolev 8g 13a 21pts
Logan Nelson 3g 13a 16pts
Brandon Magee 9g 4a 13pts