WHL Calgary Hitmen

Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, November 2 vs. Saskatoon

Published on November 2, 2019 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


CALGARY HITMEN (8-3-1-0, 17 pts.) vs. SASKATOON BLADES (8-7-1-1, 18 pts.)

Saturday, November 2, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. MT - Scotiabank Saddledome

TODAY'S GAME

The Calgary Hitmen host the Saskatoon Blades tonight for Bret 'The Hitman' Hart Night presented by Kal Tire. The team will honour its namesake in a 7:00 p.m. start at Scotiabank Saddledome. For one night only the Hitmen will wear specially designed jerseys 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 from 6:00 to 6:40 p.m. in an authentic WWE Wresting Ring located behind section 226. A tax receipt will be issued with proceeds to Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. The MAN VAN will also be available for PSA screening both on the west tarmac outside Dutton's Lounge from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on the concourse from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. behind section 227. As a tribute to the wrestling icon, the Hitmen and Prairie Wrestling Alliance will host a 60 minute 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' Tribute Show with a special Bret Hart career retrospective live on the Energy Board. PWA Wrestlers are holding autograph sessions during both intermissions behind section 226 and all fans are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite wrestler for a chance to win prizes including four winter tires from Kal Tire. The first 2,000 people in the building will also receive a two-sided collector's card featuring a print of Bret on one side and a match card for the evenings wrestling show on the other.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)

Webcast: WHL Live at whllive.com

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STREAKS

- Mark Kastelic (8g, 3a) has at least a point in seven of his last eight games.

- Jonas Peterek (3g, 4a) and Riley Stotts (3g, 5a) have points in five of their last six outings.

- Carson Focht (5g) has scored in four of his last five games.

NOTEWORTHY VS. SASKATOON: Tonight is the second of four regular season meetings between the Hitmen and Blades. Saskatoon took the opener 20 days ago on Thanksgiving Day at the 'Dome. The road team has won each of their last five meetings. They face each other again two weeks from today on Saturday, Nov. 16 in Saskatoon.

2019-20 SERIES RECAP Oct. 14/19 at CGY: SAS 9 CGY 3...Eric Florchuk led the Blades with a hat-trick.

INSIDE THE SERIES Shots on Goal: CGY 41 SAS 32 Power Plays: CGY 0-5 (0%) SAS 3-6 (50%)

HOME AND AWAY: Calgary is 5-2 at home this season while Saskatoon is 5-5 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 is Bret Hart a founding owner of the team and inspiration for the Hitmen team nickname. The WWE Hall of Famer is a former 5X WWF World Heavyweight Champion, 5X WWE United States Heavyweight Champion, 2X WCW World Heavyweight Champion a WCW World Tagteam Champion along with 13 titles during his time with Stampede Wrestling.

LAST GAME RECAP: The Hitmen had their four-game winning streak halted on Monday at home against Seattle. The Hitmen outshot the T-Birds 34-28. The visitors did all their scoring less than three minutes into the first period scoring 33 seconds in a again at 2:54 on markers from winners of four in a row, are coming off yesterday afternoon's 5-4 overtime triumph against the Pats in the outdoor Prairie Classic 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.

FAST FACT: At 12 games, Calgary has played the fewest games of any team in the WHL this season. On the flip side, Saskatoon and Lethbridge have already played 17 times.

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 stop of the 2019 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.

WORLD STAGE: Hitmen forward Sean Tschigerl is with Canada Black at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The eight-team tournament co-hosted between Medicine Hat, AB and Swift Current, SK begins today and runs until Nov. 9. The 16-year-old is the 29th player in franchise history to participate in the tournament.

POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: Due to the post-game Battle in the Dome Tribute wrestling show tonight's post game autograph session has been cancelled. It will resume tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 3 when the Hitmen host Edmonton. 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 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 999 career NHL games registering 933 points. He is expected to play career game 1,000 on Sunday when the Ducks host Chicago on Sunday.

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

Opponent Time Broadcast

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)

Sat., Nov. 16 at SAS 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan

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: - 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 one game shy of 150 while Riley Stotts five games away from 200.

Check out the Calgary Hitmen Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2019


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