Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, March 3 vs. Regina
Published on March 3, 2018 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN (19-35-7-2, 47 pts.) vs. REGINA PATS (33-25-5-1, 72 pts.)
Saturday, March 3, 2018 - 7:00 p.m. MT - Scotiabank Saddledome
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen open a mini two-game home stand tonight against the Regina Pats. Tonight's game sponsor is Ashley HomeStore. Calgary is coming off last night's 4-3 overtime loss in Edmonton. Colton Kehler scored the winner 18 seconds into the extra session. The Oil Kings forced overtime when Tomas Soustal tipped home the tying goal with 34.8 seconds remaining in regulation. Kobe Mohr on a power play and Trey Fix-Wolansky shorthanded also scored for Edmonton. Zach Huber, Jake Kryski and Jakob Stukel provided the Calgary scoring building a 3-0 second period lead. For Huber, it was his first career goal in the Western Hockey League. The home team has now won all four games in the season series. Both sides finished the night with 29 shots on goal. The Hitmen have at 47 points, one point up on Edmonton for fifth in the Central Division. The Pats are fourth in the East Division with 72 points, one point back of Brandon. Tonight is Regina's first game since last Saturday's 3-2 loss in Moose Jaw.
HITMEN BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Webcast: WHL Live at whl.neulion.com
________________________________
STREAKS
- Jakob Stukel (6g, 6a) is riding a seven-game point streak.
- Jake Kryski (5g, 7a) has points in six consecutive games.
- Conner Chaulk (1g, 1a) has points in back-to-back games.
- Nick Schneider has started three straight games in goal.
- Riley Stotts (2g) saw his two-game goal scoring streak snapped last night in Edmonton.
NOTEWORTHY
VS. REGINA: Tonight is the fourth and final regular season meeting between the Hitmen and Pats. Regina leads the season series 3-0 outscoring Calgary by a combined 16-6. Vladislav Yeryomenko (4a) tops the Hitmen with four points against the Pats while the departed Jake Bean (3a) has three. Josh Mahura (2g, 4a) is the top-performing Pat with six points with Sam Steel (2g, 3a) next with five. Calgary is 3-2-2-0 in their last seven home games against Regina.
2017-18 SERIES RECAP
Nov. 15/17 at REG: REG 4 CGY 3...The Pats built a 3-1 second period lead.
Dec. 3/17 at CGY: REG 4 CGY 1...Bryan Lockner led the Pats with three points (1g, 2a).
Jan. 13/18 at REG: REG 8 CGY 2...Anaheim Ducks prospect Josh Mahura tallied five points (1g, 4a).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 81 REG 117 Power Plays: CGY 4-14 (28.6%) REG 2-11 (18.2%)
GO TIME: Today is the fourth of five games in six days for Calgary. The Hitmen will then play their next five games in span of eight days.
DOWN TO THE WIRE: Calgary has suffered 19 losses by a single goal this season. Ten have been in regulation, seven in overtime and two in the shootout.
DID YOU KNOW?: Luke Coleman is the only Hitmen skater to appear in all 63 games this season...Jakob Stukel has reached the 30 goal mark for the second time in his career. With 32 goals, he is two shy of his career high of 34 scored during the 2015-16 season...Calgary has been to overtime 16 times this season including four times in their last 12 outings.
WHAT'S LEFT: Including today, of Calgary's nine remaining regular season games four are at home with five on the road.
NHL WATCH: NHL Central Scouting has named four Hitmen among the top players available for the 2018 NHL Draft. Vladislav Yeryomenko, Riley Stotts, Egor Zamula and Carson Focht are all on the midterm rankings among North American skaters. Yeryomenko is number 79, Stotts 88, Zamula 100 and Focht 200. The 2018 NHL Draft is June 22-23 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Calgary's power play is 20th in the WHL at 17.6%. The penalty kill is 16th at 77.6. The Hitmen have also scored 12 shorthanded goals which has them tied with Victoria for sixth most in the league.
THE OLYMPIC FIVE: Two former Calgary Hitmen forwards won medals in men's hockey at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. Brooks Macek struck silver for Germany as they lost in overtime to the Olympic Athletes from Russia in the gold medal game. Brandon Kozun and Team Canada won bronze after beating the Czech Republic 6-4.
POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: Following today's game fans can meet forward and alternate captain Luke Coleman at the Hitmen Booster Club table located behind section 212 on the concourse.
PROSPECT REPORT: Ryder Korczak, Calgary's second-round pick in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft is playing AAA Midget with the Yorkton Rawtec Maulers. The 15-year-old forward has 34 points (12g, 22a) in 42 games. Korczak was called up to the Hitmen as an affiliate player during a quick three-game road swing back in January. He also suited up for Team Saskatchewan in the WHL Cup in October. With the Yorkton Bantam AA Terriers last season, Korczak tallied 83 points in 30 contests.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Conner Chaulk is in his third season in the Western Hockey League and first with Calgary. Last season the 20-year-old from Regina, SK., took home the Swift Current Broncos Humanitarian Award. His 15 goals this season are a new career high.
PROMO CALENDAR
Hitmen single game tickets are available at Ticketmaster and the 'Dome box office. Upcoming home game highlights include:
- TODAY vs. REG - Game Sponsor - Ashley HomeStore
- Multicultural Day presented by Cornerstone on Mar. 4 vs. RD
- Fan Appreciation Day and Player Awards presented by Vision Travel on Mar. 18 vs. EDM
CAREER MILESTONES
- Jakob Stukel needs two goals for 100 while Mark Kastelic is two assists away from 50.
- Nick Schneider is two games shy of 200 after surpassing 5,000 saves on Wednesday in Red Deer.
- Luke Coleman needs six points for 100.
- Jake Kryski eclipsed 100 career assists Tuesday against Swift Current after reaching 150 points Feb. 21 against Red Deer.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2018
- Three-Goal Third Lifts Raiders To Win Over 'Canes - Prince Albert Raiders
- Pats Knock off Calgary in OT - Regina Pats
- Sound Defence Propels Broncos in Bounce Back Win - Swift Current Broncos
- Blades Drop Fourth Straight against League's Best - Saskatoon Blades
- Game Day Preview: Blades Backs against the Wall Heading into Moose Jaw - Saskatoon Blades
- Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland at Tri-City - Portland Winterhawks
- Jersey Draw March 3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Weinger Inks AHL Contract - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game 65 vs. Red Deer - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, March 3 vs. Regina - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Kick off Alberta Swing in Calgary Saturday - Regina Pats
- Giants Fall in Kamloops - Vancouver Giants
- Silvertips Overcome Kelowna Late - Everett Silvertips
- Hawks Fall in Shootout After Third Period Comeback - Portland Winterhawks
- Royals Lock up Playoff Spot Despite OT Loss - Victoria Royals
- Rebels Snare Crucial Shootout Win over Visiting Ice - Red Deer Rebels
- Broncos Win Streak at Home Ends, Fall 5-4 in Shootout - Swift Current Broncos
- Andrusiak Leads T-Birds to Shootout Win over Portland - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Rockets Doubled up at Everett 4-2 - Kelowna Rockets
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.
