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WHL Calgary Hitmen

Hats Off Again To Gennaro As Hitmen Down Rebels

January 19, 2017 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


Matteo Gennaro's hat collection just expanded.

The centre notched a hat-trick for the second consecutive game to lead his Calgary Hitmen to a 4-1 win over the visiting Red Deer Rebels in front of 5,324 tonight at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

"When you're feeling it, you're feeling it," said Gennaro, who has remarkably netted 14 goals in his last nine games, including his first-career hat-trick in Sunday's home win over Lethbridge.

"I'm just shooting the puck and getting to the areas where scoring chances increase. A lot of it has to do with my linemates and us knowing where each other are going to be.

"Individually, you're going to do well when the team is doing well."

The 19-year-old Winnipeg Jets prospect, who now has 25 goals on the season, was left with a souvenir on the left side of his face after dropping the gloves with Red Deer centre Adam Musil at the tail end of the second period.

"Not really my forte, but I'm working on it," joked Gennaro, who was hounded by the Rebels from opening puck drop to the final buzzer.

So much for that game plan.

"They're just doing their job trying to get me off my game," shrugged Gennaro, on the extra attention he has attracted. "It's a divisional rivalry so it's always going to be a bit chippy."

Jake Kryski also scored and Jake Bean and Beck Malenstyn each pitched in with two assists for the Hitmen, who moved within two points of the Saskatoon Blades for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Lane Zablocki replied for the Rebels.

Hitmen netminder Trevor Martin - in his first start against Red Deer since the Rebels released him in mid-October - made 22 saves for his third win in four games since arriving in the Stampede City.

"There was maybe a little (extra motivation), but at the end of the day it's just another game," said Martin, on facing his former team. "I thought the guys played extremely well tonight. I barely had to do anything out there."

The Hitmen have now won back-to-back games and collected points in seven of their last 10 outings (4-3-2-1).

"The guys are feeling good," Martin said. "We have a great group of guys and we're having fun and keeping it loose. We're rolling right now, but we have a lot of hockey left so we need to keep playing our game."

The Hitmen (17-20-4-2) welcome Calgary Flames prospect Matthew Phillips and the Victoria Royals (24-18-4-0) to the 'Dome on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.

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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.

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