Monday 31 December 2012

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

Sunday 30 December 2012

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).

Tuesday 18 December 2012

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.

Sunday 16 December 2012

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


Saturday 15 December 2012

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

Thursday 13 December 2012

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).

Wednesday 12 December 2012

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).

Tuesday 11 December 2012

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).

Saturday 8 December 2012

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).

Thursday 6 December 2012

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).

Monday 3 December 2012

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).

Sunday 2 December 2012

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).