Calgary, AB - The 2009-10 Western Hockey League schedule continues with 23 games on tap for the first weekend of November.Many WHL teams will be busy growing mustaches throughout the month of November as part of "Movember", a month-long effort to raise money and awareness towards battle prostate cancer and other male cancers.
In Calgary, the Hitmen will be promoting their Movember efforts on Friday night when they host the Everett Silvertips. Hitmen fans, local media personalities, and all Calgarians are encouraged to join the Hitmen Movember Team.
The Edmonton Oil Kings, Medicine Hat Tigers, Swift Current Broncos are also growing mustaches in an effort to help the fight against prostate cancer.
In Chilliwack, the Bruins will mark Remembrance Day by donning Special Jerseys when they host the Vancouver Giants on Wednesday, November 11th.
In Kamloops, the Blazers will host their first Blueliner Breakfast of the season on Sunday. Fans can enjoy breakfast with their favorite Blazers players.
In Portland, it's Dash for Cash night when the Winterhawks host the Seattle Thunderbirds on Saturday night. The event will benefit the Oregon Humane Society.
In Vancouver, it's Country Music Night on Sunday when the Giants host the Edmonton Oil Kings, featuring a performance by The Higgins'
WESTERN CANADA UNDER-16 CHALLENGE CUP
The inaugural Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup took place in Blackfalds, AB, last weekend, with Team Alberta pulling off a thrilling 6-4 victory over Team Manitoba in the Championship game on Sunday, November 1st.
FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY, LIVE ON SHAW...
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the Red Deer Rebels host Dustin Sylvester and the Kootenay Ice for a Central Division match-up on Friday night.
Friday's contest between the Rebels and Ice can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW (7:30pm MST).
The Rebels are coming off a 3-0 shutout loss to the visiting Everett Silvertips on Saturday night, snapping a two-game win streak, and are an even 5-5 over their last 10 outings. Seven of the Rebels' eight wins this season have come on home ice. 16-year-old rookie Ryan Nugent-Hopkins leads the Rebels with 10 goals and ranks second with 19 points this season.
The Ice are coming off a 1-0 overtime victory over the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds on Sunday for their second straight victory, and currently sit two points behind Red Deer for fourth place in the Central Division. The Ice are 2-6 on the road this season. Sylvester (5g-7a) currently ranks third on the team in scoring with 12 points, but has just one goal in his last six games.
It's the second meeting of the season between the Ice and Rebels. The Rebels defeated the Ice 7-1 in Red Deer on September 19th in the first encounter. The teams will meet up again on Saturday night in Cranbrook, B.C.
KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS...
Vancouver Giants @ Tri-City Americans
Friday, November 6th
Brendan Shinnimin and the Tri-City Americans host Craig Cunningham and the Vancouver Giants for a battle between the top two teams in the Western Conference on Friday night.
The Americans skated to an 8-3 win in Kamloops over the Blazers on Tuesday for their third straight victory, and currently sit atop the U.S. Division and Western Conference with 28 points. The Americans have won all six of their home games this season. Shinnimin ranks third in the WHL with 30 points this season.
The Giants picked up a 4-0 shutout win in Portland over the Winterhawks on Wednesday for their second straight victory, and currently sit in first place in the B.C. Division and only one point behind the Americans for top spot in the Conference. The Giants have outscored their opponents 12-2 in their last two games. Cunningham is tied for fifth in the WHL with 28 points this season.
It's the second meeting of the season between the Giants and Ams. Tri-Cities posted a 5-3 win in Vancouver on October 17th in the first meeting.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE - November 6 - 8
All times local
WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL WEB TV
Friday, Nov. 6
Prince Albert @ Brandon; 7:30 Everett @ Calgary; 7:00 Edmonton @ Kamloops; 7:00 Chilliwack @ Kelowna; 7:00 Medicine Hat @ Moose Jaw; 7:00 Kootenay @ Red Deer; 7:30 *Live on SHAW* Saskatoon @ Regina; 7:00 Spokane @ Seattle; 7:35 Prince George @ Swift Current; 7:30 Vancouver @ Tri-City; 7:05
Saturday, Nov. 7
Medicine Hat @ Brandon; 7:30 Edmonton @ Chilliwack; 7:00 Kelowna @ Kamloops; 7:00 Red Deer @ Kootenay; 7:00 Swift Current @ Lethbridge; 7:30 Prince George @ Moose Jaw; 7:00 Seattle @ Portland; 7:00 Prince Albert @ Saskatoon; 7:05 Vancouver @ Spokane; 7:00
Sunday, Nov. 8
Swift Current @ Calgary; 5:05 Seattle @ Chilliwack; 5:00 Prince Albert @ Regina; 6:00 Edmonton @ Vancouver; 5:00
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