WHL Calgary Hitmen

Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Monday, October 28 vs. Seattle

Published on October 28, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


CALGARY HITMEN (8-2-1-0, 17 pts.) vs. SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS (4-5-2-1, 11 pts.)

Monday, October 28, 2019 - 6:00 p.m. MT - Scotiabank Saddledome

TODAY'S GAME

The Calgary Hitmen open a five-game homestand tonight as they welcome the Seattle Thunderbirds to Scotiabank Saddledome for a 6:00 p.m. start. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with kids invited to dress in their Halloween costume and trick-or-treat on the concourse at marked concessions. It's also Wizarding Night as fans are encouraged to wear their best wizard inspired costumes, try butter brew and take photos on platform 9 ¾. The Hitmen, winners of four in a row, are coming off yesterday afternoon's 5-4 overtime triumph against the Pats in the Prairie Classic outdoors at Mosaic Stadium. Regina product Carson Focht netted the game winner in his hometown, scoring 59 seconds into the extra frame. Mark Kastelic tallied a pair of goals with Jonas Peterek and Luke Prokop completing the Calgary scoring. Austin Pratt, Robbie Holms, Logan Nijhoff and Nikita Sedov replied for Regina. Calgary outshot the Pats 48-27 with Jack McNaughton making 23 saves to record the win.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Radio: Sportsnet 960-The Fan

Webcast: WHL Live at whllive.com

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STREAKS

- Mark Kastelic (8g, 3a) is riding a seven-game point streak.

- Jonas Peterek (3g, 4a) and Riley Stotts (3g, 5a) are on five-game streaks.

- Carson Focht (5g) is on a four-game goal scoring streak.

- Jett Woo (3a) has points in back-to-back games.

- Egor Zamula (4g, 11a) has at least a point in 10 of his 11 games this season.

NOTEWORTHY VS. SEATTLE: This is the first and only regular season meeting of 2019-20 between the Hitmen and Thunderbirds. Calgary recorded 5-2 victory in their lone battle last season on Nov. 23, 2018 in Kent. Mark Kastelic and Luke Coleman both scored twice with Coleman adding an assist for a team leading three points. Carson Focht supplied the other Hitmen marker on a night where goaltender Carl Stankowski returned to Seattle to make 24 saves against his former team. The Hitmen penalty killers played a huge role killing all seven shorthanded situations including a 5-on-3 for 1:31. Kaden Elder and Jackson van de Leest both chipped in a pair of assists. Tonight is Seattle's first visit to Scotiabank Saddledome since Oct. 28, 2017 when the T-Birds posted a 4-3 win. With the game appeared headed for overtime, Austin Strand netted the winner with 42 seconds remaining.

INSIDE THE STREAK: Calgary enters tonight having won four games in a row which ties a season high. During their current run they have outscored the opposition by a combined score of 22-12. Of note, 19 of the goals have come at even strength with two on the power play and one shorthanded.

HOME AND AWAY: Calgary is 5-1 at home this season while Seattle is 1-3-1-1 on the road.

ALUMNUS OF THE GAME: This season the Hitmen, in partnership with Adrenalin Source for Sports, are honouring an alumnus at each home game. Today's alumnus, Kyle Dumba appeared in 39 career games as a goaltender in parts of three seasons with the team from 20013-14 to 2016-17. He recorded over 700 saves while appearing in over 1,700 minutes. Dumba was a fourth-round pick by the Hitmen in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft.

WHL ACCOLADE: Hitmen forward Orca Wiesblatt is the WHL On the Run Player of the Week for the week ending October 20. The 19-year-old recorded six points (3G-3A) and a plus-one rating in three games, helping Calgary finish the week with a 2-1 record,

TRADE WINDS: On Tuesday, the Hitmen acquired 18-year-old forward Blake Allan from the Regina Pats in exchange for a conditional eighth-round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft. Allan, who made his Hitmen debut Friday in Moose Jaw, has appeared in 75 career games which began with Kootenay. He was a third-round pick of the ICE in 2016.

TEDDY BEAR TICKETS: Single game tickets for the ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss are on sale. Fans are encouraged to act fast to secure a seat to the world-famous toss set for Sunday, Dec. 1 at 4:00 p.m., when the Red Deer Rebels visit the 'Dome. Tickets start as low as $21.99 for adults and $12.99 for kids (plus applicable fees and taxes) and are available online at Ticketmaster.ca, in person at the Scotiabank Saddledome box. There is demand for over 24,000 teddy bears this holiday season to be shared by more than 60 local agencies. Since the inaugural toss on Dec. 16, 1995, the Hitmen, with the support of their partners and fans, have collected 377,583 stuffed toys for Calgary and area community groups.

2019 CIBC CANADA RUSSIA SERIES: Three Hitmen will play in the WHL leg of the CIBC Canada Russia Series. Carson Focht and Jett Woo have been named to Team WHL while Egor Zamula will suit up for Russia. The CIBC Canada Russia series opens next month with games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League before closing with a pair of games in the WHL; in Saskatoon on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and in Prince Albert on Thursday, Nov. 14.

FAST FACT: At 11 games, Calgary is tied with Victoria for the fewest games of any team in the WHL this season. On the flip side, Saskatoon and Vancouver have already played 16 times.

WORLD STAGE: Hitmen forward Sean Tschigerl will play for Hockey Canada at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge as a member of Canada Black. The eight-team tournament runs Nov. 2-9 in Medicine Hat, AB and Swift Current, SK. The 16-year-old will become the 29th player in franchise history to participate in the tournament joining fellow teammates Luke Prokop (2018), Jackson van de Leest (2017), Carson Focht (2016) and Riley Stotts (2016) who have also played in the international event. Focht won gold with Canada White while van de Leest helped Canada Red capture silver.

POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: Meet goaltender Brayden Peters after today's game against Seattle. Peters will be signing autographs at the Hitmen Booster Club table located behind section 212.

HITMEN PLEDGE: 'The Hitmen Pledge powered by ENMAX' is here. As part of the 25th anniversary season, this charitable initiative hopes to raise 25,000 hours of community service. Fans and members of the community are asked to take the pledge and donate 25 volunteer hours to a charitable cause. One lucky winner will receive $25,000 to gift to a registered Southern Alberta charity of their choice. Full details can be found at https://hitmenhockey.com/pledge.

HITMEN MONTH-BY-MONTH: September (3-0-1-0), October (5-2-0-0).

HITMEN ALUMNUS: Ryan Getzlaf, who played four seasons with the Hitmen from 2001-05, is in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks. The 33-year-old forward from Regina, SK has seven points (5g, 2a) in 13 games. Getzlaf has played 997 career NHL games registering 930 points.

BRET 'THE HITMAN' HART NIGHT: On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Hitmen will honour their namesake by hosting Bret 'The Hitman' Hart Night presented by Kal Tire. For one night only the Hitmen will wear specially designed jersey's inspired by Hart's ring attire. Fans can purchase a special $15 ticket with $5 directed to Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. This offer is available by visiting the event page at http://www.prostatecancercentre.ca/bret-the-hitman-hart-night/. The game includes a $20 pre-game concourse photo opportunity with Bret in an authentic WWE Wresting Ring. A tax receipt will be issued with proceeds to Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. As a tribute to the wrestling icon, the Hitmen and Prairie Wrestling Alliance will host a post-game wrestling card that is FREE with a game ticket. A wrestling ring will be set up on the ice for a four-match 'Battle in the Dome' with a special Bret Hart career retrospective live on the Energy Board.

UPCOMING GAMES All times in MT. Schedule subject to change. Date

Opponent Time Broadcast

Sat., Nov. 2 vs. SAS 7:00 PM Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)

Sun., Nov. 3 vs. EDM 2:00 PM Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)

Wed., Nov. 6 vs. PA 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan

Fri., Nov. 8 vs. TC 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan

Sat., Nov. 9 at EDM 7:00 PM Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)

PROMO CALENDAR

Hitmen single game tickets including The ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations. Upcoming home game highlights include: - Pre-game Trick or Treating at marked concessions on the concourse from 5 to 6pm & Wizarding Day, today, Oct. 28 vs. SEA

- Bret 'The Hitman' Hart Night presented by Kal Tire on Nov. 2 vs. SAS

- Tim Hortons Minor Hockey Day & Sunday Funday, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Nov. 3 vs. EDM

- Nov. 8 vs. TC is RE/MAX Chuck-A-Puck where four lucky participants will win a hot air balloon ride courtesy of RE/MAX - ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 1 vs. RD

- Carols for Christmas on Dec. 6 vs. EDM - Sunday Funday, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Dec. 8 vs. EVT - Sunday Funday, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Dec. 15 vs. LET - Soccer Day on Dec. 30 vs. EDM

MILESTONE WATCH - Mark Kastelic is one goal away from moving into a tie with Cody Sylvester for fifth place on the clubs all-time goal scoring list at 97 goals. Kastelic is also 15th on the all-time points list at 178, three back of Michael Stone who sits 14th with 181 points.

- Layne Toder is two games shy of 150 while Riley Stotts six games away from 200.

Check out the Calgary Hitmen Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from October 28, 2019


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