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Calgary Hitmen

Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, March 15 At Red Deer

March 15, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


The Hitmen have an opportunity to not only clinch a playoff spot, but make a move closer for third place in the Central Division.

Calgary (28-31-8-2) opens the final week of the regular season in Red Deer tonight against the Rebels (29-28-8-4).

It's the seventh and final meeting of the season between the Hitmen and Rebels, with the season series tied at 3 wins apiece.

Calgary is coming off a successful three-in-three weekend that saw the Hitmen win all three of their games in regulation.

Collecting those six points was vital for the Hitmen's post-season hopes. They are now three points ahead of the Saskatoon Blades for the final Eastern Conference wild-card playoff spot and four points behind the Red Deer Rebels for third in the Central Division.

"I think it was a realization for us that losing was definitely going to take the playoff picture out of the way for us," said Beck Malenstyn, who has points in each of the last three games. "I think we realized the urgency we needed in these games and we've definitely found it here recently."

The three win weekend was not only provided a boost in the standings, but a confidence boost as well.

"It's the challenge of any group to continue to push forward," said coach Mark French. "But there can't be a stop or a satisfaction of what we did on the weekend, there's got to be a momentum gain from what's happened and a confidence gain, but that confidence is an earned thing and it's got to be earned on a daily basis."

The last time the Hitmen visited Red Deer on Feb. 25, Calgary scored five goals in the third period and erased a three goal deficit for a 6-3 victory.

"It was a good comeback for us," said over-ager Tyler Mrkonjic. "I think that just shows as a team, even if we get down, we have a chance to get back and we're going to work out hardest to do that."

Last Meeting:

The day after the Hitmen's 6-3 comeback in Red Deer, the Rebels scored three unanswered goals in the third period in a 7-2 win at the Saddledome.

Radio: SPORTSNET960 The Fan (7 p.m.)

Web: WHL Live

Calgary Hitmen

Record: 28-31-8-2

Leading scorers: C Matteo Gennaro (42-33-74); LW Beck Malenstyn (28-23-51); LW Jakob Stukel (23-29-52)

Leading goaltender: Kyle Dumba (27GP, 6-9-2-1, 4.13 GAA, .858 SV%)

Power play: 18th - 17.5% Penalty kill: 20th - 74.2%

Red Deer Rebels

Record: 29-28-8-4

Leading scorers: C Michael Spacek (29-53-82), LW Brandon Hagel (27-36-63), LW Evan Polei (32-28-60)

Leading goaltender: Lasse Petersen (40GP, 17-15-4-0, 3.19 GAA, .897SV%)

Power play: 13th - 20.2%

Penalty kill: 17th - 76.0%

Season series

Oct. 21 - Calgary 1 @ Red Deer 4

Nov. 22 - Red Deer 3 @ Calgary 0

Dec. 9 - Red Deer 2 @ Calgary 3 OT

Jan. 18 - Red Deer 1 @ Calgary 4

Feb. 25 - Calgary 6 @ Red Deer 3

Feb. 26 - Red Deer 7 @ Calgary 2

Check out the Calgary Hitmen Statistics

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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