Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, November 6 vs. Prince Albert
November 6, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN (8-5-1-0, 17 pts.) vs. PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS (12-2-3-0, 27 pts.)
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. MT - Scotiabank Saddledome
TODAY'S GAME
The Calgary Hitmen host the Prince Albert Raiders this evening in a 7:00 p.m. start at Scotiabank Saddledome. Tonight's game sponsor is The Real Canadian Superstore where one lucky fan will win 250,000 PC Optimum points. It's also double unused ticket exchange night for season pass holders. Present the coupon in the season pass book to trade any unused tickets for double the tickets to tonight's game. Calgary is coming off Sunday's 3-2 home ice loss to Edmonton. David Kope broke a 2-2 third period tie with 54.5 seconds remaining. Carson Focht with his team leading 10th goal of the season and James Malm with his second supplied the Calgary scoring. The Hitmen, who hit a pair of goal posts in the setback, outshot Edmonton 40-28.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio: Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Webcast: WHL Live at whllive.com
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STREAKS
- Mark Kastelic (1g, 1a) and James Malm (1g, 1a) both have points in back-to-back games.
- Blake Allan (1g, 1a) and Hunter Campbell (2a) saw their two-game point streaks halted on Sunday against Edmonton.
NOTEWORTHY VS. PRINCE ALBERT: Tonight is the first of four regular season meetings between the two clubs. Prince Albert swept the season series last year by a combined score of 27-9. Riley Stotts (3g) and Dakota Krebs (1g, 2a) led the Hitmen with three points each against the Raiders. Brett Leason (5g, 3a) was the top performer for Prince Albert with eight points. The two teams will meet again in 11 days but this time in Saskatchewan on Sunday, Nov. 17.
2018-19 SERIES RECAP Oct. 8/18 at CGY: PA 4 CGY 0...The Raiders struck for a trio of second period goals in the first 12 minutes. Oct. 16/18 at PA: PA 8 CGY 4...Brett Leason scored twice and added two assists for the Raiders. Jan. 12/19 at PA: PA 7 CGY 3...Parker Kelly paced the Raiders attack scoring twice and adding an assist. Feb. 8/19 at CGY: PA 8 CGY 2...Cole Fonstad tallied five points (2g, 3a) for the Raiders.
INSIDE THE SERIES Shots on Goal: CGY 94 PA 155 Power Plays: CGY 1-12 (8.3%) PA 4-18 (22.2%)
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, Luke Coleman, spent parts of three seasons with the team from 2016-17 to 2018-19. In 174 career games in Calgary, the forward notched 99 points (42g, 57a). Coleman is now using his WHL Scholarship at the University of Lethbridge and has 4 points (2g, 2a) in 8 games while playing hockey for the Pronghorns.
SHOT CLOCK: The Hitmen have outshot their opponents in each of their last eight games. During that span they have hit the 40 shot mark on five occasions.
POSITIVE PK: Calgary has killed 17 of their last 19 shorthanded situations, posting an efficiency rating of 89.5%.
BROTHER BATTLE: Today's game features a head-to-head meeting of Orca and Ozzy Wiesblatt. Orca has played 75 career regular season games in the WHL while Ozzy has appeared in 81. Tonight marks their first ever WHL on-ice meeting.
WORLD STAGE: Hitmen forward Sean Tschigerl is with Canada Black at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. The eight-team tournament co-hosted between Medicine Hat, AB and Swift Current, SK runs until Nov. 9. The 16-year-old is the 29th player in franchise history to participate in the tournament. Tschigerl is also an Alternate Captain with Canada Black who will face Russia in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
ONE YEAR IMPROVEMENT: Calgary is seven points ahead of their start through 14 games last season when they owned a record of 4-8-2-0.
2019 CIBC CANADA RUSSIA SERIES: Three Hitmen will play in the WHL stop of the 2019 CIBC Canada Russia Series. Carson Focht and Jett Woo have been named to Team WHL while Egor Zamula will suit up for Russia. The CIBC Canada Russia series opens 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.
WHL CUP: Three Hitmen prospects took part in the 2019 WHL Cup last month featuring the top 2004-born players in Western Canada. Grayden Siepmann was on Team BC, Billal Noori on Team Alberta and Ethan Buenaventura with Team Manitoba. All three were selected by the Hitmen in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. Buenaventura won silver and posted a 3.34 goals against average and .897 save percentage, Siepmann took home silver and tallied four assists while Noori had a strong tournament with five points (4g, 1a).
FIDDLER-SCHULTZ FILLS A FORD: Hitmen teammates Riley Fiddler-Schultz and Luke Prokop will be collecting donations to The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary on Sunday, Nov. 10. They will be parked outside the Calgary Co-op in Signal Hill (4940 Richmond Road SW) from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. All non-perishable items will be accepted with an emphasis on breakfast items and toiletries with each donor receiving a signed autograph card. Grocery store gift cards are also welcome.
POST-GAME AUTOGRAPHS: Meet defenceman Luke Prokop after today's game against Prince Albert. Luke will be signing autographs at the Hitmen Booster Club table located behind section 212.
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.
JERSEY AUCTION: The Hitmen are selling their special Bret 'The Hitman' Hart jerseys worn by the team on Nov. 2 online at elevateauctions.com. Net proceeds will be donated to the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. Bidding is underway and closes at 8:00 p.m. MT on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Each game-worn and game-issued black and pink jersey inspired by Hart's ring attire is authentically autographed by Bret Hart and the individual Hitmen player.
PROSPECT PROFILE: The Hitmen selected Brandon Whynott in the second round, 35th overall in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. Whynott is a 6'1", 161-pound forward from Langley, BC who played Bantam Prep with the Yale Lions last season recording 32 points (17g, 15a) in 30 games. The Lions also went on to win the CSSBHL Championship where Whynott added another two points (1g, 1a) in five games. This season he has advanced to Midget Prep with Yale. In nine games the 15-year-old has six points (3g, 3a).
UPCOMING GAMES All times MT. Schedule subject to change.
Date Opponent Time Broadcast
Fri., Nov. 8 vs. TC 7:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sat., Nov. 9 at EDM 7:00 PM Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Sat., Nov. 16 at SAS 6:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
Sun., Nov. 17 at PA 5:00 PM Sportsnet.ca/960 (Alt Stream)
Wed., Nov. 20 at REG 6:00 PM Sportsnet 960-The Fan
PROMO CALENDAR
Hitmen single game tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations. Upcoming home game highlights include: - RE/MAX Chuck-A-Puck on Nov. 8 vs. TC. Four lucky participants will win a hot air balloon ride courtesy of RE/MAX - Christmas Miracles for SHINE on Fri. Nov. 29 vs. REG - ENMAX Teddy Bear Toss on Sun. Dec. 1 vs. RD
- Carols for Christmas on Fri. 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 Mon. Dec. 30 vs. EDM
MILESTONE WATCH - Mark Kastelic is three goals away from 100. Kastelic is also 15th on the clubs all-time points list at 180, one back of Michael Stone who is 14th with 181 points.
- Riley Stotts is three games short of 200.
- Layne Toder played career game 150 last Saturday against Saskatoon.
Western Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2019
- Oil Kings Unveil R2D2-Inspired Jerseys for Third Annual Star Wars Night - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blades Acquire Matej Toman - Saskatoon Blades
- Cougars Welcome Back Vladislav Mikhalchuk, Trade Toman to Saskatoon - Prince George Cougars
- Brett Balas Reassigned - Spokane Chiefs
- Broncos Sign Free Agent Forward Jaxan Kaluski to SPA - Swift Current Broncos
- Alumni in College:| October 2019 - Portland Winterhawks
- Saskatoon Receives Pick from Moose Jaw - Saskatoon Blades
- Cougars Announce Leadership Group - Prince George Cougars
- Warriors Acquire Import Defenceman - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game 17 at Prince George - Medicine Hat Tigers
- ICE Look to Finish Home-Stand with a Win - Winnipeg Ice
- Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Wednesday, November 6 vs. Prince Albert - Calgary Hitmen
- Raiders Hand Oil Kings Second Regulation Loss, Snap 12-Game Point Streak - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Rebels Struggle in the Second Period; Lose 5-2 in Brandon - Red Deer Rebels
- Raiders Double Up Oil Kings In Edmonton - Prince Albert Raiders
- Wheat Kings Down Rebels - Brandon Wheat Kings
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