Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, March 7 at Swift Current
March 7, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN (20-35-8-2, 50 pts.) at SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS (46-14-4-2, 98 pts.)
Wednesday, March 7, 2018 - 6:00 p.m. MT - Credit Union iPlex
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen begin a four-game road trip tonight in Swift Current against the Broncos. Calgary is coming off Sunday's 6-2 come-from-behind win over Red Deer. Trailing 2-0 after 40 minutes, the Hitmen exploded for six unanswered third period goals. Vancouver Canucks prospect Jakob Stukel led the way with four points, scoring twice and adding a pair of assists. Riley Stotts, Mark Kastelic, Dakota Krebs and Zach Huber also netted goals for the Hitmen who outshot the Rebels 22-6 in the final frame. Conner Chaulk added three assists for Calgary which took 11 of 14 points from their Central Division rivals this season posting a record of 4-1-1-1. Brandon Hagel and Reese Johnson were the only Rebels to beat Hitmen goaltender Matthew Armitage who was another key contributor for the home side making 30 saves to pick up the win. The Hitmen, at 50 points, trail the Rebels by 11 points for the final Central Division playoff spot with seven games remaining. Calgary also has two games in hand. Swift Current hasn't played since Saturday's 3-1 home ice win over Brandon. Glenn Gawdin and Tyler Steenbergen led the Broncos with two assists each.
HITMEN BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Webcast: WHL Live at whl.neulion.com
________________________________
STREAKS
- Jakob Stukel (8g, 9a) is riding a nine-game point streak, the longest by any Hitmen player this season.
- Tristen Nielsen (1g, 2a) has points in three straight games.
- Jake Kryski (5g, 8a) has points in seven of his last eight outings while Conner Chaulk (1g, 4a) has points in three of his last four games.
- Mark Kastelic (2g) has scored in each of the last two games.
NOTEWORTHY
VS SWIFT CURRENT: Tonight is the fourth and final regular season meeting between the two clubs. Calgary is 1-1-0-1 against the Broncos. Jake Kryski (1g, 5a) leads all Hitmen will six points in the season series. Jakob Stukel (2g, 1a) and Mark Kastelic (1g, 2a) are next with three points each. Glenn Gawdin (2g, 2a) and Aleksi Heponiemi (4a) are the top performers for the Broncos with four points each. Colby Sissons (3a) is next with three. Calgary is 1-3-1-2 in their last seven visits to Swift Current.
2017-18 SERIES RECAP
Nov. 18/17 at SC: SC 2 CGY 1 Shootout...Calgary forced OT with 6:17 remaining.
Dec. 8/17 at CGY: CGY 6 SC 1...Jake Kryski led Hitmen with three assists
Feb. 27/18 at CGY: SC 6 CGY 4...The Broncos scored twice in the final six minutes to snap a 4-4 tie.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 113 SC 75 Power Plays: CGY 5-20 (25%) SC 2-12 (16.7%)
BACK WHERE IT BEGAN: Conner Chaulk, Dom Schmiemann and Riley Stotts all make the return to Swift Current tonight for the first time since the Nov. 25, 2017 trade that sent the trio to the Hitmen. Chaulk played 141 career games with the Broncos, Schmiemann 93 and Stotts 74.
FAST FACT: Calgary's six-goal third period Sunday against Red Deer was just shy of tying a historical performance. The franchise record for goals in a period is seven set on January 29, 2000 in a 9-4 road win against the Portland Winterhawks. All seven goals were scored in the first period including markers from Brad Moran and Matt Pettinger in the first 47 seconds.
RECENT RUN: Calgary has picked up at least a point in six of their last eight games posting a record of 3-2-3-0.
DOWN TO THE WIRE: Calgary has suffered 20 losses by a single goal this season. Ten have been in regulation, eight in overtime and two in the shootout. Overall the Hitmen have played in 30 games decided by a single goal sporting a combined record of 10-10-8-2.
DID YOU KNOW?: Jakob Stukel has reached the 30 goal mark for the second time in his career. With 34 goals, he is two shy of his career high of 36 scored during the 2015-16 season...Calgary has been to overtime 17 times this season including five times in their last 14 outings.
NHL WATCH: NHL Central Scouting has named four Hitmen among the top players available for the 2018 NHL Draft. Vladislav Yeryomenko, Riley Stotts, Egor Zamula and Carson Focht are all on the midterm rankings among North American skaters. Yeryomenko is number 79, Stotts 88, Zamula 100 and Focht 200. The 2018 NHL Draft is June 22-23 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Calgary's power play is tied for 20th in the WHL at 17.6%. The penalty kill is tied for 13th at 77.7%.
ALUMNI UPDATE: Adam Tambellini, who played two seasons with the Hitmen from 2013-15, is in the American Hockey League with the Hartford Wolf Pack. The 23-year-old centre has 27 points (13g, 14a) in 58 games. Tambellini appeared in 102 games with the Hitmen, recording 125 points.
PROSPECT WATCH: Brayden Peters, Calgary's fifth-round pick, 95th overall, in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft is playing minor midget with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. In 21 games the goaltender has a 1.73 goals against average and .938 save percentage. Last season the 15-year-old was a member of the Lethbridge AAA Bantam Golden Hawks posting a 1.98 GAA and .920 save percentage in 17 games.
WHL TOP 10: Hitmen goaltender Nick Schneider leads the league in minutes played with 3,251 and is fourth in saves with 1,541.
HITMEN MONTH-BY-MONTH: September (1-2-1-0), October (3-8), November (3-4-2-1), December (4-5-2-0), January (4-10), February (4-6-1-1), March (1-0-2-0).
PROMO CALENDAR
Hitmen single game tickets are available at Ticketmaster and the 'Dome box office. Upcoming home game highlights include:
- Fan Appreciation Day and Player Awards presented by Vision Travel on Mar. 18 vs. EDM
CAREER MILESTONES
- Nick Schneider is one game shy of 200 after surpassing 5,000 saves Feb. 28 in Red Deer.
- Mark Kastelic is two assists away from 50.
- Luke Coleman needs six points for 100.
- Tristen Nielsen is four games away from 100.
- Jakob Stukel reached 100 career goals Sunday against Red Deer.
- Zach Huber scored his first career WHL goal on Mar. 2 in Edmonton.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2018
- Raiders Double Up Oil Kings - Prince Albert Raiders
- Broncos Edge Hitmen 3-2 - Calgary Hitmen
- T-Birds Cut Magic Number to One with Win over Americans - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Playoff Single Game Tickets Go on Sale March 19 - Spokane Chiefs
- Media Release -- Broncos, Warriors Retain Top Five Spots in CHL Top 10 Rankings - WHL
- Portland Remains Among CHL's Elite in Top 10 Rankings - Portland Winterhawks
- Winterhawks Game Day Preview: Portland at Prince George - Portland Winterhawks
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, March 7 at Swift Current - Calgary Hitmen
- Royals Triumph over Chiefs - Victoria Royals
- Comeback Falls Just Short Against Winterhawks - Prince George Cougars
- Late Goal Lifts Hawks to Victory over Cougars - Portland Winterhawks
- Pats Rally Past Tigers 6-3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Blades Complete Season Sweep over Oil Kings Tuesday Night - Saskatoon Blades
- Late Flurry Lifts Pats - Regina Pats
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.
