Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, February 1 vs. Brandon
Published on February 1, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY CENTENNIALS (25-19-3-1, 54 pts.) vs. BRANDON WHEAT KINGS (21-19-3-4, 49 pts.)
Friday, February 1, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. MT - Stampede Corral
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen open "The Corral Series" tonight, presented by Adrenalin Source for Sports, as they welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the Stampede Corral. As a tribute to the city's hockey history, the Hitmen are dedicating each game of the Feb. 1, 6 and 8 series to former local teams who once called the Corral home by wearing commemorative jerseys of the Calgary Centennials, Wranglers and Cowboys. Those jerseys and game worn socks will be sold at elevateauctions.com with net proceeds to the Hitmen Education Fund. In-game announcing and written content will also be branded to salute those teams on game days. Tonight is Centennials night with the former line of Danny Gare, Mike Rogers and Jerry Holland to take part in a ceremonial opening face-off. The night includes a pre and post-game party at BMO Centre Hall A. Take advantage of happy hour pricing from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. with $1.50 off all drinks. Then from 9:30 - 11:30 p.m. enjoy a live performance by country singer Trevor Panczak. Entrance to both parties is free with the purchase of a Feb. 1 game ticket.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Webcast: WHL Live at whl.neulion.com
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STREAKS
- James Malm (4g, 4a) is riding a six-game point streak.
- Cael Zimmerman (2g, 2a) has points in four consecutive games.
- Kaden Elder (2g, 4a) is riding a three-game point streak.
- Mark Kastelic (2g, 2a), Riley Stotts (3a), Carson Focht (2g, 1a), Luke Coleman (1g, 1a), Jackson van de Leest (2a) and Egor Zamula (2a) all have points in back-to-back games.
- Jack McNaughton is 3-0 in his last three starts with a 1.33 goals against average and a .950 save percentage.
NOTEWORTHY
CORRAL SERIES TICKET INFO: Individual game tickets start at $29.25 for adults and $21.75 for kids (plus applicable fees and taxes). Other offers are the family pack including two adult and two kids tickets starting at $80 (plus GST) and the group package for as low as $22.50 for adults and $17.50 for kids (plus GST). Also available is the three-game pack for $74.25 for adults and $59.25 for kids (plus applicable fees and taxes).
GET YOUR PROGRAM: Fans will be able to purchase a special collectable program for tonight's game at a cost of $2. Each program will contain a lineup and feature stories along with a number for prize draws.
LAST GAME RECAP: Powered by a four-goal first period, the Calgary Centennials extended their winning streak to four games on Wednesday night with a 6-2 triumph in Swift Current. James Malm led the way with three points, scoring twice and adding a helper with Kaden Elder tallying a goal and an assist. Riley Stotts also picked up a pair of points, both assists. Cael Zimmerman, Layne Toder and Luke Coleman rounded out the scoring for the visitors. Calgary outshot Swift Current 43-32 as 16-year-old rookie goaltender Brayden Peters made 30 saves, including a second period penalty shot, to pick up the victory in his Western Hockey League debut.
PLAYOFF CHASE: With 20 games to go in the regular season, the Calgary Centennials are five points ahead of the Brandon Wheat Kings for the final Eastern Conference Wildcard spot. Looking up, the Centennials trail both Medicine Hat and Lethbridge by four points for a share of third place in the Central Division.
VS BRANDON: Tonight is the second of four meetings between the Centennials and Wheat Kings. Calgary took the opener in mid-October in Manitoba. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak to Brandon. Mark Kastelic (2g), Carson Focht (2a) and Egor Zamula (2a) lead the Centennials with two points each in the season series while Baron Thompson tops the Wheat Kings with a goal and an assist. The two teams will meet again in just over two weeks on Wednesday, Feb. 20 in Brandon.
2018-19 SERIES RECAP
Oct. 20/18 in BDN: CGY 4 BDN 3 OT...Mark Kastelic netted the winner 45 seconds into the extra session.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 33 BDN 31 Power Plays: CGY 3-4 (75%) BDN 0-1 (0%)
STAMPEDE CORRAL HISTORY: Made of reinforced steel and concrete, the building was constructed in 1950 to replace the Victoria Arena which was deemed a fire hazard. When it opened on Dec. 15, 1950 it was the largest arena west of Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. The grand opening hockey game was held on December 26, 1950 when the Calgary Stampeders beat the Edmonton Flyers 5-0 in front of 8,338 people. On opening night, hockey fans got to vote on the name of the new arena. Choices were: The Coliseum, The Corral, Stampede Gardens, The Stampedium, The Teepee, Rodeodrome. Over the years the Stampede Corral has played host to several major events including hockey, ice shows, circuses, indoor soccer, basketball, rock concerts, rodeo, art shows, tiger wrestling and car shows.
- -Roy Rodgers was the most successful show ever with 10 sold out performances in 1962.
- -The Corral was home to the Flames from 1980-83 (133 games).
- -World Figure Skating Championships in 1972.
- -Winter Olympic Hockey in 1988.
- -Special wrestling super shows promoted by Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling.
BOUNCING BACK: Since starting the season 0-5-1-0, the Calgary Centennials have gone 25-14-2-1.
FAST FACTS: The last time the Calgary Hitmen played a game at the Stampede Corral was on April 1, 2016 against the Red Deer Rebels. It was Game 4 of their first-round playoff series. The Rebels won 2-0 behind goals from Luke Philp and Jake DeBrusk. Trevor Martin made 30 saves for the shutout...Calgary is 9-5-1-0 against teams from the East Division...The Centennials' are the fourth highest scoring team in the league averaging 3.67 goals per game...Tonight is Calgary's fourth game in six days. Tomorrow ends a stretch of five games in seven nights.
ROSTER MOVES: On Thursday, the Calgary Centennials recalled affiliate player Sean Tschigerl and reassigned Orca Wiesblatt. The 15-year-old Tschigerl has been playing midget in the CSSHL this season with OHA Edmonton Prep. In 26 games, he has 44 points including 18 goals. It's his second appearance with the Centennials this season after making his WHL debut on Friday, Jan. 4 against Red Deer. Wiesblatt returns to the MJHL's with the Portage Terriers after playing the last four games with the Centennials.
WHL TOP 15: Mark Kastelic is fourth in the WHL in goals with 32 while his 16 power play markers lead the league. Egor Zamula is tied for sixth in defencemen scoring with 41 points. Dakota Krebs is eighth in plus/minus among defenceman at +23.
HOME AND AWAY COMPARISON: The Calgary Centennials are 14-8-2-0 at home this season while Brandon is 8-10-2-2 on the road.
CENTENNIALS MONTH-BY-MONTH: September (0-3-1-0), October (4-6-1-0), November (6-5-0-1), December (6-2-1-0), January (9-3-0-0).
NHL ATTENTION: NHL Central Scouting has named two Calgary Centennials and one prospect among the top skaters available for the 2019 NHL Draft. Defenceman Jackson van de Leest along with forwards Mark Kastelic and Quinn Olson are all ranked among North American skaters. The 17-year-old van de Leest is among the ice time leaders on the Centennials blueline. He makes the list at 145. Olson is ranked 154 with his rights acquired by the Centennials in a Jan. 10, 2019 trade from the Prince Albert Raiders. The 17-year-old forward is currently playing in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the Okotoks Oilers where he is tied for second in team scoring with 55 points (19g, 36a) in 43 games. Kastelic, the 19-year-old Centennials captain, is ranked at 196.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: Carl Stankowski (week-to-week, lower body), Jake Kryski (indefinite, upper body). Hunter Campbell (indefinite, lower body), Josh Prokop (indefinite, 2-3 weeks).
UPCOMING GAMES
All times in MT. Schedule subject to change.
DATE OPPONENT TIME BROADCAST
Feb. 2 at Red Deer 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Feb. 6 vs. Regina 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Feb. 8 vs. Prince Albert 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Feb. 10 vs. Moose Jaw 4:00 p.m. Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Feb. 13 at Lethbridge 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet 960-The Fan
PROMO CALENDAR
Upcoming home game highlights include:
- The Corral Series - Presented by Adrenalin Source for Sports on Feb.1 vs. BDN, Feb. 6 vs. REG and Feb. 8 vs. PA.
- Family Game and Sunday Funday presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Feb. 10 vs. MJ
- Lunar Celebration/Calgary Catholic on Feb. 15 vs. MH
- TELUS BE BRAVE on Feb. 27 vs. SC
- Multicultural Night on Mar. 1 vs. BDN
- WHL Suits up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation - Presented by RE/MAX and Sunday Funday presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Mar. 3 vs. KTN
- One Ticket, One Tree on Mar. 8 vs. EDM
- Fan Appreciation and Sunday Funday presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Mar. 17 vs. EDM
CAREER MILESTONE WATCH
- Kaden Elder is three games shy of 300.
- Riley Stotts is 3 points away from 100.
- Egor Zamula needs two assists for 50. Carson Focht is four assists away from 50.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 1, 2019
- Raiders Downed By Oil Kings - Prince Albert Raiders
- Visiting Blades Stop Pats - Regina Pats
- Corral Series Tickets Still Available at the Door Or Online - Calgary Hitmen
- Cougars Call up Top Prospect Craig Armstrong - Prince George Cougars
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Friday, February 1 vs. Brandon - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Host Saskatoon for Fifth Meeting with Blades - Regina Pats
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