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