Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, February 27 vs. Swift Current
February 27, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN (31-22-5-1, 68 pts.) vs. SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS (10-43-3-2, 25 pts.)
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 - 11:00 a.m. MT - Scotiabank Saddledome
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen open a two-game homestand this morning as they welcome the Swift Current Broncos to the Scotiabank Saddledome for an 11:00 a.m. start. It's the TELUS BE BRAVE Anti-Bullying game. This educational event will see over 14,000 Calgary and area students in attendance to learn about the importance of acceptance and bullying prevention from two guest speakers, concourse displays and in-game activities. Calgary Stampeders Alumnus, two-time Grey Cup Champion and TELUS Wise Ambassador for the Stamp of a Champ program Rob Cote will lead the TELUS Wise Digital Pledge to #EndBullying prior to puck drop. Akeem Haynes, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and self-help author, will speak in the first intermission and Rilee Manybears, athlete from Siksika Nation and ambassador for the AMA Youth Run Club, will address the crowd in the second intermission. Both speakers are presented by A1 Chesney Service Experts.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Webcast: WHL Live at whl.neulion.com
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STREAKS
- Four Hitmen will all take two-game point streaks into today's game: Carson Focht (6a), James Malm (3g, 2a), Kaden Elder (3a) and Egor Zamula (3a).
- Vladislav Yeryomenko (3g) saw his three-game goal scoring streak end Saturday in Swift Current.
NOTEWORTHY
LAST GAME RECAP: Calgary is coming off Saturday's 6-1 win in Swift Current which capped a four-game road trip. The Hitmen finished the swing with a record of 2-1-1-0 to pick up five of a possible eight points. Saturday's win over the Broncos included the first-career Western Hockey League goal for defenceman Devan Klassen who also added an assist.
VS. SWIFT CURRENT: Today is the fourth and final regular season meeting between the Hitmen and Broncos. Calgary has won all three games by a combined score of 15-5. James Malm (3g, 4a) leads the Hitmen in the season series with seven points. Carson Focht (6a) is next with six. Joona Kiviniemi (2g), Ethan O'Rourke (2g) and Connor Horning (2a) top the Broncos with two points each. The Hitmen are 6-1 in their last seven home games against Swift Current.
2018-19 SERIES RECAP
Dec. 7/18 in CGY: CGY 3 SC 2...Josh Prokop scored the winner with just 23 seconds remaining.
Jan. 30/19 at SC: CGY 6 SC 2...The Hitmen were powered by a four-goal first period.
Feb. 23/19 at SC: CGY 6 SC 1...Carson Focht led the way with four assists.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 129 SC 68 Power Plays: CGY 5-11 (45.5%) SC 2-9 (22.2%)
PLAYOFF CHASE: With nine games to go in the regular season, Calgary is third in the Central Division sitting just a single point ahead of Medicine Hat which occupies the first Eastern Conference Wildcard spot. Looking up, the Hitmen are six points behind Lethbridge for second in the division. Calgary has a game in hand on both the Tigers and Hurricanes. Medicine Hat is idle until Friday when they visit Edmonton while Lethbridge is on the road in Prince Albert tonight.
SITTING OUT: Hitmen forward Mark Kastelic was handed a two-game WHL imposed suspension following a boarding major and game misconduct on Feb. 22 in Regina. The 19-year-old has served one game and will complete the suspension today.
FAST FACTS: Including today, Calgary has five home games left in the regular season and four on the road ...Mark Kastelic has 14 multi-goal games this season...Since January 1, Calgary has posted a record of 21-8-3-0...The Hitmen have only been outshot once in the last 15 games...James Malm has scored a career-high 26 goals.
ROSTER MOVES: On Monday the Hitmen returned 16-year-old goaltender Brayden Peters to the Lethbridge AAA Midget Hurricanes and recalled 15-year-old forward Zac Funk from the BCMMHL's Fraser Valley Thunderbirds where he leads the team in scoring with 55 points (33g, 22a) in 36 games. Funk is expected to make his WHL debut today and will wear number 25. The transactions leave Calgary with seven defencemen, two goalies and 15 forwards.
WHL TOP 15: Mark Kastelic is third in the WHL in goals with 43, his 70 points sit 15th and his 22 power play markers lead the league. Egor Zamula is seventh in defencemen scoring with 48 points. Dakota Krebs is tied for ninth in plus/minus among defenceman at +25.
CANADA WINTER GAMES: Three Hitmen prospects played in the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer. Forward Sean Tschigerl captained Team Alberta to a bronze medal. Tschigerl (1g, 2a) finished the tournament with three points. Defenceman Tyson Galloway (4a) tallied four points for Team British Columbia which finished seventh and defenceman Rory Neill (3a) collected three points for fifth place Manitoba.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: Jake Kryski (indefinite, upper body). Hunter Campbell (indefinite, lower body), Cael Zimmerman (week-to-week, upper body).
ALUMNI WATCH: Carson McMillan is playing in the German Ice Hockey League with the Fischtown Penguins. The 30-year-old forward has 17 points (8g, 9a) in 50 games. McMillan spent four seasons with the Hitmen from 2005-09 recording 141 points (57g, 84a) in 271 games. He is 27th on the club's all-time scoring list.
LEAGUE HISTORY: This is year 24 for the franchise, with the Hitmen qualifying for the playoffs in 19 of their 23 seasons. During that time they have captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions on two occasions, in 1999 and 2010.
UPCOMING GAMES
All times in MT. Schedule subject to change.
DATE OPPONENT TIME BROADCAST
Mar. 1 vs. Brandon 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Mar. 2 at Kootenay 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Mar. 3 vs. Kootenay 4:00 p.m. Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Mar. 6 at Medicine Hat 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Mar. 8 vs. Edmonton 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet 960-The Fan
PROMO CALENDAR
Upcoming home game highlights include:
- TELUS BE BRAVE Anti-Bullying Game on Feb. 27 vs. SC
- Multicultural Night on Mar. 1 vs. BDN
- RE/MAX Presents: WHL Suits up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation and Sunday Funday presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Mar. 3 vs. KTN
- One Ticket, One Tree on Mar. 8 vs. EDM
- Fan Appreciation and Sunday Funday presented by Ricky's All Day Grill on Mar. 17 vs. EDM
CAREER MILESTONE WATCH
- Jack McNaughton is one save away from 1,000.
- Riley Stotts needs four goals for 50.
- Jackson van de Leest played game 100 in Regina on Feb. 22.
Western Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2019
- Pats Stopped by Rebels - Regina Pats
- Raiders Stay Firm at Second in Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings - WHL
- Focht, Elder Steal Spotlight as Hitmen Beat Broncos - Swift Current Broncos
- 2019 #WHLPlayoffs Clinching Scenarios for February 27 - Tri-City Americans
- Hitmen Pile on Broncos, 9-3 - Calgary Hitmen
- Chiefs Sign Forward Reed Jacobson to WHL Agreement - Spokane Chiefs
- Wheat Kings Captain Named Telus Player of the Month - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Canada West Announces Conference Award Winners - WHL
- Dr. Bob Smillie to Receive WHL Distinguished Service Award Friday, March 1 vs. Seattle - Kamloops Blazers
- 2019 WHL U.S. Prospect Skills Combine: Dallas Now Accepting Applications - WHL
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, February 27 vs. Swift Current - Calgary Hitmen
- Game Day Preview: Pats Look for Fourth Straight Home Win Wednesday against Red Deer - Regina Pats
- Chiefs Emerge Winners in Wild Finish - Prince George Cougars
- Blades Win See-Saw Affair with Canes - Saskatoon Blades
- Rebels Explode for Seven Goals in Rout of Warriors - Red Deer Rebels
- Entire Silvertips Roster to Serve at All El Paraiso Mexican Grill Locations on Wednesday, February 27 - Everett Silvertips
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