Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, November 30 at Edmonton
November 30, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN (14-6-2-1, 31 pts.) at EDMONTON OIL KINGS (15-6-4-2, 36 pts.)
Saturday, November 30, 2019 - 2:00 p.m. MT - Rogers Place
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen, riding a four-game winning streak, return to action this afternoon in Edmonton against the Oil Kings. The Hitmen are coming of last night's 4-1 win over the visiting Regina Pats. Captain Mark Kastelic led the charge with a trio of assists and now has nine points (4g, 5a) in three games against the Pats this season. Riley Stotts with a goal and an assist, Hunter Campbell shorthanded, Jonas Peterek and Carson Focht also found the back of the net for the Hitmen. Egor Zamula chipped in a pair of assists while every Hitmen skater recorded at least one shot on goal. Jett Woo led the way with five. Austin Pratt netted the lone goal for the Pats on a first period power play. Calgary outshot Regina 46-25 and received a 24 save performance from Jack McNaughton who picked up his ninth win of the season. Max Paddock made 42 stops in the loss.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Webcast: WHL Live at whllive.com
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STREAKS
- Egor Zamula (8a) and Jett Woo (2g, 4a) are both on five-game point streaks.
- Orca Wiesblatt (3g, 2a) has points in four consecutive games while Carson Focht (2g, 2a) is riding a three-game point streak.
- Goaltender Jack McNaughton has won his last four starts, posting a 1.72 goals against average and a .937 save percentage.
- Mark Kastelic (1g, 3a) and Jonas Peterek (2g) have points in back-to-back games.
- Riley Stotts (3g, 5a) has points in six of his last seven games.
NOTEWORTHY VS. EDMONTON: Today is the fifth of eight regular season meetings between the two clubs. Since Calgary grabbed the opener in September, the Oil Kings have won the last three. Carson Focht tops the Hitmen in the season series with seven points (4g, 3a). Mark Kastelic (2g, 2a), James Malm (2g, 2a) and Egor Zamula (1g, 3a) are next with four. Jake Neighbours (2g, 6a) is the top performer for Edmonton with eight points. Riley Sawchuk (1g, 6a) is next with seven. These Central Division rivals face each other again in six days at the 'Dome in the start of a home-and-home set.
2019-20 SERIES RECAP Sept. 27/19 in CGY: CGY 4 EDM 3 OT...Carson Focht (2g, 1a) and James Malm (1g, 2a) recorded three points each. Oct. 12/19 in EDM: EDM 6 CGY 4...The Oil Kings struck for four power play goals. Nov. 3/19 in CGY: EDM 3 CGY 2... David Kope broke a 2-2 third period tie with 54.5 seconds remaining. Nov. 9/19 in EDM: EDM 4 CGY 2... The Oil Kings held the Hitmen to just 15 shots.
INSIDE THE SERIES Shots on Goal: CGY 115 EDM 123 Power Plays: CGY 3-13 (23.1%) EDM 7-24 (29.2%)
FAST FACTS: Egor Zamula is tied for third among defencemen in league scoring with 25 points...Mark Kastelic is tied for sixth in goals in the WHL with 16 and shares the league lead with three shorthanded markers...Today against Edmonton starts of a stretch of four straight games for the Hitmen and 12 of their next 13 against teams from their own division...Calgary has scored four or more goals in each of their last six games.
GAME DATA: This is an Eastern Conference matchup; this season the Hitmen have a record of 13-5-1-1 against Eastern Conference foes and are 4-3-1-0 against the Central Division.
POINT PARADE: Calgary has recorded at least a point in eight of their last nine games posting a record of 6-1-1-1.
HOME AND AWAY COMPARISON: Calgary is 7-2-2-0 on the road this season, going 4-0-1-0 in their last five games away from the 'Dome. Edmonton is 7-3-0-1 at home. Today marks their first game at Rogers Place since a 2-2-1-0 five-game BC road trip. The Oil Kings last home date was 13 days ago when they fell 5-4 in a shootout to Brandon.
HITMEN MONTH-BY-MONTH: September (3-0-1-0), October (5-3-0-0), November (6-3-1-1).
MUCH IMPROVED: Calgary is 13 points ahead of their start through 23 games last season when they owned a record of 8-13-2-0.
BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND DEAL: The Hitmen are offering $12 tickets valid for all December games (excluding ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss). This includes: Dec. 6 vs. EDM, Dec. 8 vs. EVT, Dec. 15 vs. LET & Dec. 30 vs. EDM. Visit calgaryflames.com/tickets to score this deal - only valid until the end of Sunday, Dec. 1.
HITMEN PLEDGE: 'The Hitmen Pledge powered by ENMAX' is here. As part of the 25th anniversary season 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.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: James Malm (upper body, week-to-week), Riley Fiddler-Schultz (lower body, week-to-week), Tye Carriere (lower body, two-three weeks), Cael Zimmerman (lower body, indefinite).
ROSTER MOVES: On Friday the Hitmen added forward Wil Kushniryk to the roster as an affiliate player. The 19-year-old has split this season between the WHL's Tri-City Americans and BCHL's Prince George Spruce Kings. He broke into the WHL in 2017-18 with the Kelowna Rockets. Kushniryk made his Hitmen debut last night against Regina and recorded three shots on goal. On Monday the Hitmen returned 16-year-old forward Zac Funk to the Okanagan Rockets of the BCMML.
HITMEN IN THE COMMUNITY: This holiday season the Hitmen are once again partnering with the Calgary Zoo for ZOOLIGHTS. Hitmen players will visit the Zoo's outdoor rink on four occasions for public skating. The next visit is Tuesday, Dec. 3 when Hunter Campbell and Cael Zimmerman will pop in from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Jack McNaughton will then participate the following night at the same time on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Fans can take advantage of a special Hitmen/ZOOLIGHTS Family Pack. For $99.99 plus GST receive four Hitmen ticket vouchers and four ZOOLIGHTS tickets (2 Adults, 2 Child). Full details available at hitmenhockey.com/zoolights
TEDDY BEAR COUNTDOWN: Calgary returns to the ice tomorrow in the ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 4:00 p.m. against Red Deer. Doors open early at 2:30 p.m. to allow extra time for fans to get to their seat in time for the opening face-off. General admission tickets in the third level are available for only $9.99 for kids 12 and under and $14.99 for adults (plus applicable fees and taxes). They can be purchased at Ticketmaster, the Scotiabank Saddledome box office or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.
BEAR FACTS: This year marks the 25th anniversary of the toss in Calgary with the goal of taking back the world record for most bears in a single game. The AHL's Hershey Bears set a new mark last season with 34,798. The Calgary Zoo is the plush sponsor of the ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss. Calgary Zoo panda teddy bears can be purchased for $20 each at the 'Dome on game day at section 223, section 211 and inside the NE ticket entrance. Proceeds from every bear sold will be split evenly between the Calgary Zoological Society and the Calgary Hitmen Foundation. To keep all bears clean they must be placed in a bag before being tossed on the ice following the first Hitmen goal. Bags will be provided upon entrance. Sunday will mark the 25th anniversary of the ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss. Since its infancy in 1995, a total of 377,583 bears have been tossed. More than 70 local agencies will share the stuffed toys this holiday season including the Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary Food Bank and Salvation Army. If you are already attending the game, why not join our volunteer team after the game. The Hitmen are looking for people to help sort and count, and hours can be used for the Hitmen Pledge powered by ENMAX. If you are interested please email Amy Bontorin at abontorin@calgaryflames.com to add your name to the list and to receive additional details. All interested charities are encouraged to contact info@hitmenhockey.com to request their number of bears.
SIZABLE DONATION: The Hitmen have donated $16,317.75 to the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre through funds raised at the Bret 'The Hitman' Hart game presented by Kal Tire on Saturday, November 2. With the help of Hitmen and Prairie Wrestling Alliance fans, funds were collected through ticket sales, 50-50, FanAttic merchandise sales, an online game-worn and game-issued jersey auction, as well as a pre-game photo opportunity with Bret 'The Hitman' Hart in his WWE wrestling ring.
UPCOMING GAMES All times MT. Schedule subject to change.
Date Opponent Time Broadcast
Sun., Dec. 1 vs. RD 4:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Fri., Dec. 6 vs. EDM 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sat., Dec. 7 at EDM 7:00 PM Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Sun., Dec. 8 vs. EVT 4:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sun., Dec. 14 at LET 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
PROMO CALENDAR
Hitmen single game tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations. Upcoming home game highlights include: - ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss on Sun. Dec. 1 vs. RD
- Carols for Christmas on Fri. 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 Mon. Dec. 30 vs. EDM
CAREER MILESTONE WATCH - Jett Woo, who played career game 200 last Saturday in Moose Jaw, needs one assist for 100.
- Luke Prokop is one game away from 100.
- Dakota Krebs needs one point to reach 50.
- Egor Zamula, who is one point shy of 100, played game 150 on Nov. 20 in Regina.
- Mark Kastelic passed the 100 goal total Nov. 16 in Saskatoon and now has 104. Kastelic is also 14th on the clubs all-time points list with 192, one point behind Kenton Smith who holds 13th place.
Jack McNaughton needs 40 saves to pull even with Gerry Festa for 12th spot on the clubs all-time saves list.
Western Hockey League Stories from November 30, 2019
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- ICE Return Home and Look to Rebound vs the Wheat Kings - Winnipeg Ice
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- Game Day Hub: November 30 - Portland Winterhawks
- Full Team Effort Sees Blades Snatch Shootout Victory in Lethbridge - Saskatoon Blades
- Ams out Shoot Royals, Still Fall 3-1 - Tri-City Americans
- Nielsen's OT Winner Lifts the Giants to a Comeback Victory in Spokane - Vancouver Giants
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