Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, November 9 at Edmonton
November 9, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN (9-5-1-1, 20 pts.) at EDMONTON OIL KINGS (12-2-3-1, 28 pts.)
Saturday, November 9, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. MT - Rogers Place
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen open a season long six-game road trip tonight in the provincial capital against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Both teams played last night and fell in a shootout. Edmonton dropped a 4-3 decision in Lethbridge while the Hitmen lost 4-3 on home ice to Tri-City. Cochrane, AB product Connor Bouchard scored the lone goal of the shootout to give the Americans the victory. He also supplied the tying goal with 21.7 seconds remaining to force extra time. In a game that went back and forth, Calgary themselves fought back in the third period erasing a 2-1 deficit in the final six minutes on markers from Mark Kastelic and Carson Focht. Kyle Olson and Nick Bowman rounded out the scoring for the Ams with Egor Zamula adding the other Hitmen marker. Calgary outshot Tri-City 49-38 on a night where both goaltenders were named among the three stars. Beck Warm made 46 saves for the Americans while Jack McNaughton turned aside 35 shots for the Hitmen.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Webcast: WHL Live at whllive.com
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STREAKS
- Josh Prokop (3a) is on a three-game point streak.
- Imports Egor Zamula (2g) and Jonas Peterek (1g, 1a) both have points in back-to-back games.
- Orca Wiesblatt (2g, 1a) saw his two-game point streak halted last night against Tri-City.
NOTEWORTHY VS. EDMONTON: Today is the fourth of eight regular season meetings between the two clubs. Since Calgary grabbed the opener in September, the Oil Kings have won the last two. Carson Focht tops the Hitmen in the season series with seven points (4g, 3a). James Malm (2g, 2a) and Egor Zamula (1g, 3a) are next with four. Jake Neighbours (1g, 4a) and Riley Sawchuk (1g, 4a) are the top performers for Edmonton with five points each. Carter Souch (3g, 1a) is next with four. The Central Division rivals face each other again in exactly three weeks on Saturday on Nov. 30, again at Rogers Place.
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.
INSIDE THE SERIES Shots on Goal: CGY 100 EDM 84 Power Plays: CGY 3-10 (30%) EDM 6-15 (40%)
DOWN TO THE WIRE: Calgary's last seven games have all been within a goal in the final 90 seconds. During that stretch the Hitmen have posted a record of 3-3-0-1.
SHOT CLOCK: The Hitmen have outshot their opponents in each of their last 10 games. During that span they have hit the 40 shot mark on six occasions.
WORLD STAGE: Hitmen forward Sean Tschigerl is with Canada Black at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The eight-team tournament is being co-hosted between Medicine Hat, AB and Swift Current, SK. Tschigerl is an Alternate Captain with Canada Black who lost 8-4 to Russia in the quarter-finals on Thursday. They will now face Finland in a placement game today. Tschigerl has a goal and an assist so far.
ONE YEAR IMPROVEMENT: Calgary is eight points ahead of their start through 16 games last season when they owned a record of 5-9-2-0.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: Riley Fiddler-Schultz (lower body, week-to-week), Cael Zimmerman (lower body, indefinite,).
FIDDLER-SCHULTZ FILLS A FORD: Hitmen teammates Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Luke Prokop will be collecting donations to The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary on Sunday, Nov. 10. They will be parked outside the Calgary Co-op in Signal Hill (4940 Richmond Road SW) from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. All non-perishable items will be accepted with an emphasis on breakfast items and toiletries with each donor receiving a signed autograph card. Grocery store gift cards are also welcome.
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 with games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League before closing with a pair of games in the WHL next week; in Saskatoon on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and in Prince Albert on Thursday, Nov. 14.
TEDDY BEAR TICKETS: Single game tickets for the ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss are on sale. The world-famous toss is 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).
WHL CUP: Three Hitmen prospects played in October's 2019 WHL Cup featuring the top 2004-born players in Western Canada; Grayden Siepmann (Team BC), Billal Noori (Team Alberta), Ethan Buenaventura (Team Manitoba). All three were selected by the Hitmen in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. Buenaventura won silver and posted a 3.34 goals against average and .897 save percentage, Siepmann took home bronze and tallied four assists while Noori had a strong tournament with five points (4g, 1a).
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.
JERSEY AUCTION: The Hitmen are selling their special Bret 'The Hitman' Hart jerseys worn by the team on Nov. 2 online at elevateauctions.com. Net proceeds will be donated to the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. Bidding is underway and closes at 8:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Each game-worn and game-issued black and pink jersey inspired by Hart's ring attire is authentically autographed by Bret Hart and the individual Hitmen player.
PROSPECT PROFILE: Joah Morberg, Calgary's 10th round pick, 211th overall, in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft is in the CSSHL with Edge School Elite 15's. In five games the 15-year-old defenceman has three points (2g, 1a). He played Bantam Prep with Edge School last season recording 16 points (6g, 10a) in 28 games.
UPCOMING GAMES All times MT. Schedule subject to change.
Date Opponent Time Broadcast
Sat., Nov. 16 at SAS 6:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sun., Nov. 17 at PA 5:00 PM Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Wed., Nov. 20 at REG 6:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Fri., Nov. 22 at BDN 6:30 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sat., Nov. 23 at MJ 6:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
PROMO CALENDAR
Hitmen single game tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations. Upcoming home game highlights include: - Christmas Miracles for SHINE on Fri. Nov. 29 vs. REG - 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
MILESTONE WATCH - Riley Stotts is one game short of 200.
- Mark Kastelic is two goals away from 100. Kastelic is also tied with Michael Stone for 14th on the clubs all-time points list with 181.
- Jett Woo needs five assists for 100.
- Layne Toder played career game 150 last Saturday against Saskatoon.
Western Hockey League Stories from November 9, 2019
- Broncos Battle Back But Fall Short in Moose Jaw - Swift Current Broncos
- Oil Kings Stifle Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Tracey Has Three Points in Win over Broncos - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Pats Succumb to Winnipeg - Regina Pats
- Broncos Acquire Matthew Benson from Warriors - Swift Current Broncos
- Chiefs Add Overage Forward Baron Thompson - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Preview: Blades Meet Wheaties for Third Time this Season - Saskatoon Blades
- Game 19 at Kamloops - Medicine Hat Tigers
- ICE Look for Bounce Back Win over Regina. - Winnipeg Ice
- Preview: Bronocs Meet Moose Jaw in First of Six Meetings - Swift Current Broncos
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Saturday, November 9 at Edmonton - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Hub: November 9 - Portland Winterhawks
- Raiders Double up Wheat Kings - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Cougars Take a Point in Shootout Setback - Prince George Cougars
- Game Day Preview: Pats Make First Visit to Winnipeg Saturday Night - Regina Pats
- Oil Kings Let Lead Slip Away in Shootout Loss to Hurricanes - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Silvertips Continue Hot Road Play, Edge Spokane 4-3 - Everett Silvertips
- Giants Down the Winterhawks 3-1 to Earn Third Straight Victory - Vancouver Giants
- Tigers outroar Rockets - Kelowna Rockets
- Tigers Top Rockets 8-5 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- ICE Fall to Warriors 3-2 in Moose Jaw - Winnipeg Ice
- Rebels with a Solid Effort, But Lose 3-1 in Saskatoon - Red Deer Rebels
- Blazers Beat T-Birds in High Scoring Game - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Royals Shoot Past Cougars - Victoria Royals
- No Dice in Vancouver - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Comeback Bid Falls Short - Spokane Chiefs
- Americans Make Late Comeback, Earn Shootout Victory - Tri-City Americans
- Tri-City Gets by Hitmen in Shootout - Calgary Hitmen
- Blades Begin Four Game Home-Stand with Win over Rebels - Saskatoon Blades
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