Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, January 29 Vs. Brandon
Published on January 29, 2017 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
The Calgary Hitmen (18-21-7-2) wrap up a pivotal three-in-three weekend this afternoon by welcoming the defending Chynoweth Cup champion Brandon Wheat Kings (23-19-4-1) to the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Game time is 4 p.m.
The Hitmen will look to secure five out of a possible six points from this gruelling weekend and, even more importantly, attempt to move into sole possession of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Last night in Cranbrook, Jakob Stukel had a goal and three assists and Jake Bean dished out four helpers as the Hitmen skated away from Western Financial Place with a convincing 8-3 win over the Kootenay ICE.
Matteo Gennaro also scored twice to continue his recent goal scoring tear and Luke Coleman, Andrew Fyten, Tyler Mrkonjic, Beck Malenstyn and Mark Kastelic also lit the lamp for Calgary.
Gennaro, who extended his point streak to eight games with his 30th and 31st goals of the season, has now found the back of the net an impressive 20 times in the month of January.
"I can't complain," said Gennaro, who leads the WHL with 29 points in the calendar year. "My success can be attributed to a lot of things. I have been given quality minutes and been put in a lot of high-quality situations. My teammates and coaches are depending on me to produce, so I'm just focused on giving 110 per cent each shift and shooting the puck as much as I can."
The Hitmen, who have picked up points in eight of their last 10 games (4-2-4), moved within a single point of the Saskatoon Blades for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
"We need to keep this rolling," said Hitmen winger Stukel, who rides a three-game goal scoring streak into today's contest. "We can't be satisfied. We need to make sure we're prepared for a very good Brandon team."
The Wheaties, who have dropped back-to-back decisions, fell 6-4 last night in Medicine Hat.
Both Nolan Patrick and Stelio Mattheos are unavailable for the Wheat Kings as they have departed for Quebec City in preparation for Monday's 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
Calgary took three of four meetings with the Wheat Kings last season, including the last encounter at the 'Dome by a score of 6-3 on Jan. 31, 2016.
Last Meeting
Wheaties_Hitmen_4Reid Duke netted a hat-trick and added two assists and linemate Ty Lewis had a goal and three helpers to lift Brandon to an 8-4 home win over the Hitmen on Jan. 7 at Westman Place.
Connor Gutenberg, Stelio Mattheos, Tanner Kaspick and Cole Reinhardt also scored for the defending WHL champions.
Beck Malenstyn, Vladislav Yeryomenko, Matteo Gennaro and Carsen Twarynski replied for Calgary.
Who's Hot
Matteo Gennaro (13g, 5a) is riding an eight-game point streak and has goals in 12 of his last 14 contests. Jake Bean (3g, 6a) has points in three consecutive games and in 14 of his last 16 games. Since joining the Hitmen, goaltender Trevor Martin has posted a record of 4-1-3-0. Jakob Stukel (3g, 4a) is on a three-game goal-scoring streak and has picked up points in nine of his last 11 appearances. Luke Coleman (2g, 1a) has scored in back-to-back games. Mark Kastelic (1g, 2a), Andrei Grishakov (4a) and Jake Kryski (2a) are all on two-game point streaks. Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960
Webcast: WHL Live
Hitmen Season Record: 18-21-7-2
Wheat Kings Season Record: 23-19-4-1
Hitmen Power Play: 18.8% (14th)
Hitmen Penalty Kill: 75.6% (19th)
Wheat Kings Power Play: 22.2% (9th)
Wheat Kings Penalty Kill: 78.5% (12th)
Season Series: Brandon 1-0
Hitmen Leaders:
Goals - Matteo Gennaro (31)
Assists - Matteo Gennaro (27)
Points - Matteo Gennaro (58)
Power Play Goals - Matteo Gennaro (11)
Shorthanded Goals - Tyler Mrkonjic (1)
Game Winning Goals - Matteo Gennaro (3)
Plus/Minus - Jameson Murray (Even)
Penalty Minutes - Micheal Zipp (79)
Wins - Cody Porter (11)
Goals Against Average - Cody Porter (3.49)
Save Percentage - Cody Porter (.890)
Shutouts - None
Wheat Kings Leaders:
Goals - Reid Duke (26)
Assists - Ty Lewis (27)
Points - Reid Duke (51)
Power Play Goals - Stelio Mattheos (11)
Shorthanded Goals - Reid Duke, Tanner Kaspick and Tyler Coulter (3)
Game Winning Goals - Ty Lewis (4)
Plus/Minus - Reid Duke (+10)
Penalty Minutes - Schael Higson (84)
Wins - Travis Child (15)
Goals Against Average - Travis Child (2.91)
Save Percentage - Logan Thompson (.908)
Shutouts - Travis Child (2)
Western Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2017
- Hitmen Fall to Wheat Kings 6-1 - Calgary Hitmen
- Martin's Late Goal Lifts Raiders Over Broncos - Prince Albert Raiders
- Oil Kings This Week (january 30- February 5) - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Silvertips Recall RW Cal Babych from Coquitlam Express - Everett Silvertips
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, January 29 Vs. Brandon - Calgary Hitmen
- Sudden Turns - Everett Silvertips
- Bear's Power-Play Goals Devour Tips - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Royals Knock Down Giants - Victoria Royals
- Giants Lose 7-1 in Victoria - Vancouver Giants
- Hawks Earn 5-4 Comeback Victory in Kelowna Saturday - Portland Winterhawks
- Winterhawks Complete Comeback to Top the Rockets 5-4 - Kelowna Rockets
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