Sports stats



WHL Calgary Hitmen

Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, October 6 vs Portland Winterhawks

October 6, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


CALGARY HITMEN (3-0-1-0, 7 pts.) vs PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS (3-1-0-0, 6 pts.)

Sunday, October 6, 2019 - 2:00 p.m. MT - Scotiabank Saddledome

TODAY'S GAME

The Calgary Hitmen, now 3-0-1-0 on the young season, return to the Scotiabank Saddledome this afternoon to host the Portland Winterhawks. It's a 2:00 p.m. start for the Sunday Funday game presented by Ricky's All Day Grill. Activities include face painters, giveaways and a post-game family skate that is FREE with a game ticket. Sunday Funday features a specially priced $9.99 ticket for kids 12 and under and a $15.99 ticket for adults (plus applicable fees and taxes). Fans are encouraged to seek out the six costumed ushers who will be dressed up in a royalty theme. Calgary is coming off a perfect 3-0 weekend which culminated with a 2-0 shutout against the Medicine Hat Tigers Sunday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Hitmen goaltender, Carl Stankowski, recorded his first Western Hockey League shutout turning away 33 shots while rookie Adam Kydd scored both Calgary markers, notching his first WHL goal. Medicine Hat, who outshot Calgary 33-30, were not able to capitalize on the power play going 0-2 while the Hitmen were 1-3.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Radio: Sportsnet 960-The Fan

Webcast: WHL Live at whllive.com

________________________________

STREAKS

- Carson Focht (3g, 3a) and Egor Zamula (2g, 3a) are all riding four-game point streaks.

- Sean Tschigerl (2a) has points in back-to-back games.

NOTEWORTHY

VS. PORTLAND: Tonight is the first and only regular season meeting between the Hitmen and Winterhawks. Calgary has a 5-2 record against Portland in their last seven meetings. The Hitmen recorded a 3-2 victory in their only battle last season on Nov. 21, 2018 at Moda Center. Jake Kryski, James Malm and Riley Stotts provided the Calgary goals while Carson Focht tallied a game leading two points with a pair of assists. This is Portland's first visit to Calgary since Nov. 22, 2017, when the Winterhawks rolled to a 7-3 triumph. Kieffer Bellows (2g, 1a) and Cody Glass (1g, 2a) led the Portland attack with three points each that night while four other Winterhawks found the back of the Calgary net.

FAST FACTS: Calgary has taken 41 more shots than they have given up this season, outshooting their opposition in all but one game... Last Sunday, the Hitmen recorded their first shutout since Dec. 30, 2018, which was one of only two shutouts during the 2018-19 season... A total of 8 players have recorded multi-point games this season.

STREAKS: Three Hitmen will take point scoring streaks into tonight's game against the Winterhawks. Carson Focht (3g, 3a) and Egor Zamula (2g, 3a) are both riding four-game point streaks while Sean Tschigerl (2a) has points in back-to-back games.

WHL FIRSTS: Three members of the Hitmen have already recorded significant milestones in the young season. Rookie Adam Kydd scored his first career goal on Sept. 29 while goaltender Carl Stankowski recorded his first career shutout that same night. Riley Stotts recorded his first career hat-trick in the 5-1 victory over the Rebels on Sept. 28. Evan Toth, who made the opening night roster, has yet to play a regular season game in the WHL.

CAPTAIN RETURNS: Captain Mark Kastelic returns to Calgary after an extended look from the Ottawa Senators and their farm team, the Bellville Senators of the AHL. Ottawa selected Kastelic in the fifth round, 125th overall, at the 2019 NHL Draft. The Phoenix, Arizona product recorded a career-high 77 points (47g, 30a) in 66 games last season and added nine points (6g, 3a) in nine games during the 2019 WHL Playoffs.

HITMEN IN THE NHL: 127 WHL alumni, including nine graduates of the Calgary Hitmen, have been named to National Hockey League opening night rosters to start the 2019-20 season. Hitmen Alumni on 2019-20 NHL opening day rosters include: 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).

ROSTER MOVES: On Oct. 1, the Hitmen reassigned 16-year-old Zac Funk to the Okanagan Rockets of the BCMML, 19-year-old Andrew Viggars to the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL, and placed 17-year-old Samuel Krajc on Import Waivers. On Sept. 17, the Hitmen reassigned three players sending 16-year-old defenceman Tyson Galloway to the Merritt Centennials (BCJHL), 17 year-old goaltender Ethan Hein to the Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) and 16 year-old defenceman Rory Neill to the Winnipeg Wild (MMHL).

REGULAR SEASON CAREER MILESTONE WATCH: James Malm needs one point to reach 200. Dakota Krebs is two games away from 250. Carson Focht is five goals shy of 50. Mark Kastelic is one goal shy of moving into a tie with Brett Sonne for 13th on the clubs all-time goal scoring list with 89. Kastelic is also three points away from tying Sonne for 18th place on the all-time points list with 170. Riley Stotts recorded his 50th career goal with a hat-trick on Sept. 28 against Red Deer.

MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: James Malm (day-to-day, lower body), Cael Zimmerman (indefinite, lower body).

ALUMNUS OF THE GAME: All season long the Hitmen, in partnership with Adrenaline Source for Sports, will be honouring an alumnus at each home game. Today's alumnus, Kaden Elder, was acquired by Calgary on Sept. 27, 2019 from the Swift Current Broncos in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. The right winger made an immediate impact scoring seven points (3g, 4a) in his first 10 games with the Hitmen. He was named alternate captain and finished the 2018-19 season with 59 points (26g, 33a) in 67 games receiving the Hockey Calgary Coaches Award.

POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: Meet forward Hunter Campbell after today's game. Campbell will be signing autographs at the Hitmen Booster Club table located behind section 212.

PROSPECT WATCH: Billal Noori, Calgary's fourth-round pick, 79th overall, in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft is off to a blazing start this season. The 15-year-old, playing for the Northern Alberta Elite 15s in the CSSHL, has tallied eight points (4g, 4a) in two games. On Oct. 2, Noori was named to the Team Alberta U16 roster for the 2019 WHL Cup.

BRET THE HITMAN HART NIGHT: On Oct. 3, the Hitmen announce they will host 'Bret the Hitman Hart Night' on Saturday, Nov. 2 in support of the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. The game will highlight how fans can help Bret pin prostate cancer including a photo opportunity with Bret 'The Hitman' Hart a the pre-game photo booth with all proceeds going to Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. A special $15 ticket with $5 going directly back to Calgary Prostate Cancer Centree is available by going to the event page at http://www.prostatecancercentre.ca/bret-the-hitman-hart-night/. 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 career retrospective live on the Energy Board.

HITMEN VS: (BDN 0-0), (EDM 1-0), (EVT 0-0), (KAM 0-0), (KEL 0-0), (LET 0-0), (MH 1-0), (MJ 0-0), (POR 0-0), (PA 0-0), (PG 0-0), (RD 1-0), (REG 0-0), (SAS 0-0), (SEA 0-0), (SPO 0-0), (SC 0-0-1), (TC 0-0), (VAN 0-0), (VIC 0-0), (WPG 0-0).

AUCTION ALERT: The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club is excited to offer fans an opportunity to own a piece of franchise history. More than 80 game-worn, game-issued and authentic jerseys from seasons passed are now available for bid in a historical jersey auction. Bidding will conclude on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. MST. Be part of celebrating the team's heritage while supporting the Calgary Hitmen Foundation as a portion of the auction proceeds will be directed to education, grassroots sports and youth wellness programs in our community. Full details are available at elevateauctions.com/HitmenHistoricalAuction.

HITMEN PLEDGE: On Sept. 27, the Hitmen in partnership with ENMAX announced 'The Hitmen Pledge powered by ENMAX'. As part of the 25th anniversary season of Hitmen Hockey, this charitable initiative hopes to raise 25,000 hours of community service towards Calgary and surrounding area. Fans and members of the community are asked to take the pledge by contributing 25 volunteer hours to a charitable cause in the hopes of receiving $25,000 to gift to a registered Southern Alberta charity of their choice.

TICKET SPECIALS: The 2019-20 Hitmen Hockey Pass is on sale now and includes 33 game tickets plus one ticket voucher to be used anytime, in any combination. Pass holders also receive a special 25th anniversary jersey, $50 Scotiabank Saddledome gift card and a complimentary ticket to a select Flames, Roughnecks or Stampeders game. Passes start at less than $7 per ticket for kids and under $15 for adults.

UPCOMING GAMES

All times in MT. Schedule subject to change.

Date Opponent Time Broadcast

Sat., Oct. 12 at EDM 7:00 PM Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)

Mon., Oct. 14 vs. SAS 2:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan

Fri., Oct. 18 vs. MJ 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan

Sun., Oct. 20 vs. MH 2:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan

Fri., Oct. 25 at MJ 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan

PROMO CALENDAR

Hitmen single game tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, with seats for The Teddy Bear Toss available starting Tues. Oct. 15 at 10:00 a.m. to allow Hitmen Hockey Pass Holders and Flex Pack Holders the first opportunity to exchange their tickets. Upcoming home game highlights include:

- AirBand Together for a Wish presented by euroPRODUCTIONS on Oct. 14 vs. SAS presented by Rangeland Engineering

- Diwali Celebration presented by Red FM & Sunday Funday, presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Oct. 20 vs. MH

- Wizarding Day on Oct. 28 vs. SEA

- Bret the Hitman Hart Night 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 presented by Peak Medical 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

- Airdrie Day presented by Southland Transportation on Jan. 1 vs. MH

MILESTONE WATCH

- James Malm needs one point to reach 200.

- Dakota Krebs is two games away from 250.

- Carson Focht is five goals shy of 50.

- Mark Kastelic is one goal shy of moving into a tie with Brett Sonne for 13th on the clubs all-time goal scoring list with 89. Kastelic is also three points away from tying Sonne for 18th place on the all-time points list with 170.

- Riley Stotts recorded his 50th career goal with a hat-trick on Sept. 28 against Red Deer.

Check out the Calgary Hitmen Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from October 6, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Calgary Hitmen Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central