Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, March 23 at Lethbridge
March 23, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN at LETHBRIDGE HURRICANES
Game 2 of best-of-seven series. Lethbridge leads 1-0.
Saturday, March 23, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. MT - ENMAX Centre
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen are in Lethbridge tonight for Game 2 of their best-of-seven opening round playoff series against the Hurricanes.
Lethbridge took the opener last night when Calen Addison scored 5:43 into overtime. Nick Henry and Dylan Cozens also scored for Lethbridge which erased deficits of 1-0 and 2-1. Mark Kastelic and Devan Klassen, both with their first career playoff markers, replied for Calgary. Final shots were 33-33 as Carl Tetachuk made 31 saves in the Hurricanes net and Jack McNaughton recorded 30 stops for the Hitmen. Lethbridge went 0-4 on the power play with Calgary finishing 0-1.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Webcast: WHL Live at whl.neulion.com
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STREAKS
- None
NOTEWORTHY
HITMEN PLAYOFF TICKETS: After tonight's Game 2, the series shifts to Calgary for Games 3 and 4. Game 3, presented by Real Canadian Superstore, is Tuesday, Mar. 26, with Game 4 on Thursday, Mar. 28. Both are 7:00 p.m. starts at Scotiabank Saddledome. Hitmen playoff tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.ca, HitmenHockey.com or at the Scotiabank Saddledome Box Office. Twelve-game playoff packages are available for $199. Single game tickets start at $22.49 for adults, $12.99 for kids 12 and under and group tickets for $15.00 plus applicable fees and taxes. Also available is the Calgary Co-op Family Playoff Pack which includes four tickets, four hot hogs, four soft drinks and one popcorn for $74.99. This deal can be purchased at all Calgary Co-op locations. Game 6, if necessary, will also be played at the 'Dome on Sunday, Mar. 31 at 4:00 p.m. Sunday Funday pricing, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill, will be in effect and includes face painters and a post-game family skate that is FREE with a game ticket.
2019 WHL Playoffs: Round 1 Schedule:
The Hitmen and Hurricanes opening round playoff series is a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
Lethbridge has home-ice advantage.
Game 1 'Canes 3 Hitmen 2 OT LET leads series 1-0 ENMAX Centre, Lethbridge
Game 2 Saturday, March 23 7:00 p.m. ENMAX Centre, Lethbridge
Game 3 Tuesday, March 26 7:00 p.m. Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
Game 4 Thursday, March 28 7:00 p.m. Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
Game 5* Saturday, March 30 7:00 p.m. Nicholas Sheran Arena, Lethbridge
Game 6* Sunday, March 31 4:00 p.m. Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
Game 7* Tuesday, April 2 7:00 p.m. Nicholas Sheran Arena, Lethbridge
*If necessary
SHOT CLOCK: Carson Focht led all Hitmen with six shots on goal in Game 1. Mark Kastelic and Josh Prokop were next with four. Calen Addison topped all Hurricanes with five shots on goal. Nick Henry and Ty Prefontaine both recorded four.
FACE-OFF CIRCLE: Calgary went a combined 54-86 in on draws in the series opener, clicking at 62.8%. Mark Kastelic led the way with 26 face-off wins.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: 2019 marks the fifth time in league history the Hitmen and Hurricanes square off in a playoff series. Calgary has won three of the previous four.
2005: CGY 4 LET 1 - Hitmen led by Ryan Getzlaf (8pts), Andrew Ladd (6pts) and Justin Pogge 1.29 GAA
2006: CGY 4 LET 2 - Hitmen led by Fredrik Pettersson (7pts), Craig Lineker (7pts) and Justin Pogge 2.97 GAA
2008: LET 4 CGY 0 - Canes led by Mitch Fadden (7pts), Zach Boychuk (6pts) and Juha Metsola 1.73 GAA
2009: CGY 4 LET 0 - Hitmen led by Brandon Kozun (7pts), Kyle Bortis (7pts) and Martin Jones 1.00 GAA
POST-SEASON EXPERIENCE: The Hitmen have a combined 158 games of playoff experience. Kaden Elder leads all players with 47 post-season games played. He also tops all Hitmen in playoff points with 10.
HITMEN CAREER PLAYOFF LEADERBOARD:
Games Played: Michael Stone 62
Goals: Pavel Brendl 35
Assists: Brandon Kozun and Brad Moran 48
Points: Brad Moran 82
Wins: Martin Jones 32
PLAYOFF RECORD: Calgary has a lifetime playoff record of 131-106. The Hitmen have competed in 43 series prior to this one. They have won 26 and lost 17. Calgary is 30-20 all-time in post-season overtime games.
VS. LETHBRIDGE: The Hitmen and Hurricanes met six times in the regular season. Lethbridge won five of the meetings with the two teams combining for 59 goals. Mark Kastelic (5g, 4a) was Calgary's top scorer with nine points against the 'Canes while Kaden Elder (4g, 2a), Jake Kryski (1g, 5a) and Vladislav Yeryomenko (1g, 5a) all had six. Jordy Bellerive (7g, 6a) was the top 'Cane with 13 points while Jake Elmer (4g, 6a) was next with 10.
2018-19 SERIES RECAP
Oct. 12/18 in CGY: CGY 6 LET 5...Mark Kastelic led Calgary with two goals and an assist.
Oct. 26/18 in CGY: LET 7 CGY 6... Zach Cox scored with 6:34 remaining to snap a 6-6 tie.
Nov. 9/18 at LET: LET 4 CGY 2...The Hitmen lost despite holding Lethbridge to 19 shots.
Dec. 16/18 in CGY: LET 6 CGY 4...Jordy Bellerive led the 'Canes with three points (2g, 1a).
Feb. 13/19 at LET: LET 6 CGY 2...The Hurricanes scored five times in the first period.
Mar. 9/19 at LET: LET 7 CGY 4...Jordy Bellerive tallied five points (2g, 3a).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 199 LET 181 Power Plays: CGY 4-20 (20%) LET 5-22 (22.7%)
SCORING DEPTH: For the first time since the 2013-14 season, Calgary had four players with 25 or more goals in a regular season with Mark Kastelic (47), James Malm (34), Kaden Elder (27) and Carson Focht (26). In 2013-14 they were Jake Virtanen (45), Brady Brassart (35), Greg Chase (35) and Pavel Padakin (27).
ROSTER MOVES: On Thursday the Hitmen recalled 2018 first-round pick Sean Tschigerl from OHA Edmonton Prep in the CSSHL. The 15-year-old has appeared in eight regular season games with the Hitmen this season during three different recalls. Tschigerl tallied 47 points (21g, 26a) in 28 games with Edmonton during the regular season before adding four more points (1g, 3a) in five playoff games.
PROMO CALENDAR
& TICKET INFO
Upcoming home game highlights include:
- Tuesday, Mar. 26 vs. LET, Game 3 of the Hitmen 2019 WHL Playoffs presented by Real Canadian Superstore
- Hitmen playoff tickets are on sale now and can be bought through Ticketmaster.ca, HitmenHockey.com or at the Scotiabank Saddledome Box Office.
- Twelve-game playoff packages are available for $199. Single game tickets start at $22.49 for adults, $12.99 for kids 12 and under and group tickets for $15.00 plus applicable fees and taxes.
- Also available is the Calgary Co-op Family Playoff Pack which includes four tickets, four hot hogs, four soft drinks and one popcorn for $74.99. This deal can be purchased at all Calgary Co-op locations.
- Game 6, if necessary, will also be played at the 'Dome on Sunday, Mar. 31 at 4:00 p.m. Sunday Funday pricing, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill, will be in effect and includes face painters and a post-game family skate that is FREE with a game ticket.
PLAYOFF MILESTONE WATCH
- Kaden Elder is three games shy of 50.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2019
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- Hanas Scores First Career Goal as Chiefs Take 1-0 Series Lead - Spokane Chiefs
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- Raiders Blank Rebels In Game 1 - Prince Albert Raiders
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