Hitmen Fall to Giants 5-4 in Overtime
January 3, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Langley, BC -The Calgary Hitmen's B.C. Division road trip made its stop at the Langley Events Centre to face off with Vancouver Giants tonight. For the second game in a row, the game was decided in overtime, with Calgary falling 5-4 to Vancouver.
Mazden Leslie and Ty Thorpe notched the first two of the game giving Vancouver an early lead going into the second period. The lone goal of the period would belong to David Adaszynski to cut the lead in half heading into the final frame. A scrum in the last four minutes of the period resulted in Tyson Galloway and Ethan Moore being ejected from the game, alongside Matthew Edwards and Marek Howell of Vancouver.
Vancouver would restore their two-goal lead at the beginning of the third on the powerplay courtesy of Ty Halaburda. Carter Yakemchuk scored his 15th and 16th goals of the season back-to-back to tie the game at the 13-minute mark. A power play opportunity for Calgary would prove successful with Max Muranov scoring to give them their first lead of the game heading into the final minutes. With Vancouver netminder Brett Mirwald on the bench and an extra attacker, Leslie was able to capitalize for his second of the game, forcing overtime. A 2-on-0 opportunity for Calgary was denied, one of multiple chances for Calgary which they were unable to convert. It would be Mazden Leslie who would score for Vancouver completing a hat trick, giving them the two points and the victory.
Carter Yakemchuk earned second star with his two-goal performance, putting him one point shy of 100 career points.
The road trip makes its final stop in Kamloops against the Blazers on Friday, Jan. 5. Calgary will then open a seven-game homestand on Sunday, Jan. 7 against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome in another Sunday Funday presented by Brookfield Residential.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2024
- Cougars Begin 2024 With 6-2 Win Over Wenatchee - Prince George Cougars
- Hitmen Fall to Giants 5-4 in Overtime - Calgary Hitmen
- Funk Notches Hat Trick for Prince George as Wild Fall to Cougars Wednesday, 6-2 - Wenatchee Wild
- Late Penalties Hurt Broncos in Loss to Hurricanes - Swift Current Broncos
- Oil Kings Snag Win in Kamloops - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Cougars Forward Parascak Named WHL Rookie of the Month for December - Prince George Cougars
- Minnesota Wild Prospect Heidt Named WHL Player of the Month for December - Prince George Cougars
- WHL Announces Monthly Award Winners for December - WHL
- Marek Schlenker Signs WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement with Winterhawks - Portland Winterhawks
- Preview: Oil Kings at Kamloops Blazers - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Valis Makes Cougars Debut; Cougars Begin 2024 against Wenatchee - Prince George Cougars
- Wiesblatt Wins It Over The Rebels In Overtime - Medicine Hat Tigers
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