Game 6 Preview: Oil Kings at Hitmen

The Calgary Hitmen face elimination today for the first time in the 2013 WHL Playoffs as they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 4 o'clock this afternoon in Scotiabank Saddledome.  Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan begins at 3pm with a 60 minute pre-game show.

The Oil Kings lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final 3-2 and can book their second ticket to the WHL Championship Series in as many years with a victory today.  The Hitmen are hoping to push the series back to the provincial capital for Game 7 on Tuesday night.

Here are some numbers to ponder heading into Game 6:

-The Hitmen are 7-1 on home ice during the 2013 post season, including a 1-1 mark against Edmonton.

-Edmonton has so far out scored the Hitmen 22-12 in the series while out shooting Calgary by a combined 198-125.

-Through five games both teams have combined for 61 powerplays.  Calgary is 5-25 (20%) with the extra attacker while Edmonton is 8-36 (22.2%).

-Martin Gernat (4g 3a) and Michael St. Croix (2g 5a) lead all Oil Kings with seven points in the series while Brooks Macek (2g 2a) tops the Hitmen with four.

- The Oil Kings have owned the first period in the series outscoring Calgary by a combined 10-2 in the opening 20 minutes.

                                        Photo Credit: Brad Watson - Calgary Hitmen