Tuesday 29 November 2011

Huge demand for Teddy Bears on Sunday

The Calgary Hitmen will host the Medicine Hat Tigers this Sunday (December 4th) in the 17th annual Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss.  Game time is 4:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Fans are asked to bring a stuffed toy to the game and toss it on the ice when the Hitmen score their first goal.  The bears will then be distributed to local charities in time for the holiday season.  So far there's been a request for 25,000 stuffed toys.  The game is NOT sold out and there are lots of great seats available. 

I spoke to Hitmen Coordindator of Marketing and Community Programs Derald Fretts about the demand and the day itself.

You can listen here.

               L to R Cody Sylvester, Michael Stone and Kyle Aschim from December 2009

Monday 28 November 2011

One-on-One with Cody Sylvester

The Calgary Hitmen are back from an East Division road trip that saw the club go 4-0 while outscoring their opponents by a combined 25-9.  I caught up with the captain, Cody Sylvester to talk about the swing.

Click here to listen


Saturday 26 November 2011

Calgary 8 Prince Albert 2

Prince Albert, SK – The Calgary Hitmen completed a four game sweep of their East Division road trip with an 8-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders Saturday night at the Art Hauser Centre.

Brady Brassart (2g 1a) and Spencer Humphries (1g 2a) both had three points each to lead the scoring attack. 

Brooks Macek, Trevor Cheek, Danny Gayle, Jaynen Rissling and Kenton Helgesen also scored for Calgary.

Gayle’s goal extended his career high point scoring streak to eight games, while Helgesen’s marker was his first goal in the Western Hockey League. 

Chris Driedger made 25 saves in the Hitmen net including 14 in the first period when Prince Albert outshot Calgary 15-5 but headed to the dressing room after twenty minutes in a 1-1 tie.

The Hitmen blew the game open in the second period scoring three goals in a span of 3:01 to take a 4-1 lead.

Calgary, 14-10-1-1 on the season, will enjoy a full four day break before travelling to Edmonton on Thursday for their first meeting with the Oil Kings.

The Hitmen then return to Scotiabank Saddledome for a pair of games hosting Spokane on Friday, December 2nd in the Canada Safeway Ltd. Movember game and Medicine Hat on Sunday, December 4th in the Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss.  Friday is 7:00 pm start with a 4:00 pm puck drop on Sunday.
For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.


Calgary Hitmen 8 at Prince Albert Raiders 2
Saturday, November 26, 2011 - Art Hauser Centre - Prince Albert, SK

Calgary 1 3 4 - 8
Prince Albert 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Humphries 4 (Gogolev, Bubnick), 7:08.
2, Prince Albert, Tochkin 5 (Lange, McNeill), 16:38.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (interference), 11:50; Helgesen Cal (tripping), 15:59; Roach Cal (holding), 18:46.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Brassart 7 (Rask, Kosterman), 6:08.
4, Calgary, Macek 6   8:11.
5, Calgary, Cheek 8 (Humphries, Rissling), 9:09 (PP).
Penalties-Bubnick Cal (roughing), 8:42; Fiddler P.a (slashing), 8:42; Yaworski P.a (roughing), 8:42; Brooks Cal (slashing), 11:17; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 11:17; Hlinka P.a (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 11:17; Lange P.a (major-fighting), 11:17.

3rd Period
6, Calgary, Gayle 7 (Brassart, Sutherland), 4:51.
7, Calgary, Brassart 8 (Rask, Humphries), 5:40 (PP).
8, Prince Albert, Vanscourt 7 (Knutsen, Morrissey), 13:05 (PP).
9, Calgary, Rissling 2 (Chase)   17:36.
10, Calgary, Helgesen 1 (Bowman, Brooks), 18:39 (PP).
Penalties-Winther P.a (cross checking), 4:54; Roach Cal (major-fighting, game misconduct), 6:45; Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 6:45; Maylan P.a (slashing, major-fighting, game misconduct), 6:45; Yaworski P.a (major-fighting), 6:45; Brassart Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 8:25; Morrissey P.a (cross checking), 8:25; served by Macek Cal (too many men), 9:33; Rissling Cal (slashing), 12:56; Yaworski P.a (holding), 13:27; Roach Cal (10-minute misconduct), 17:59; Bourhis P.a (10-minute misconduct), 17:59; Hart P.a (cross checking), 18:22.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 5-8-20-33. Prince Albert 15-7-5-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 3 / 5; Prince Albert 1 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 7-5-1-1 (27 shots-25 saves). Prince Albert, Williams 5-13-1-1 (23 shots-18 saves); Holowenko 1-7-0-0 (10 shots-7 saves).
A-2,399
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Curtis Howe (27).
Linesmen-Jason Roy (94), Bob Schrader (126).

One-On-One with Trevor Cheek

Ken Thrower and I had a chance to catch up with Hitmen forward Trevor Cheek today at the hotel in Prince Albert to talk everything from Hitmen hockey to football and twitter.

Click here to listen

Calgary at Prince Albert

The Calgary Hitmen (13-10-1-1) finish a four game East Division road trip tonight in Prince Albert against the Raiders (6-19-1-1).  The Hitmen have won all three games on the swing so far including a 6-2 win in Saskatoon last night handing the Blades their first home ice loss this season.  Jimmy Bubnick scored twice for Calgary while Joey Kornelsen, Brooks Macek, Spencer Humphries and Greg Chase added singles.  For Chase it was his first goal in the Western Hockey League.  Brandon Glover made 34 saves in the Hitmen net and was especially sharp in the first period when Saskatoon out shot Calgary 19-7 but headed to the dressing room after twenty minutes in a 1-1 tie.  The Hitmen blew the game open in the second period building a 4-1 lead thanks to a pair of powerplay goals.

VS. PRINCE ALBERT:  Tonight is the third of four meetings with the Raiders.  Calgary leads the season series 2-0.  Jimmy Bubnick (4g 1a) and Collin Bowman (3g 2a) both have five points each to lead the Hitmen against PA while Justin Maylan (1g 1a) and Kellan Tochkin (1g 1a) top the Raiders with two points each against Calgary.
-Nov. 2 in PA: Hitmen 5 Raiders 2.  Jimmy Bubnick scored a hat trick as Calgary overcame a 2-1 third period deficit.
- Nov. 19 in Cal: Hitmen 7 Raiders 1.  Calgary killed four straight first period Raider powerplays then got a hat trick from Collin Bowman.
                                                             INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CAL 70 PA 57.  Powerplays: CAL 2-7 (28.5%) PA 0-9 (0%).  Next Meeting: December 9th in Calgary

MUCH IMPROVED: After starting the season 1-4-0-1 the Hitmen have gone 12-6-1-0, including 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games.

ROAD RUN:  Calgary is 3-0 on their current East Division road trip posting wins in Brandon Tuesday (6-3), Moose Jaw Wednesday (5-2) and Saskatoon last night (6-2).  Overall the Hitmen have picked up at least a point in their last six games in enemy rinks posting a record of 5-0-1-0.

STREAKS:  Danny Gayle (3g 7a) is on a career high seven game point streak.  Jimmy Bubnick (6g 6a) and Cody Sylvester (5g 8a) are both on six game streaks while Trevor Cheek (2g 6a) and Brady Brassart (1g 5a) are riding  five game point streaks.  Brandon Glover has won his last six starts in net while posting a 2.00 GAA and .923 save percentage.

300 CLUB LOOMING:  Defenceman Collin Bowman has played 299 career regular season games in the WHL.  Bowman played his first game on February 20th, 2007 when he suited up for the Kelowna Rockets against the Chilliwack Bruins.

DID YOU KNOW:  The Hitmen are tied with Medicine Hat for the second most shorthanded goals scored in the WHL with seven.  Trevor Cheek and Joey Kornelsen both have two each to top Calgary.

HITMEN MO BROS: The Hitmen Movember Team sits first amongst CHL teams and second overall in the league’s Movember initiatives with over $8,632 raised to support the fight against prostate cancer.  Fans are encouraged to be part of the inaugural Hitmen Mo Bro challenge.  Visit http://www.hitmenhockey.com/ to view the Mo Bro bios, photo gallery and video clip.  Don’t miss your chance to decide which candidate will be the first to be inducted into the Hitmen Mo of Fame.

Hitmen Hockey Hour

The Hitmen Hockey Hour will not be heard at its regular time today from 1-2pm MST, instead it will air on Sportsnet 960 The Fan from 5 to 6pm leading up to puck drop between the Hitmen and Prince Albert Raiders. 

Friday 25 November 2011

Calgary 6 Saskatoon 2

Saskatoon, SK – Jimmy Bubnick scored twice as the Calgary Hitmen beat the Canadian Hockey League’s number four ranked Sasykatoon Blades 6-2 Friday night at Credit Union Centre.

The win was Calgary’s third straight on their current four game East Division road trip.

Joey Kornelsen, Brooks Macek, Spencer Humphries and Greg Chase also scored for Calgary who improves to 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games.

Calder Brooks and Cody Sylvester both had a pair of assists for Calgary while Danny Gayle had a helper to extend his career high point scoring streak to seven games.

Brandon Glover made 34 saves in the Hitmen net and was especially sharp in the first period when Saskatoon outshot Calgary 19-7 but headed to the dressing room after twenty minutes in a 1-1 tie.

The Hitmen blew the game open in the second period building a 4-1 lead thanks to a pair of powerplay goals.

Calgary, 13-10-1-1 on the season, will wrap up their prairie road trip tomorrow night in Prince Albert.

POST GAME NOTES:  Calgary played a physical first period with both Collin Bowman and Alex Roach delivering huge open ice hits....Special teams played a major role as Calgary went 2-5 on the powerplay while killing all five Blades chances.  Icing on the cake also saw Hitmen Joey Kornelsen score shorthanded....The goal for Greg Chase was his first in the WHL and also came in the same rink where his Uncle Kelly used to play for the Blades....The loss for Saskatoon was their first at home this season after starting 10-0....The Hitmen have now outscored their opponents by a combined 17-7 through the first three games of the road trip.

                                                Steve Hiscock photo from whl.ca

Watch the highlights here.

Calgary Hitmen 6 at Saskatoon Blades 2
Friday, November 25, 2011 - Credit Union Centre - Saskatoon, SK

Calgary 1 3 2 - 6
Saskatoon 1 0 1 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Kornelsen 4 (Brooks), 5:11 (SH).
2, Saskatoon, Paradis 8 (Sutter, Thrower), 12:27.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (interference), 4:52; Roach Cal (tripping), 14:02; Gayle Cal (inter. on goaltender), 15:49.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Macek 5 (Chase, Brooks), 5:13.
4, Calgary, Humphries 3 (Gayle, Brassart), 8:48 (PP).
5, Calgary, Bubnick 10 (Rask, Sylvester), 17:29 (PP).
Penalties-Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 2:33; Haas Sas (major-fighting), 2:33; Dietz Sas (tripping), 5:34; Sylvester Cal (elbowing), 6:06; Cox Sas (hooking), 6:58; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 12:18; Fafard Sas (major-fighting), 12:18; McEvoy Sas (tripping), 15:28; Thrower Sas (hooking), 16:21; Rissling Cal (boarding), 17:58.

3rd Period
6, Saskatoon, Cox 2 (Stransky, Trask), 10:42.
7, Calgary, Bubnick 11 (Sylvester), 14:13. 8, Calgary, Chase 1 (Helgesen, Trzonkowski), 19:08.
Penalties-Bubnick Cal (roughing), 0:38; Sylvester Cal (tripping), 0:38; Thrower Sas (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 0:38; Benson Sas (high sticking), 6:32; Roach Cal (roughing), 16:21; Sutter Sas (roughing), 16:21; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 18:49; Sutter Sas (major-fighting), 18:49; McEvoy Sas (10-minute misconduct), 19:08; Kosterman Cal (major-fighting), 19:14; Haas Sas (major-fighting), 19:14.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 7-21-9-37. Saskatoon 19-5-12-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 2 / 5; Saskatoon 0 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 6-4-0-0 (36 shots-34 saves). Saskatoon, Makarov 16-5-0-0 (37 shots-31 saves).
A-4,912
Referees-Brett Iverson (24), Reagan Vetter (79).
Linesmen-Jason Roy (94), Brent Tournier (113).



Calgary at Saskatoon

The Calgary Hitmen (12-10-1-1) are in Saskatoon tonight to face the Blades (18-6-0-1).  Calgary is tied with Regina for eighth in the Eastern Conference with 26 points while Saskatoon is tied with Kootenay for number one overall with 37 points.  The Hitmen are coming off Wednesday's 5-2 win in Moose Jaw while the Blades posted a 4-3 home ice shootout win Tuesday over the Medicine Hat Tigers.  Internet Broadcast on sportsnet960.ca starts at 6:00pm MST.

Saskatoon is a perfect 2-0 against the Hitmen this season but have been outshot by a combined 81-60.  Tonight is their third of four regular season meetings.  Josh Nicholls (1g 3a), Matej Stransky (1g 3a) and Michael Burns (4a) all have four points each against the Hitmen while Cody Sylvester (2g 1a) and Jimmy Bubnick (1g 2a) both have three points against Saskatoon. 
- Nov 1 in Saskatoon:  Blades 4 Hitmen 1.  Andrey Makarov made 39 saves in a first star performance.
- Nov 20 in Calgary: Blades 6 Hitmen 5.  Lukas Sutter scored twice including the game winner.

BLADES BANTER:  Saskatoon is ranked #4 in the Canadian Hockey League Top 10 this week.  The Blades are riding an eight game winning streak and are a perfect 10-0 at Credit Union Centre this season, the only team in the WHL without a home ice loss.  Dating back to last season, Saskatoon has won 42 of their last 46 games at home.

HITMEN HEADLINES:  The Hitmen have won two straight, but enter tonight having picked up points in five straight road games (4-0-1-0).  Calgary has scored 37 goals in their last seven games for an average of 5.3 per game.

STREAKIN: 

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 11g 15a 26pts
Jimmy Bubnick 9g 12a 21pts
Alex Gogolev 10g 10a 20pts

Saskatoon
Josh Nicholls 16g 14a 30pts
Matej Stransky 12g 15a 27pts
Jesse Paradis 7g 17a 24pts
                                                           Credit Union Centre

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Calgary 5 Moose Jaw 2

Moose Jaw, SK – Cody Sylvester scored twice and set up another leading the Calgary Hitmen to a 5-2 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors Wednesday night at Mosaic Place.

Victor Rask, Danny Gayle and Alex Gogolev also scored for the Hitmen who built period leads of 1-0 and 4-0.

Quinton Howden and Justin Kirsch scored back-to-back goals for Moose Jaw in the opening 11 minutes of the third period to pull the Warriors within a pair of goals, but any thoughts of a comeback were wiped out when Sylvester scored into an empty net.

Brandon Glover had another strong performance in the Hitmen goal, extending his personal winning streak to five games making 30 saves against his former team.

Calgary, 6-2-1-0 in their last nine games is now 12-10-1-1 on the season

The Hitmen will use tomorrow as a travel day before visiting Saskatoon Friday and Prince Albert Saturday.
Calgary returns to Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday, December 2, when they host the Spokane Chiefs. 

Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. for the Canada Safeway Ltd. Movember game.

For information on ticket packages including Flex Packs, Group Tickets or Season Tickets, call Customer Service at 403-777-4646.

POST GAME NOTES:  Warriors defenceman Dylan Mcllrath was given a major penalty for a check to the head on Hitmen Trevor Cheek.  Cheek did not return....Warriors defenceman Dallas Ehrhardt hit a second period post and crossbar.

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Moose Jaw Warriors 2

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - Mosaic Place - Moose Jaw, SK

Calgary 1 3 1 - 5
Moose Jaw 0 0 2 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Rask 13 (Brassart, Cheek), 12:52.
Penalties-Edmundson M.j (checking to the head), 0:26; Rissling Cal (major-fighting), 7:14; Edmundson M.j (major-fighting), 7:14; White M.j (tripping), 10:48; Chase Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:34; Johnson M.j (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 13:34; Humphries Cal (interference), 16:08; Beach M.j (embellishment, 10-minute misconduct), 16:08; Kornelsen Cal (roughing), 18:42; McFaull M.j (roughing), 18:42.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Gayle 6   4:42 (SH).
3, Calgary, Sylvester 10 (Cheek, Bubnick), 6:54.
4, Calgary, Gogolev 10 (Bubnick, Sylvester), 16:33 (PP).
Penalties-Sutherland Cal (tripping), 1:19; Brooks Cal (holding), 3:59; Kosterman Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 9:01; McIlrath M.j (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 9:01; Roach Cal (interference), 11:35; McIlrath M.j (major - checking to the head, game misconduct), 16:10; Gayle Cal (roughing), 17:22.

3rd Period
5, Moose Jaw, Howden 9   2:36 (SH).
6, Moose Jaw, Kirsch 11 (Beach, Howden), 10:32 (PP).
7, Calgary, Sylvester 11   18:34 (EN).
Penalties-Bowman Cal (roughing), 0:22; Bubnick Cal (major-fighting), 0:22; Edmundson M.j (roughing), 0:22; Fioretti M.j (checking from behind), 0:22; McFaull M.j (major-fighting), 0:22; Wyton M.j (slashing), 1:28; Roach Cal (slashing), 6:51; Glover Cal (delay of game), 9:03; Humphries Cal (hooking), 9:54; Brassart Cal (slashing), 12:21; Ehrhardt M.j (roughing), 12:21; Lyon M.j (roughing), 12:21; Gogolev Cal (slashing), 12:26; Clayton Cal (roughing), 19:42; Hansen M.j (roughing), 19:42; Johnson M.j (roughing), 19:42.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 14-6-12-32. Moose Jaw 8-8-16-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 7; Moose Jaw 1 / 7.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 6-4-0-0 (32 shots-30 saves). Moose Jaw, Siemens 11-6-2-1 (20 shots-16 saves); Tremblay 1-1-0-0 (11 shots-11 saves).
A-3,314
Referees-Cole Hamm (51), Curtis Howe (27).
Linesmen-Todd Doepker (65), Shane Smith (123).

Calgary at Moose Jaw

The Calgary Hitmen (11-10-1-1) play game two of a five game road trip tonight in Moose Jaw against the Warriors (14-7-2-0).  Internet Broadcast on sportsnet960.ca starts at 6pm MST.  The Hitmen are coming off last nights 6-3 win in Brandon while Moose Jaw last played on Sunday dropping a 7-6 OT decision to those same Wheat Kings at home.

Tonight is the second of four meetings between the two clubs.  Moose Jaw posted a 3-2 OT win on November 6th against the visiting Hitmen when Quinton Howden scored a powerplay goal 1:22 into the extra session.

FIRE POWER:  The Hitmen have scored a combined 32 goals in their last six games, an average of 5.3 per game. 

FORMER TEAM:  There are four former Warriors on the Hitmen roster: Collin Bowman, Danny Gayle, Brandon Glover and Joey Kornelsen.  Three former Hitmen are on the MJ roster:  Cody Beach, Justin Kirsch and Kenton Miller.

STREAKIN:  For Calgary, Alex Gogolev (5g 6a) and Danny Gayle (2g 6a) are both riding five game point streaks.  Trevor Cheek (2g 4a), Jimmy Bubnick (4g 5a), Cody Sylvester (3g 5a) and Spencer Humphries (2g 5a) all have points in four straight while Brady Brassart (1g 3a) is on a three game streak.  Brandon Glover has won his last four starts in goal.  For Moose Jaw, Andrew Johnson is on a three game point streak (3g 3a) while Justin Kirsch (1g 2a), Dylan Mcllrath (3a), Quinton Howden (1g 4a) and Kenton Miller (1g 1a) all have points in back-to-back games.

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 9g 14a 23pts
Jimmy Bubnick 9g 11a 20pts
Alex Gogolev 9g 10a 19pts

Moose Jaw
Brett Lyon 9g 11a 20pts
Justin Kirsch 10g 8a 18pts
Morgan Rielly 3g 15a 18pts

Last night in Brandon I got a chance to catch up with Hitmen rookie Kenton Helgesen. You can listen to the interview here.



Tuesday 22 November 2011

Calgary 6 Brandon 3

Brandon, MB – Alex Gogolev scored twice as the Calgary Hitmen opened a five game road trip with a 6-3 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings Tuesday night at Westman Place.

Alex Roach, Jimmy Bubnick, Cody Sylvester, and Victor Rask also scored for Calgary who carried the play most of the night finishing with 41 shots on goal.

Darian Dziurzynski, Allessio Berttaggia and Mark Stone replied for Brandon who trailed 3-1 after the first period and 4-2 after forty minutes.

Calgary, 5-2-1-0 in their last eight games, is now 11-10-1-1 on the season
The Hitmen are back in action tomorrow night in Moose Jaw before heading to Saskatoon Friday and Prince Albert Saturday.

Calgary returns to Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday, December 2, when they host the Spokane Chiefs.  Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. for the Canada Safeway Ltd. Movember game.

POST GAME NOTES:  Brandon didn't record their first shot on goal until 7:01 into the first period.  It drew a sarcastic cheer from the crowd....Jaynen Rissling hit a goal post in the second period....This was Brandon's fourth game in five nights....Calgary's third in four nights.

Calgary Hitmen 6 at Brandon Wheat Kings 3
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - Westman Place - Brandon, MB

Calgary 3 1 2 - 6
Brandon 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period
1, Calgary, Gogolev 8 (Kornelsen, Gayle), 2:04.
2, Calgary, Roach 2 (Rask), 5:47.
3, Brandon, Dziurzynski 15 (Seaman), 16:40 (SH).
4, Calgary, Bubnick 9 (Sylvester, Cheek), 18:59.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (tripping), 3:12; Bertaggia Bdn (hooking), 15:02; Brassart Cal (10-minute misconduct), 19:33; Humphries Cal (roughing, 10-minute misconduct), 19:33; Anderson Bdn (leaving crease), 19:33; Ferland Bdn (10-minute misconduct), 19:33; Melnychuk Bdn (slashing, 10-minute misconduct), 19:33.

2nd Period
5, Brandon, Bertaggia 12 (Meilleur, Walker), 11:25.
6, Calgary, Sylvester 9 (Humphries, Bubnick), 12:07.
Penalties-Bowman Cal (interference), 3:19; Swyripa Bdn (high sticking), 8:03.

3rd Period
7, Calgary, Gogolev 9 (Roach, Sylvester), 9:12.
8, Brandon, Stone 23 (Bertaggia, Ciarelli), 15:13 (PP).
9, Calgary, Rask 12 (Brassart, Humphries), 17:31.
Penalties-Trzonkowski Cal (hooking), 3:03; Meilleur Bdn (roughing), 9:37; Bubnick Cal (holding), 13:57; Rissling Cal (interference), 15:13; Roy Bdn (roughing), 18:26.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 20-9-12-41. Brandon 8-10-8-26.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 5; Brandon 1 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 5-4-0-0 (26 shots-23 saves). Brandon, Anderson 7-8-1-1 (41 shots-35 saves).
A-3,532
Referees-Chris Crich (80), Patrick Gagnon (71).
Linesmen-Warren Birch (110), Bryden Hutlet (114).

Calgary at Brandon

The Calgary Hitmen (10-10-1-1) open a five game road trip tonight in Brandon against the Wheat Kings (16-7-1-1).  The Hitmen are coming off Sunday's 6-5 home ice loss to Saskatoon while Brandon overcame a 6-3 third period deficit on the road Sunday to beat Moose Jaw 7-6 in OT.

Tonight marks the second of four meetings this season between the two clubs.  On November 4th the Hitmen fell 5-2 in Brandon.  The line of Brendan Walker (2g 2a), Mark Stone (1g 2a) and Michael Ferlund (2g 3a) combined for 11 points. 

This morning after breakfast I caught up with Hitmen forward Trevor Cheek who has five points in his last three games (2g 3a).  Listen here.

Tonight's Radio Broadcast on Sportsnet 960 The Fan starts at 6pm MST. 

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 8g 12a 20pts
Jimmy Bubnick 8g 10a 18pts
Alex Gogolev 7g 10a 17pts

Brandon
Mark Stone 22g 32a 54pts
Michael Ferland 15g 24a 39pts
Ryan Pulock 8g 19a 27pts
Eric Roy 4g 23a 27pts

STREAKIN:  A combined 14 players take point streaks into tonight's game, eight Hitmen and six Wheat Kings.  For Calgary Alex Gogolev (3g 6a) and Danny Gayle (2g 5a) are both riding four game point streaks.  Trevor Cheek (2g 3a), Jimmy Bubnick (3g 4a), Cody Sylvester (2g 3a) and Spencer Humphries (2g 3a) all have points in three straight while Brooks Macek (2a) and Brady Brassart (1g 2a) both have points in back-to-back games.  For Brandon Mark Stone (7g 9a) and Eric Roy (2g 6a) both carry six game point streaks into tonight.  Darian Dziurzynski (4g 3a), Alessio Bertaggia (4g 2a) and Tyrel Seaman (1g 4a) have points in four straight while Brendan Walker (2g 1a) has points in back-to-back games.


Sunday 20 November 2011

Saskatoon 6 Calgary 5

Lucas Sutter's second goal of the game broke a 5-5 third period tie lifting the Saskatoon Blades to a 6-5 win Sunday afternoon over the Calgary Hitmen at Scotiabank Saddledome.

The Blades have now won seven in a row, improving to 2-0 against the Hitmen this season.

Calgary, who held leads of 2-1, 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4, fired 46 shots in the loss.  Cody Sylvester led the Hitmen scoring attack with a pair of goals while Joey Kornelsen, Jimmy Bubnick and Spencer Humphries added singles.  Both Sylvester (2g 1a) and Bubnick (1g 2a) finished the day with three points each.

Calgary, 10-10-1-1, will open a five game road trip Tuesday night in Brandon.

Check out some game photos here thanks to photographer Linda Coward.

Saskatoon Blades 6 at Calgary Hitmen 5
Sunday, November 20, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Saskatoon 1 4 1 - 6
Calgary 2 3 0 - 5

1st Period
1, Saskatoon, Trask 7 (Stransky, Nicholls), 9:08.
2, Calgary, Sylvester 7 (Bubnick, Cheek), 11:40.
3, Calgary, Kornelsen 3 (Gayle, Roach), 16:34.
Penalties-Cox Sas (holding), 6:06.

2nd Period
4, Saskatoon, Stovin 5   2:47.
5, Calgary, Sylvester 8 (Gogolev, Bubnick), 7:05.
6, Saskatoon, Collins 3 (Burns, Thrower), 8:54.
7, Calgary, Humphries 2 (Brassart, Brooks), 11:37.
8, Saskatoon, Sutter 7 (Burns, Paradis), 11:52.
9, Calgary, Bubnick 8 (Cheek, Sylvester), 12:33.
10, Saskatoon, Dietz 5 (Nicholls), 15:33 (PP).
Penalties-McEvoy Sas (interference), 6:37; Roach Cal (cross checking), 6:37; Roach Cal (interference), 12:40; Bowman Cal (slashing), 14:22; Brooks Cal (delay of game), 15:10; served by Stipancik Sas (too many men), 18:23.

3rd Period
11, Saskatoon, Sutter 8 (Burns), 8:58.
Penalties-Siemens Sas (hooking), 1:26; Burns Sas (roughing), 2:59; Humphries Cal (roughing), 2:59; Brassart Cal (hooking), 14:29.

Shots on Goal-Saskatoon 7-14-9-30. Calgary 13-18-15-46.
Power Play Opportunities-Saskatoon 1 / 4; Calgary 0 / 3.
Goalies-Saskatoon, Makarov 14-5-0-0 (46 shots-41 saves). Calgary, Driedger 6-4-1-1 (30 shots-24 saves).
A-7,787
Referees-Fraser Lawrence (10), Matt Thurston (64).
Linesmen-Reid Anderson (53), Jeff Jobson (52).

Saskatoon at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen (10-9-1-1) wrap up a four game home stand this afternoon when they host the Saskatoon Blades (16-6-0-1).  The Hitmen have won two straight and are coming off last night's 7-1 win over the Prince Albert Raiders.  The Blades meanwhile are ranked #6 in the Canadian Hockey League and have won six in a row.  They posted a 2-1 win in Red Deer last night. 

The Blades lead the Eastern Conference with 33 points, while the Hitmen are 10th with 22 points.  However Calgary has anywhere from one to three games in hand on all teams above them in the standings.

It's the second of four meetings this season between the Hitmen and Blades.  Saskatoon won the first 4-1 at Credit Union Centre on November 2nd.  Goaltender Andrey Makarov made 39 saves in the win.

Calgary is 5-4-1-1 on home ice while the Blades are 7-6-0-1 on the road.

STREAKIN:  For the Hitmen Danny Gayle is on a three game point streak (2g 4a) meanwhile Spencer Humphries (1g 2a), Brooks Macek (2a), Jimmy Bubnick (2g 2a), Cody Sylvester (2a), Collin Bowman (3g 1a) and Trevor Cheek (2g) all have points in back-to-back games.  For Saskatoon goaltender Andrey Makarov has won his last five starts.  Jesse Paradis (2a) and Lukas Sutter (1g 1a) are on two game point streaks. 

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 6g 11a 17pts
Victor Rask 11g 5a 16pts
Brooks Macek 4g 12a 16pts

Saskatoon
Josh Nicholls 16g 12a 28pts
Matej Stransky 12g 13a 25pts
Jesse Paradis 7g 14a 21pts

Saturday 19 November 2011

Calgary Hitmen 7 Prince Albert 1

Collin Bowman fired his first career hat trick leading the Calgary Hitmen to a 7-1 home ice win over the Prince Albert Raiders.

The win moves Calgary over .500 for the first time this season improving their record to 10-9-1-1.

Brady Brassart, Trevor Cheek, Jimmy Bubnick and Spencer Humphries also scored for Calgary. 

The Raiders started the game with four straight powerplay chances, but the Hitmen killed them all anchored by strong defence and a few brilliant saves from Brandon Glover.

Calgary will now have less than 24 hours to prepare for their final game of a four game home stand when they welcome the CHL's #6 ranked Saskatoon Blades.  Game time Sunday is 2:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Check out some game photos here from photographer Linda Coward

Prince Albert Raiders 1 at Calgary Hitmen 7
Saturday, November 19, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Prince Albert 0 1 0 - 1
Calgary 1 4 2 - 7

1st Period
1, Calgary, Bowman 5 (Sylvester), 17:10.
Penalties-Cheek Cal (interference), 0:49; Brassart Cal (holding opp. stick), 4:41; Gayle Cal (holding), 8:52; Rissling Cal (roughing), 12:19.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Bowman 6 (Chase, Clayton), 3:12.
3, Calgary, Brassart 6 (Macek), 8:54.
4, Prince Albert, McNeill 8   9:53 (SH).
5, Calgary, Cheek 7 (Bubnick, Glover), 12:06.
6, Calgary, Bubnick 7   15:59.
Penalties-Maylan P.a (high sticking), 4:07; Bourhis P.a (roughing, roughing), 9:09; Humphries Cal (roughing), 9:09.

3rd Period
7, Calgary, Humphries 1 (Brassart), 15:30.
8, Calgary, Bowman 7 (Humphries, Gayle), 19:24 (PP).
Penalties-Tochkin P.a (slashing), 16:01; Bourhis P.a (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 18:38; Morrissey P.a (roughing), 19:10; Vanscourt P.a (roughing), 19:10; Chase Cal (roughing), 19:10; Yaworski P.a (10-minute misconduct), 19:17.

Shots on Goal-Prince Albert 11-12-4-27. Calgary 11-16-16-43.
Power Play Opportunities-Prince Albert 0 / 4; Calgary 1 / 5.
Goalies-Prince Albert, Holowenko 1-6-0-0 (22 shots-18 saves); Williams 4-11-1-1 (21 shots-18 saves). Calgary, Glover 3-4-0-0 (27 shots-26 saves).
A-8,544
Referees-Jonathan Spurgeon (7), Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Jeff Jobson (52), Ian Shaver (74).

Prince Albert at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen (9-9-1-1) are back in Scotiabank Saddledome tonight to host the Prince Albert Raiders (5-17-1-1).  Game time is 7:00 p.m.  The Hitmen are coming off last Sunday's 6-2 home ice win over Lethbridge while PA suffered a heartbreaking loss in Edmonton last night.  Rhett Rachinski scored with six seconds left in regulation to give the Oil Kings a 4-3 win.

Tonight is the second of four regular season meetings between the Hitmen and Raiders.  Calgary posted a 5-2 win in Prince Albert on November 1st.  Jimmy Bubnick led the Hitmen with a hat trick while Chris Driedger made 28 saves.

Calgary is 4-4-0-1 on home ice this season while PA is 2-9-1-1 on the road.

STREAKIN:  Jaynen Rissling is on a four game point streak (1g 5a), Alex Gogolev (3g 4a), Danny Gayle (2g 3a) and Joey Kornelsen (2a) all have points in back to back games.

Top Scorers

Calgary:
Victor Rask 11g 5a 16pts
Cody Sylvester 6g 10am 16pts
Alex Gogolev 7g 8a 15pts
Brooks Macek 4g 11a 15pts

Prince Albert:
Justin Maylan 13g 16a 29pts
Mark McNeill 7g 12a 19pts
Brandon Herrod 8g 9a 17pts
Kellan Tochkin 2g 15a 17pts

Friday 18 November 2011

Movember Update

The Calgary Hitmen have joined the fight against prostate cancer and are growing moustaches to help raise money to help find a cure for the disease.
                                                  Hitmen forward Brook Macek
So far midway through the month, they've raised close to $4,000 dollars.
Check out the rest of the team and make a donation by clicking here.

Thursday 17 November 2011

Driedger catches NHL eye

Central Scouting has released it's preliminary rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.  Calgary Hitmen puck stopper Chris Driedger is ranked #2 among Western Hockey League goalies.  The 17-year-old owns a record of 6-4-1-1 while posting a 2.74GAA and a .901 save percentage.

                                             **Photo from the Moose Jaw Times**

Here is the entire WHL list released today. 

Skaters
1. Ryan Murray Everett D
2. Morgan Rielly Moose Jaw D
3. Mathew Dumba Red Deer D
4. Derrick Pouliot Portland D
5. Griffin Reinhart Edmonton D
6. Colton Sissons Kelowna C
7. Chandler Stephenson Regina C
8. Coda Gordon Swift Current LW
9. Mike Winther Prince Albert C
10. Nicholas Walters Everett D
11. Brandon Troock Seattle RW
12. Brett Kulak Vancouver D
13. Damon Severson Kelowna D
14. Dalton Thrower Saskatoon D
15. Dominik Volek Regina RW
16. Michal Plutnar Tri-City D
17. Tyrel Seaman Brandon LW
18. Lukas Sutter Saskatoon C
19. Brendan Leipsic Portland LW
20. Shayne Gwinner Moose Jaw D
21. Ryan Olsen Saskatoon C
22. Travis Brown Moose Jaw D
23. Timothe Bozon Kamloops C/LW/RW
24. Steven Hodges Victoria C
25. Alessio Bertaggia Brandon LW

Goaltenders
1. Andrey Makarov Saskatoon G
2. Chris Driedger Calgary G
3. Patrik Bartosak Red Deer G
4. Mackenzie Skapski Kootenay G
5. Corbin Boes Brandon G
6. Cole Holowenko Prince Albert G

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Milestone for Mike Williamson

Known around the Western Hockey League as Willy, Calgary Hitmen Head Coach Mike Williamson celebrated a milestone in Sunday's 6-2 home ice victory over the Lethbridge Hurricanes.  It was regular season coaching win number 300.  He becomes just the 19th coach in league history to achieve that mark.  Williamson got his start with the Portland Winterhawks where he picked up his first 219 victories as a bench boss.  But his transition to Calgary was as good as any coach can ask for, winning an Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Hitmen as WHL Champions in 2010.

I had a chance to catch up with Mr. 300.  You can listen to the interview here.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Hitmen rookie makes Team Pacific

Calgary Hitmen rookie forward Greg Chase will play for Team Pacific at the at the 2012 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, December 29, 2011 – January 4, 2012 in Windsor, Ontario.  Chase, the lone 16-year-old on the Hitmen roster, was a first round Bantam Pick of the club, taken 22nd overall in the 2010 draft.

Team Pacific is comprised of 11 players from BC and 11 players from Alberta. Each province held a provincial camp over the summer to identify a set number of players. These players were evaluated during the first part of the club team season by a selected group of high performance evaluators.

Click here to see the entire Team Pacific Roster

The 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge will bring together the top players in the world born in 1995 or later. The tournament is made up of 10 teams; five (5) from Canada - Quebec, Ontario, Pacific (Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon), Atlantic (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) and West (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut), and five (5) International teams - Germany, Sweden, Russia, Czech Republic and the United States.

Team Pacific has included some of the top hockey players that Canada has ever produced.  Some notable graduates who have competed on Team Pacific include:

• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 2010
• Joe Sakic, Team Pacific 1986
• Jarome Iginla, Team Pacific 1994
• Brent Seabrook, Team Pacific 2002
• Dion Phaneuf, Team Pacific 2002
• Mike Green, Team Pacific 2002
• Evander Kane, Team Pacific 2008

The Under 17 program is the first step in Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.  Many players who compete at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge go on to represent Canada with the National Men’s Under 18 Team, National Junior Team and National Men’s Team.

At the 2011 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Winnipeg, Manitoba Team Pacific finished third winning the bronze medal.

One on one with Jaynen Rissling

Hitmen 18-year-old defenceman Jaynen Rissling is in his third season in the Western Hockey League and is currently riding a four game point streak (1g 5a).  The 6'4" 222lbs. product of Edmonton has a love for the Oilers and waterslides. 

We also chat a little hockey in this interview. 

Click here to listen

Sunday 13 November 2011

Calgary 6 Lethbridge 2

Russian rookie Alex Gogolev had a career high four points (2g 2a) as the Calgary Hitmen beat the Lethbridge Hurricanes 6-2 Sunday afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Gogolev now has seven points (3g 4a) in his last two games.

The Hitmen used a strong start to springboard them to victory building a 3-0 lead less than 12 minutes into the opening period.  Lethbridge did cut the deficit to 3-2 before the end of the first period, but any thoughts of a comeback were wiped out when Calgary added two more second period goals and another marker in the third period.

On the day 12 different Hitmen recorded at least a single point as Trevor Cheek, Victor Rask, Jimmy Bubnick and Dany Gayle also scored in the win.  Brandon Glover turned in a strong performance in the Hitmen net making 29 saves, including 15 in the third period to pick up the win.

Calgary went 3-5 on the powerplay while killing all three Lethbridge chances.  The Hitmen are now back to the .500 mark at 9-9-1-1.  After starting the season 1-4-0-1 Calgary has gone 8-5-1-0 in their last 15 games.

The Hitmen are now idle until Saturday night when they kick off another stretch of six games in eight days as they welcome the Prince Albert Raiders to Scotiabank Saddledome.  Game time is 7:00 p.m.


Lethbridge Hurricanes 2 at Calgary Hitmen 6
Sunday, November 13, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Lethbridge 2 0 0 - 2
Calgary 3 2 1 - 6

1st Period
1, Calgary, Cheek 6 (Sylvester, Gogolev), 3:53.
2, Calgary, Rask 11 (Macek, Bowman), 10:12 (PP).
3, Calgary, Bubnick 6 (Rissling, Gogolev), 11:38 (PP).
4, Lethbridge, Hood 4 (Oslanski), 17:16.
5, Lethbridge, Buonassisi 6 (Braes, Sutter), 17:46.
Penalties-Braes Let (roughing), 9:47; Buonassisi Let (roughing), 9:47; Oslanski Let (roughing), 13:18.

2nd Period
6, Calgary, Gayle 5   6:48.
7, Calgary, Gogolev 6 (Kornelsen, Gayle), 18:31.
Penalties-Sutherland Cal (high sticking), 4:01; Brooks Cal (roughing), 6:53; Hood Let (high sticking), 18:45.

3rd Period
8, Calgary, Gogolev 7 (Bubnick, Humphries), 8:31 (PP).
Penalties-Buonassisi Let (roughing), 6:48; Rask Cal (holding), 11:11.

Shots on Goal-Lethbridge 7-9-15-31. Calgary 13-9-7-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Lethbridge 0 / 3; Calgary 3 / 5.
Goalies-Lethbridge, Liston 3-8-0-0 (29 shots-23 saves). Calgary, Glover 3-4-0-0 (31 shots-29 saves).
A-7,923
Referees-Matt Kirk (4).
Linesmen-Steve Cochrane (125), Sean Donnelly (109).

Lethbridge at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen (8-9-1-1) are back home today for a Sunday matinee against the Lethbridge Hurricanes (3-17-0-1).  Game time is 2pm at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Calgary is coming off Friday's 5-4 home ice loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds while the Hurricanes fell 7-3 at home last night to the Tri-City Americans.

Today is the second of six meetings between the 'Canes and Hitmen.  Lethbridge post a 6-5 home ice win way back on September 30th. 

Top Scorers

Calgary
Victor Rask 10g 5a 15pts
Cody Sylvester 6g 9a 15pts
Brooks Macek 4g 10a 14pts

Lethbridge
Cam Braes 6g 10a 16pts
Brody Sutter 7g 4a 11pts
Brady Ramsay 7g 2a 9pts

Hitmen Alumnus Kyle Aschim

A surprise visit to Friday's Hitmen game from a member of the 2010 WHL Champion Calgary Hitmen.  Kyle Aschim was in the crowd to watch his younger brother Sean who plays for Seattle.

He stopped by the broadcast booth for a visit.

Click here to listen.

Friday 11 November 2011

Seattle 5 Calgary 4

Justin Hickman scored twice, including the game winner to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 5-4 win over the Calgary Hitmen Friday night at Scotiabank Saddledome. 

The flood gates opened early in the game with Seattle building a 2-1 lead just under four minutes into the first period on goals from Luke Lockart and Connor Sanvido sandwiched around a Hitmen goal from Danny Gayle. 

Calgary rallied to take a 3-2 lead getting goals 16 seconds apart from Alex Roach and Brady Brassart.  But Seattle would add two more, the first from Hickman and the second on a powerplay from Marcel Noebels, to close a wild first period with a 4-3 lead.

In the second period, Calgary drew even midway through when rookie Alex Gogolev buried his fifth goal of the season.  The Hitmen had other chances to score but Gogolev hit a post and Brassart was stopped on a breakaway. 

Then with timing winding down in the middle frame Hickman scored on a Calgary turnover with 12.1 seconds remaining to give Seattle a 5-4 lead they would not relinquish.

With the loss Calgary drops to 8-9-1-1.  The Hitmen will host the Lethbridge Hurricanes in a Sunday matinee at Scotiabank Saddledome.  Game time is 2:00 p.m.

Seattle Thunderbirds 5 at Calgary Hitmen 4
Friday, November 11, 2011 - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary, AB

Seattle 4 1 0 - 5
Calgary 3 1 0 - 4

1st Period
1, Seattle, Lockart 3 (Gallimore, Pickard), 1:10.
2, Calgary, Gayle 4 (Lubin, Gogolev), 2:18.
3, Seattle, Sanvido 3 (Aschim), 3:58.
4, Calgary, Roach 1 (Gogolev, Gayle), 7:03 (PP).
5, Calgary, Brassart 5   7:19.
6, Seattle, Hickman 3 (Laroque, Rouse), 10:05.
 7, Seattle, Noebels 8 (Gallimore, Sutter), 12:10 (PP).
Penalties-Noebels Sea (hooking), 6:35; Hauf Sea (roughing), 10:43; Bubnick Cal (roughing), 10:43; Gayle Cal (hooking), 11:12; Roach Cal (cross checking), 13:17; Kosterman Cal (tripping), 14:30; Elliot Sea (tripping), 16:53; Chase Cal (inter. on goaltender), 18:20.

2nd Period
8, Calgary, Gogolev 5 (Gayle), 9:36.
9, Seattle, Hickman 4 (Noebels), 19:47.
Penalties-Troock Sea (tripping), 2:41; Cheek Cal (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 4:33; Sutter Sea (boarding), 10:59; Aschim Sea (roughing), 14:00; Doty Sea (roughing), 14:00; Clayton Cal (roughing), 14:00.

3rd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Elliot Sea (major-fighting), 3:06; Kosterman Cal (major-fighting), 3:06; Clayton Cal (hooking), 6:30; Chase Cal (high sticking), 10:20.

Shots on Goal
Seattle 15-6-6-27. Calgary 12-7-8-27.

Power Play Opportunities
Seattle 1 / 7; Calgary 1 / 5.

Goalies
Seattle, Pickard 7-9-0-0 (27 shots-23 saves). Calgary, Driedger 6-4-1-1 (15 shots-11 saves); Glover 2-4-0-0 (12 shots-11 saves).

A-8,823

Referees-Sean Raphael (28).
Linesmen-Scott Sharun (103), Justin Slimm (105).



 

Seattle at Calgary

The Calgary Hitmen (8-8-1-1) open a four game home stand tonight against the Seattle Thunderbirds (6-10-0-0).  It’s the Remembrance Day game with the Hitmen offering complimentary admission to past and present members of the military, and to all police, fire and EMS service members.  Present your identification card to receive one free ticket.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Friday is also Student Night.  Show your student I.D. to receive a special ticket rate of $8.

The Hitmen are back in the 'Dome after a 3-2-1-0 six game East Division road trip that ended Tuesday in Swift Current with a 4-3 shootout win over the Broncos.  Seattle meanwhile is still in the midst of their six game Central Division swing coming off Wednesday's 3-2 win in Lethbridge.  They had dropped the first three games of the road trip.  Tonight will be their fifth game in eight nights.

Calgary has started to find their game.  Since starting the season 1-4-0-1, the Hitmen have gone 7-4-1-0.

VS U-S DIVISION:  Calgary is 1-1 against teams from the U-S this season falling 7-1 to Portland before beating Everett 3-1.

HOME VS. ROAD:  Calgary is 3-3-0-1 at Scotiabank Saddledome this season.  Seattle is 4-5-0-0 on the road.

STREAKIN:  Jaynen Rissling (1g 4a) is on a three game point streak while Collin Bowman (2a) has points in back-to-back games.  Brooks Macek is a combined +5 in his last six games.  Goaltender Chris Driedger has started 11 of the last 12 games.  For Seattle, Brendan Rouse (2g 3a) is on a four game point streak while Marcel Noebels (2g 1a) has picked up points in three straight.  Calvin Pickard, a second round pick of the Colorado Avalanche, has started nine straight games in goal.  Now in his fourth season with the T-Birds, Pickard has made 6,102 career regular season saves.  That is 24 saves shy of Kyle Moir (Swift Current Broncos, 2002-07 (233 games) for sixth on all all-time list and 41 saves behind Jeff Calvert Moose Jaw - Tacoma, 1989-94 (227 games) for fifth place.  Danny Lorenz, Seattle, 1986-90 (224 games) holds the WHL record for most saves in a career with 6,958. 

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Victor Rask 10g 5a 15pts
Cody Sylvester 6g 9a 15pts
Brooks Macek 4g 10a 14pts

Seattle
Marcel Noebels 7g 6a 13pts
Burke Gallimore 7g 2a 9pts
Sean Aschim 4g 5a 9pts

Tuesday 8 November 2011

Calgary 4 Swift Current 3 Shootout

Swift Current, SK – Brooks Macek scored in a shootout to give the Calgary Hitmen a 4-3 win over the Swift Current Broncos Tuesday night.

The victory capped the longest road trip of the season for the Hitmen who finished their six games in eight days journey with a record of 3-2-1-0.

Cody Sylvester scored twice while Victor Rask added a single for Calgary who built leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2.  Jaynen Rissling also chipped in a pair of assists in the victory.

Taylor Vause netted a pair of goals for for Swift Current before Trevor Cameron forced overtime with 3:32 remaining.

Chris Driedger made 24 saves plus three more in the shootout to pick up the win in goal as Calgary outshot the Broncos 35-27.

Calgary, 8-8-1-1 on the season, will open a four game home stand Friday night against the Seattle Thunderbirds.  It’s the Remembrance Day game with the Hitmen offering complimentary admission to past and present members of the military, and to all police, fire and EMS service members.  Present your identification card to receive one free ticket.  Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome.

Friday is also Student Night.  Show your student I.D. to receive a special ticket rate of $8.

The Hitmen will also host the Lethbridge Hurricanes Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Fans are invited to a Sunday brunch before the game in Avison Young Club Dining Room from Noon to 2:00 p.m.  For brunch reservations, please call (403) 571-9733.  The reservation line is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Please note the reservation will be closed November 11 for Remembrance Day.



Calgary Hitmen 4 at Swift Current Broncos 3 Shootout
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 - Credit Union i-plex - Swift Current, SK

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

1st Period
1, Calgary, Rask 10 (Rissling, Humphries), 10:30 (PP).
2, Swift Current, Vause 12 (Cameron, Scarlett), 17:25.
Penalties-Dale S.c (roughing), 10:23.

2nd Period
3, Calgary, Sylvester 5 (Cheek), 17:48.
Penalties-Cameron S.c (interference), 5:27; Humphries Cal (roughing), 12:57; Black S.c (roughing), 12:57.

3rd Period
4, Swift Current, Vause 13 (Scarlett), 8:34 (PP).
5, Calgary, Sylvester 6 (Rissling, Bowman), 9:24.
6, Swift Current, Cameron 2 (Moser), 16:28.
Penalties-Bowman Cal (checking from behind), 6:52.

OT Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-No Penalties

Shootout - Calgary 1 (Macek G, Rask NG), Swift Current 0 (Hoban NG, Vause NG, Moser NG).
Shots on Goal-Calgary 8-16-7-3-34. Swift Current 7-10-9-1-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 2; Swift Current 1 / 1.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 5-4-1-1 (27 shots-24 saves). Swift Current, Groenheyde 5-5-1-1 (34 shots-31 saves).
A-2,237
Referees-Adam Byblow (23).
Linesmen-Allan Howat (48), Ian Schafer (56).

Calgary at Swift Current

The Calgary Hitmen (7-8-1-1) can see the light at the end of the tunnel on this eight day tour of the East Division.  Their longest road trip of the season ends tonight in Swift Current against the Broncos (7-9-2-0).  The Hitmen are 2-0 against the Broncos this season posting wins of 5-1 and 7-1.  Calgary is coming off Sunday's 3-2 OT loss in Moose Jaw while Swift Current was a 3-2 home ice winner over Prince Albert on Saturday night.

The team used a rare day off yesterday to hit the bowling lanes where Trevor Cheek did his best Roy Munsun impression from the movie Kingpin and bowled a team high 221.  Cheek also reminded me it was only the second time the American had ever played five pin.  Impressive!

I even put on the funky shoes and played.  But the use of the word "played" is certainly debateable.  I tore up the lanes with a 71.  An awesome score for golf, but the worst score of anyone on the day.  Even Alex Gogolev, who had never picked up a bowling ball in his life, was better.  I think I'll stick to the broadcast booth from now on. 

Back to hockey where the Hitmen hit the ice in Swift Current for a morning game day skate.  I caught up with forward Jimmy Bubnick.  Listen to the interview here

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Victor Rask 9g 5a 14pts
Brooks Macek 4g 10a 14pts
Cody Sylvester 4g 9a 13pts

Swift Current
Taylor Vause 11g 16a 27pts
Coda Gordon 11g 11a 22pts
Adam Lowry 5g 16a 21pts

Tonight's game is internet only on sportsnet960.ca  Click here to listen starting at 6pm MST

Monday 7 November 2011

Hitmen Alumnus Earns Award

CANADA WEST - The Canada West Universities Athletic Association and Western Hockey League are proud to announce that University of Saskatchewan left-winger and former Calgary Hitmen player Kyle Bortis is the Canada West men’s hockey Husky-WHL Graduate of the Month for October 2011.

Each monthly winner throughout the season receives a $500 cheque towards the cost of education, a plaque, a letter from WHL Commissioner Ron Robison and a computer bag.

A third-year member of the Huskies, Bortis recorded five goals and seven assists for 12 points in eight conference games from Sept. 30 through Oct. 29, including game-winning goals on Oct. 15 (Regina) and 22 (Lethbridge). He  recorded points in six different contests, five of them multiple-point games.

Bortis, a 23-year-old Agriculture student at the U of S, becomes the 23rd monthly winner of the award for Saskatchewan and first since Steven DaSilva won the award in October 2008. In two previous seasons with the Huskies Bortis has 18 goals and 37 assists for 56 points, 28 in both 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Into early November Bortis is tied for the 2011-12 Canada West scoring lead, with 5-10-15.

One of 155 Canada West student-athletes with a WHL scholarship for the 2011-12, the University of Saskatchewan leads all North American institutions with 33 active recipients.

Before joining the Huskies, Bortis played four seasons in the Western Hockey League - two for the Swift Current Broncos, followed by two with the Calgary Hitmen after a trade in October 2007.

In 236 career WHL games, the 5-8 Saskatoon product scored 86 goals, adding 123 assists for 209 regular season points. In 40 post-season games Bortis accumulated 13-23-36, going to the Conference final in 2009 with a Hitmen team that finished first overall during the regular season.

Moose Jaw 3 Calgary 2 OT

Moose Jaw, SK – Quinton Howden scored a powerplay goal 1:22 into overtime lifting the Moose Jaw Warriors to a 3-2 win over the Calgary Hitmen Sunday night.

The Hitmen got on the board first jumping out to a 2-0 lead just over 13 minutes into the first period on goals from Jaynen Rissling and Brady Brassart.

Moose Jaw drew even before the end of twenty minutes on goals from Cody Beach and Sam Fioretti.

The two teams then played scoreless second and third periods leading to Howden’s overtime heroics.

Calgary outshot the Warriors 35-29.

The Hitmen are now 2-2-1-0 on their current six game tour of the East Division.  They wrap up the road trip Tuesday night in Swift Current.

Post Game Notes

1st period: 
-Brady Brassart had a glorious chance for an empty net backhand goal, but Warriors defenceman Morgan Rielly tied up his stick on a great defensive play

2nd period:
-The games lone scrap saw the Hitmen's Rob Trzonkowski drop the gloves with Jordan Wyton

3rd period:
-Brooks Macek hit a goal post for Calgary while Moose Jaw hit a couple posts.

Calgary Hitmen 2 at Moose Jaw Warriors 3 (OT)
Sunday, November 6, 2011 - Mosaic Place - Moose Jaw, SK

Calgary 2 0 0 0 - 2
Moose Jaw 2 0 0 1 - 3

1st Period
1, Calgary, Rissling 1 (Macek, Bowman), 12:03.
2, Calgary, Brassart 4 (Roach, Bubnick), 13:48.
3, Moose Jaw, Beach 5 (Rielly, Howden), 14:45 (PP).
4, Moose Jaw, Fioretti 5 (Kirsch, Rielly), 17:00.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (interference), 1:02; Eberle M.j (roughing), 5:56; Beach M.j (too many men), 8:48; Cheek Cal (checking from behind), 13:54; Kosterman Cal (holding), 17:28.

2nd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Rissling Cal (hooking), 4:06; Trzonkowski Cal (major-fighting), 9:42; Wyton M.j (major-fighting), 9:42; Eberle M.j (slashing), 13:21; Beach M.j (embellishment), 18:20; Bowman Cal (hooking), 19:13.

3rd Period
No Scoring.
Penalties-Brassart Cal (high sticking), 12:14; Gwinner M.j (hooking), 18:11; Bubnick Cal (interference), 19:41.

OT Period
5, Moose Jaw, Howden 4 (Kirsch, McFaull), 1:22 (PP).
Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal-Calgary 9-9-16-1-35. Moose Jaw 11-10-5-2-28.

Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 5; Moose Jaw 2 / 7.

Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 5-4-1-1 (28 shots-25 saves). Moose Jaw, Siemens 8-4-1-1 (35 shots-33 saves).

A-3,364

Referees-Trevor Hanson (19).
Linesmen-Sean Dufour (50), Dawson Switzer (97).

Sunday 6 November 2011

Calgary at Moose Jaw

HITMEN HEADLINES:  Calgary (7-8-0-1) plays game five of a season long six game East Division road trip tonight when they visit the Moose Jaw Warriors (10-5-1-0).  It's their first meeting since the October 26th trade that saw the Hitmen acquire 18-year-old center Joey Kornelsen, 20-year-old defenceman Collin Bowman and a fourth round pick in 2012 from the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for 19-year-old forward Justin Kirsch and 20-year-old center Kenton Miller. 

VS. MOOSE JAW:  Tonight is the first of four meetings with the Warriors.  Last season they split their four meetings with the road team winning once in each other’s building. 
-Oct 2 in Cal; Hitmen 6 Warriors 2
-Nov 21 in MJ; Warriors 6 Hitmen 3
-Dec 28 in Cal; Warriors 6 Hitmen 1
-Feb 16 in MJ; Hitmen 3 Warriors 1

MUCH IMPROVED:  It took until December 3rd, or Game 28 for the Hitmen to win their seventh game of the season a year ago.  Last night’s seventh win came in Game 16. 

STREAKS:  Brooks Macek (2a) has points in back-to-back games.  Calder Brooks (1g 3a) had his four game point streak snapped last night in Regina.

EAST FEAST:  Calgary is 5-2-0-1 against teams from the East Division.  That also includes a 4-1 record on the road in Saskatchewan.

Calgary 3 Regina 2

Regina, SK – Victor Rask scored a pair of goals, including the game winner in the third period, to lead the Calgary Hitmen to a 3-2 win in Regina over the Pats Saturday night.

The Rask winner was on a puck dumped into the Regina zone from outside the blueline that went off the heal of goaltender Matt Hewitt's stick and in. 

Brandon Glover making his first start in 10 games made 26 saves in the Hitmen net, including 14 in the first period, in a first star performance. 

The Pats raced out of the gates building a 15-1 lead on the shot clock just 14 minutes into the game.  They also had a first period goal disallowed.

Danny Gayle also scored for Calgary who is now 2-2 on their current six game East Division road trip.

Jaynen Rissling chipped in a pair of assists for the Hitmen who trailed 1-0 after the first period but headed to the third tied 2-2.

Calgary, 7-8-0-1 on the season, plays their third games in as many nights Sunday in Moose Jaw before heading to Swift Current Tuesday.

Calgary Hitmen 3 at Regina Pats 2
Saturday, November 5, 2011 - Brandt Centre - Regina, SK

Calgary 0 2 1 - 3
Regina 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Regina, Scheidl 6 (Jobke, Weal), 5:18.
Penalties-Humphries Cal (slashing), 2:29; Roach Cal (major-fighting), 3:28; Stevenson Reg (major-fighting), 3:28; Humphries Cal (roughing), 8:09; Brassart Cal (slashing), 11:48; Ouellette Reg (slashing), 11:48.

2nd Period
2, Calgary, Gayle 3 (Bubnick, Brassart), 2:58.
3, Calgary, Rask 8 (Rissling), 11:52.
4, Regina, Weal 8   13:10 (SH).
Penalties-Stephenson Reg (holding), 6:00; Glover Cal (goalie, ineligible p), 6:47; Cheek Cal (roughing), 10:03; Ouellette Reg (roughing), 10:03; Cheek Cal (roughing), 12:17; Humphries Cal (roughing, roughing), 12:17; Roach Cal (roughing), 12:17; Burroughs Reg (roughing), 12:17; Ouellette Reg (roughing, roughing, roughing), 12:17; Peel Reg (roughing), 12:17.

3rd Period
5, Calgary, Rask 9 (Macek, Rissling), 3:03 (PP).
Penalties-Rissling Cal (interference), 0:33; Klimchuk Reg (interference), 1:14; Jobke Reg (charging), 8:33; Brooks Cal (interference), 13:27; Gayle Cal (major-fighting), 19:54; Jobke Reg (instigator, major-fighting, game misconduct), 19:54.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 6-13-8-27. Regina 15-5-8-28.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 1 / 5; Regina 0 / 5.
Goalies-Calgary, Glover 2-3-0-0 (28 shots-26 saves). Regina, Hewitt 11-4-0-0 (27 shots-24 saves).
A-4,504
Referees-Kyle Scrivens (77), Curtis Howe (27).
Linesmen-Curtis Funk (117), Derek Nernberg (139).

Saturday 5 November 2011

Postma back in the NHL

Defenceman Paul Postma who played parts of two seasons with the Hitmen (2007-08 to 2008-09) was called up by the NHL's Winnipeg Jets today.  Postma scored 23 goals in his final season in Calgary setting a franchise record for most goals in a season by a D-man.

He is in the Jets lineup tonight on the road in New Jersey wearing number 38.  It's his second career NHL game after suiting up once last season for the Atlanta Thrashers.  He finished the game with 13:37 of ice time and one shot on goal.

Calgary at Regina

VS. REGINA:  Tonight is the third of four meetings with the Pats.  The season series is tied 1-1.  Cody Sylvester (2g 1a) and Brooks Macek (1g 2a) both have three points against the Pats to lead the Hitmen while five different Pats have at least two points against Calgary.
Oct. 12 in Calgary; Pats 4 Hitmen 3 shootout.  The Pats rallied from two goals down in the final 2:50 to force overtime.
Oct. 20 in Regina; Hitmen 3 Pats 1.  Calgary jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead.  Danny Gayle led the way with 1g 1a.
                                                          INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on goal: Cal 60 Reg 48 Powerplays: Cal 3-12 (25%) Reg 2-10 (10%)
The Hitmen and Pats will play for the final time this season on December 16th in Calgary

STREAKS:  17-year-old rookie Calder Brooks (1g 3a) is on a four game point streak.

Brandon 5 Calgary 2

Brandon, MB – The Brandon Wheat Kings scored four unanswered goals en-route to a 5-2 home ice win over the Calgary Hitmen Friday night.

Brenden Walker opened the scoring for the Wheat Kings midway through the first period before Calgary rallied on a pair of shorthanded goals 40 seconds apart from Trevor Cheek and Joey Kornelsen to take a 2-1 lead.  Hitmen rookie forward Calder Brooks help set up the Kornelsen goal to extend his point scoring streak to three games.

The Wheat Kings tied the game in the second period when Ryan Pulock struck on the powerplay.

In the third period Brandon grabbed the lead scoring just 18 seconds into the final frame when Ottawa Senators prospect Mark Stone picked up a rebound.  Calgary Flames prospect Michael Ferland, who finished the night with four points (1g 3a), then added an insurance goal just past the eight minute mark scoring on the powerplay.

Walker, with his second goal of the night, rounded out the Wheat Kings scoring attack with an empty net marker.

Both teams finished the game with 27 shots on goal.

Calgary is now 6-8-0-1 on the season.  They return to action Saturday night in Regina before heading to Moose Jaw Sunday and Swift Current Tuesday.


Calgary Hitmen 2 at Brandon Wheat Kings 5
Friday, November 4, 2011 - Westman Place - Brandon, MB

Calgary 2 0 0 - 2
Brandon 1 1 3 - 5

1st Period
1, Brandon, Walker 5 (Ferland, Roy), 9:57.
2, Calgary, Cheek 5 (Macek, Kosterman), 14:39 (SH).
3, Calgary, Kornelsen 2 (Brooks, Roach), 15:19 (SH).
Penalties-Walker Bdn (boarding), 0:35; Rask Cal (tripping), 13:31; Kornelsen Cal (tripping), 16:30.

2nd Period
4, Brandon, Pulock 5 (Walker, Roy), 5:55 (PP).
Penalties-Walker Bdn (roughing), 0:29; Chase Cal (inter. on goaltender), 5:14; Humphries Cal (cross checking), 10:57; served by Trzonkowski Cal (too many men), 15:58.

3rd Period
5, Brandon, Stone 13 (Walker, Ferland), 0:18.
6, Brandon, Ferland 15 (Roy, Stone), 8:01 (PP).
7, Brandon, Walker 6 (Stone, Ferland), 19:41 (EN).
Penalties-Rask Cal (hooking), 7:30; Kuczek Bdn (high sticking), 13:01; Brassart Cal (10-minute misconduct), 19:41.

Shots on Goal-Calgary 8-10-9-27. Brandon 12-6-9-27.
Power Play Opportunities-Calgary 0 / 3; Brandon 2 / 6.
Goalies-Calgary, Driedger 5-4-0-1 (26 shots-22 saves). Brandon, Anderson 5-5-0-1 (27 shots-25 saves).
A-4,152
Referees-Cole Hamm (51), Brett Iverson (24).
Linesmen-Warren Birch (110), Bryden Hutlet (114).

Friday 4 November 2011

Calgary at Brandon

The Calgary Hitmen (6-7-0-1) play game three of their six game East Division road trip tonight in Brandon against the (10-5-0-1) Wheat Kings.  The Hitmen are coming off Wednesday's 4-1 loss in Saskatoon while Brandon has an extra days rest under their belt following Tuesday's 7-3 win in Swift Current. 

The Wheat Kings lineup boasts two of the top six scorers in the Western Hockey League.  Ottawa Senators prospect Mark Stone is tied for second with 32 points in 16 games while Flames prospect Michael Ferland has 25 points to sit alone in sixth.  Brandon also has the WHL's number one powerplay operating at 31.3%.  The Wheat Kings have scored the second most goals in the league this season, averaging 4.25 per game.

Tonight's broadcast can be heard live on Sportsnet960.ca starting at 6:30pm MST.

Top Scorers

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 4g 9a 13pts
Victor Rask 7g 5a 12pts
Brooks Macek 4g 7a 11pts
Jimmy Bubnick 5g 4a 9pts

Brandon
Mark Stone 12g 20a 32pts
Michael Ferland 14g 11a 25pts
Ryan Pulock 4g 14a 18pts
Eric Roy 2g 14a 16pts

HEAD-TO-HEAD:  Calgary is 3-4-0-0 on the road while Brandon is 3-2-0-1 at home.

INSIDE THE CREASE:  The Hitmen fired 40 shots and lost Wednesday in Saskatoon marking the eighth time this season they have hit the 30 shot mark.  Their record in those games is a combined  2-5-0-1.  Here is the breakdown starting with the most recent:
Saskatoon - Andrey Makarov 39 saves - Hitmen loss
Everett - Kent Simpson 39 saves - Hitmen win
Portland - Mac Carruth 36 saves - Hitmen loss
Regina - Matt Hewitt 33 saves - Hitmen shootout loss
Medicine Hat - Tyler Bunz 36 saves - Hitmen loss
Swift Current Austin Smith and John Groenheyde 37 saves - Hitmen win
Red Deer - Patrik Bartosak 32 saves - Hitmen loss
Lethbridge - Brandon Anderson 42 saves - Hitmen loss
Kootenay - Nathan Lieuwen 29 saves -Hitmen loss

Saskatoon 4 Calgary 1

Saskatoon, SK – Andrey Makarov made 39 saves in a first star performance backstopping the Saskatoon Blades to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen Wednesday night.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Josh Nicholls and Matej Stransky both had a goal and an assist to lead the Saskatoon offense.  Darren Dietz and Lukas Sutter also scored in the win.

Chase Clayton, with his first goal of the season, provided the lone Hitmen goal as Calgary hit one crossbar and three goal posts in the loss.

Calgary is now 6-7-0-1 on the season.

They return to action Friday night in Brandon before heading to Regina Saturday, Moose Jaw Sunday and Swift Current Tuesday.

The Hitmen are back home to host the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday, November 11th.  It’s the Remembrance Day game with a 7:00 p.m. start at Scotiabank Saddledome. 


Calgary Hitmen 1 at Saskatoon Blades 4
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 - Credit Union Centre - Saskatoon, SK

Calgary 0 0 1 - 1
Saskatoon 2 1 1 - 4

1st Period
1, Saskatoon, Dietz 3 (Olsen), 5:15.
2, Saskatoon, Stransky 8 (Nicholls, Dietz), 17:23.
Penalties-Sutherland Cal (kneeing), 9:59; Trask Sas (holding), 18:09; Cheek Cal (roughing), 19:03.

2nd Period
3, Saskatoon, Nicholls 11 (Stransky, Benson), 16:15.
Penalties-Olsen Sas (high sticking, high sticking), 3:20; Helgesen Cal (major-fighting), 7:41; Fafard Sas (major-fighting), 7:41.

3rd Period
4, Saskatoon, Sutter 4 (Paradis, Burns), 5:07.
5, Calgary, Clayton 1 (Chase, Brooks), 10:14.
Penalties-Sutherland Cal (major-fighting), 6:14; Elliott Sas (major-fighting), 6:14; Sutter Sas (tripping), 12:58; Bowman Cal (roughing), 17:31.

Shots on Goal
Calgary 11-11-18-40. Saskatoon 10-11-9-30.
Power Play Opportunities
Calgary 0 / 4; Saskatoon 0 / 3.
Goalies
Calgary, Driedger 5-3-0-1 (30 shots-26 saves). Saskatoon, Makarov 9-4-0-0 (40 shots-39 saves).
A-3,890
Referees-Adam Byblow (23), Chris Crich (80).
Linesmen-Jonny Bast (129), Jason Roy (94).

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Calgary at Saskatoon

The Calgary Hitmen (6-6-0-1) play game two of their six game East Division road trip tonight in Saskatoon against the (9-5-0-1) Blades.  Both teams played last night with Calgary winning 5-2 in Prince Albert while Saskatoon dropped a 2-1 decision in Regina to the Pats.

The Hitmen will be without forward Brady Brassart (3g 4a) who has received a one game suspension for his checking from behind major and game misconduct last night in Prince Albert.

It's the first of four meetings between the two teams.  The game will not only be broadcast on Sportsnet960 The Fan but also carried live on SHAW TV starting at 7:00 p.m. 

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Cody Sylvester 4g 9a 13pts
Victor Rask 7g 5a 12pts
Brooks Macek 4g 7a 11pts
Jimmy Bubnick 5g 4a 9pts
Alex Gogolev 4g 4a 8pts

Saskatoon
Josh Nicholls 10g 8a 18pts
Matej Stransky 7g 8a 15pts
Jesse Paradis 6g 7a 13pts
Michael Burns 7g 4a 11pts
Duncan Siemens 4g 7a 11pts

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Calgary 5 Prince Albert 2

Prince Albert, SK – The Calgary Hitmen scored four unanswered third period goals to erase a 2-1 deficit and post a 5-2 victory in Prince Albert Tuesday night.

Jimmy Bubnick led the scoring attack for the visitors picking up his first hat-trick of the season.

Calder Brooks, with his first goal in the Western Hockey League, and Cody Sylvester also scored for Calgary who opened a six game East Division road trip.

The Brooks goal triggered the Hitmen comeback.  With his team trailing 2-1 and killing a five minute major to Brady Brassart, the 17-year-old rookie struck shorthanded just 18 seconds into the third period.

Collin Bowman and Alex Roach chipped in a pair of assists for Calgary while goaltender Chris Driedger made 28 saves to record the win.

Calgary is now 6-6-0-1 on the season. 

They return to action tomorrow night in Saskatoon to face the Blades in their first meeting of the season.

Calgary Hitmen 5 at Prince Albert Raiders 2

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 - Art Hauser Centre - Prince Albert, SK

Calgary 1 0 4 - 5
Prince Albert 1 1 0 - 2

1st Period
1, Calgary, Bubnick 3 (Brassart, Sylvester), 7:51 (PP).
2, Prince Albert, Maylan 9 (Tochkin, Corbin), 15:59.
Penalties-Gayle Cal (interference), 3:55; Ruopp P.a (elbowing), 6:56.

2nd Period
3, Prince Albert, Tochkin 1 (Vanscourt, Maylan), 15:06.
Penalties-Sylvester Cal (high sticking), 9:24; Brooks Cal (hooking), 10:33; Yaworski P.a (holding), 14:15; Gogolev Cal (inter. on goaltender), 14:37; Brassart Cal (major-check/behind, game misconduct), 19:55.

3rd Period
4, Calgary, Brooks 1 (Bowman), 0:18 (SH).
5, Calgary, Bubnick 4 (Roach, Bowman), 7:52.
6, Calgary, Bubnick 5   11:27.
7, Calgary, Sylvester 4 (Macek, Roach), 11:59. Penalties-No Penalties

Shots on Goal
Calgary 7-9-11-27. Prince Albert 6-13-11-30.

Power Play Opportunities
Calgary 1 / 2; Prince Albert 0 / 5.

Goalies
Calgary, Driedger 5-2-0-1 (30 shots-28 saves). Prince Albert, Williams 3-8-1-1 (24 shots-19 saves); Holowenko 1-5-0-0 (3 shots-3 saves).

A-1,988

Referees-Derek Zalaski (8).
Linesmen-Javan Bexson (130), Greg Chornohus (127).

Calgary at Prince Albert

The Calgary Hitmen (5-6-0-1) open a six game East Division road trip tonight in Prince Albert against the Raiders (4-12-1-1).  The Hitmen are coming off Saturday's 3-1 home ice win over Everett.  The victory snapped a two game slide and saw Calgary fire over 40 shots in a contest for the third time this season.  The Raiders meanwhile also last played on Saturday, but they dropped a 4-3 home ice decision to Saskatoon.  The loss was their fifth straight, a season high.  Calgary sits just one point ahead of Prince Albert for 10th in the Eastern Conference, but the Hitmen have played six fewer games. 

Tonight's broadcast is internet only on Sportsnet 960 The Fan and starts at 7:00 p.m.  Click here to listen

Top Scorers:

Calgary
Victor Rask 7g 5a 12pts
Cody Sylvester 3g 8a 11pts
Brooks Macek 4g 6a 10pts
Alex Gogolev 4g 4a 8pts

Prince Albert
Justin Maylan 8g 13a 21pts
Brandon Herrod 6g 9a 15pts
Mark McNeill 4g 10a 14pts
Mike Winther 7g 5a 12pts

STREAKING:  Cody Sylvester (1g 1a) has points in back-to-back games.

WORK LOAD:  Chris Driedger has made six straight starts in goal.

POWERPLAY IMPROVEMENT:  After starting the season 1-17 (5.9%) on the powerplay, the Hitmen have gone 11-43 (25.6%) over their last eight games.

KILLING TIME:  The Hitmen penalty kill, which gave up eight goals in the first five games to start the season, has also seen a major improvement.  It's surrendered just four goals over the last six games.

WHL TOP 10:  Hitmen goalie Chris Driegder owns the fifth best goals against average in the WHL at 2.03.  His .925 save percentage is also fifth best.  Hitmen center Victor Rask is tied for eighth in rookie scoring with 12 points.  His seven goals is the second most of any first year player while his three powerplay goals is also number two among rookies.