Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, October 20 vs Medicine Hat Tigers
October 20, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN (5-2-1-0, 11 pts.) vs MEDICINE HAT TIGERS (8-2-1-0, 17 pts.)
Sunday - 2:00 p.m. MT - Scotiabank Saddledome
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen (5-2-1-0), wrap up a three-game homestand this afternoon at Scotiabank Saddledome as they welcome the Medicine Hat Tigers (8-2-1-0) in a 2:00 p.m. start. It's the second annual Diwali Celebration highlighted by first intermission Bhangra dancers and post-game fireworks. Sunday Funday for Rickey's All Day Grill is also in effect featuring face painters, concourse activities, giveaways and a post-game family skate that is FREE with a game ticket. Sunday Funday pricing sees a $9.99 ticket for kids 12 and under and a $15.99 ticket for adults (plus applicable fees and taxes). Calgary is coming off Friday's 7-3 win over Moose Jaw. Carson Focht and Orca Wiesblatt both scored twice with Wiesblatt adding an assist for a team-leading three points. Jonas Peterek (1g, 1a), Sean Tschigerl and Mark Kastelic rounded out the Hitmen attack. For Peterek, it was his first career marker in the Western Hockey League. Calgary built period leads of 3-1 and 5-2 and fired a season high 46 shots on goal while holding the Warriors to just 16. Eleven different Hitmen collected at least a point as defencemen Layne Toder and Egor Zamula both recorded a pair of assists.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Webcast: WHL Live at whllive.com
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STREAKS
- Egor Zamula (4g, 8a) is riding an eight-game point streak, a new career high. The Philadelphia Flyers prospect had a pair of six-game streaks last season.
- Mark Kastelic (4g, 2a) and Orca Wiesblatt (4g, 3a) are both on four-game streaks.
- Riley Fiddler-Schultz (3a) is on a three-game point streak.
- Jonas Peterek (1g, 2a) and Riley Stotts (2a) have points in back-to-back games.
NOTEWORTHY
VS. MEDICINE HAT: Today is the second of six regular season meetings between the Hitmen and Tigers. Calgary took the opener 21 days ago at the "Dome. The Hitmen are 9-8-1-1 in their last 19 meetings with Medicine Hat including a 6-4 mark in Calgary. The two teams won't meet again until Saturday, Dec. 28 in Medicine Hat.
2019-20 SERIES RECAP
Sept. 29/19 at CGY: CGY 2 MH 0...Adam Kydd scored both goals. Carl Stankowski made 33 saves for the shutout.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 30 MH 33 Power Plays: CGY 1-3 (33.3%) MH 0-2 (0%)
STREAKS: Egor Zamula (4g, 8a) is riding an eight-game point streak, a new career high. The Philadelphia Flyers prospect had a pair of six-game streaks last season. Mark Kastelic (4g, 2a) and Orca Wiesblatt (4g, 3a) are both on four-game streaks. Riley Fiddler-Schultz (3a) is on a three-game point streak. Jonas Peterek (1g, 2a) and Riley Stotts (2a) have points in back-to-back games.
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, Brett Carson, spent parts of four seasons with the team from 2003 to 2006 after arriving in a trade with Moose Jaw. In 234 career regular season games, the product of Whitewood, SK tallied 105 points (27g, 78a) to sit 13th on the clubs all-time scoring list among defencemen. Carson also appeared in 33 playoff games notching 14 points (5g, 9a).
BROTHER BATTLE: Today's game features a head-to-head meeting of Dakota and Dru Krebs. Dakota is in this fifth and final WHL season with the Hitmen while Dru is a 16-year-old rookie with the Tigers.
TEDDY BEAR TICKETS: Single game tickets for the ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss went on sale this week. 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.
TEAM WHL: Teammates Carson Focht and Jett Woo have been named to Team WHL for the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series. Both players attended Hockey Canada's Summer Development Camp this past summer in preparation for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. 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.
HITMEN IN THE NHL: Nine Hitmen alumni are on National Hockey League rosters this season; Johnny Boychuk (NYI), Ryan Getzlaf (ANA), Martin Jones (SJS), Andrew Ladd (NYI), Victor Rask (MIN), Travis Sanheim (PHI), Michael Stone (CGY), Carsen Twarynski (PHI) and Jake Virtanen (VAN). Twarynski scored his first career NHL goal on Oct. 12 in Vancouver. Ironically, Sanheim drew one of the assists.
WORLD STAGE: Hitmen forward Sean Tschigerl will play for Hockey Canada at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The eight-team tournament runs Nov. 2-9 in Medicine Hat, AB and Swift Current, SK. The 16-year-old will become the 29th player in franchise history to participate in the tournament joining fellow teammates Luke Prokop (2018), Jackson van de Leest (2017), Carson Focht (2016) and Riley Stotts (2016) who have also played in the international event. Focht won gold with Canada White while van de Leest helped Canada Red capture silver.
FAST FACTS: Calgary is 4-1 at home this season after posting a "Dome record of 20-11-3-0 during the 2018-19 campaign...Following today's Central Division battle with the Tigers, the Hitmen will play four straight and six of their next seven games against teams from outside their division.
POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: Meet defenceman Jackson van de Leest after today's game against Medicine Hat. van de Leest will be signing autographs at the Hitmen Booster Club table located behind section 212.
REGULAR SEASON MILESTONE WATCH: James Malm is one point shy of 200. Mark Kastelic is tied with Brandon Kozun for 10th place on the clubs all-time goal scoring list with 92, one back of Chris Nielsen who is ninth with 93 goals. Kastelic is also tied with Jakob Stukel for 17th place on the all-time points list at 173, two back of Jake Bean who sits 16th with 175 points.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: Tye Carriere (indefinite, upper body), Riley Fiddler-Schultz (lower body, day-to-day), Cael Zimmerman (lower body, indefinite,).
SITTING OUT: Forward Adam Kydd serves Game 3 of a four-game WHL imposed suspension today against the Tigers. Kidd received the discipline for his check to the head major and game misconduct in Edmonton on Oct. 12.
ROSTER MOVES: On Tuesday the Hitmen reassigned goaltender Carl Stankowski to a yet to be determined team. During the past two seasons the 19-year-old appeared in 27 games for Calgary posting a record of 11-12-1. On Oct. 13, the Hitmen recalled 16-year-old forward Zac Funk from the Okanagan Rockets of the BCMML. Funk was taken by the Hitmen in the second round of the WHL Bantam Draft in 2018. Last season he was named a BC Major Midget League All-Star recording 58 points (34g, 24a) in 38 games with the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds.
BRET "THE HITMAN' HART NIGHT: On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Hitmen will honour their namesake by hosting Bret "The Hitman' Hart Night presented by Kal Tire. 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 night includes a $20 pre-game concourse photo opportunity with Bret in an authentic WWE Wresting Ring. A tax receipt will be issued with proceeds to Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. As a tribute to the legendary professional wrestler, the Hitmen and the Prairie Wrestling Alliance will host a 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' with a special Bret Hart career retrospective live on the Energy Board.
AUCTION ALERT: Today is the final day to bid on more than 80 Hitmen game-worn, game-issued and authentic jerseys from seasons past in a historical jersey auction. Bidding concludes tonight at 8:00 p.m. MST. Proceeds support the Calgary Hitmen Foundation. Full details are available at elevateauctions.com/HitmenHistoricalAuction
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.
UPCOMING GAMES
All times in MT. Schedule subject to change.
Date
Opponent
Time
Broadcast
Fri., Oct. 25
@ MJ
7:00 PM
Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sun., Oct. 27
@ REG
4:00 PM
Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Mon., Oct. 28
vs. SEA
6:00 PM
Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sat., Nov. 2
vs. SAS
7:00 PM
Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Sun., Nov. 3
vs. EDM
2:00 PM
Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
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:
- Wizarding Day on Oct. 28 vs. SEA
- 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
- 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
- James Malm is one point shy of 200.
- Mark Kastelic is tied with Brandon Kozun for 10th place on the clubs all-time goal scoring list with 92, one back of Chris Nielsen who is ninth with 93 goals. Kastelic is also tied with Jakob Stukel for 17th place on the all-time points list at 173, two back of Jake Bean who sits 16th with 175 points.
Western Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2019
- Giants Drop a 3-1 Decision Sunday at Home to Victoria - Vancouver Giants
- Royals Foil Giants - Victoria Royals
- Peters' Relief Work, Six Unanswered Left Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Tigers Tamed 6-3 by Hitmen - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Broncos Play Strong, But Drop Shootout to Giants - Swift Current Broncos
- Game Preview: Blades in Winnipeg for Game 2 of 3 Game Mini-Series - Saskatoon Blades
- Game 12 at Calgary - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Winnipeg ICE Look for Three Straight Victories as It Hosts Saskatoon on Sunday Evening - Winnipeg Ice
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, October 20 vs Medicine Hat Tigers - Calgary Hitmen
- Broncos Play Strong, But Drop Shootout to Giants - Swift Current Broncos
- Americans Defeat Thunderbirds in Shootout, Win Third Straight Home Game - Tri-City Americans
- Cougars Fall as Chiefs Rebound - Prince George Cougars
- Vancouver Giants Knock off Broncos in a Nine-Round Shootout - Vancouver Giants
- Gut Scores Game-Winner again for Tips - Everett Silvertips
- Winnipeg ICE Defeat Saskatoon Blades 4-1 - Winnipeg Ice
- Second-Period Lapse Proves Costly for Rebels - Red Deer Rebels
- Rockets fall to Blazers - Kelowna Rockets
- T-Birds Battle Tri-City But Fall in Shootout - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Les Schwab Player Appearance: October 29 - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Take 2 Points in Saturday Night Rematch with Prince George - Spokane Chiefs
- Winterhawks Dominate at Home - Portland Winterhawks
- Raiders Earn Point In Road Trip Opener In Everett - Prince Albert Raiders
- ICE Breeze Past Blades on Saturday Night - Saskatoon Blades
- Pats End Skid in Shootout - Regina Pats
- Warriors Battle Hard But Fall in Overtime in Lethbridge - Moose Jaw Warriors
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