WHL Calgary Hitmen

Hitmen/Ice Playoff Series shifts to Calgary

Published on March 26, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release


HITMEN HEADLINES: The Calgary/Kootenay playoff series shifts to Calgary for Game 3 tonight in the Pengrowth Saddledome. The Best-of-Seven East Conference Quarterfinal is tied 1-1. The Ice drew even by taking Game 2 in Cranbrook Saturday night thanks to a come from behind 4-2 win. The Hitmen jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on goals from Brodie Dupont and Ryan White. It stayed that way until the Ice started the comeback late in the second period. Ryan Russell scored twice, including an empty netter while Ben Maxwell and Dustin Sylvester also scored for Kootenay. The Hitmen outshot the Ice 41-31 but Taylor Dakers turned in a first star performance. Dan Spence made 27 saves in the Hitmen net and took the loss. Calgary went 2-9 on the powerplay while Kootenay was 1-6.

PLAYOFF SERIES RECAP: Best of Seven East Conference Quarterfinal Series tied 1-1.

-March 23 in KTN: Hitmen 2 Ice 1. Derek LeBlanc game winning goal with 2:27 remaining.

-March 24 in KTN: Ice 4 Hitmen 3. Kootenay overcame a 2-0 deficit. Ryan Russell 2g.

INSIDE THE SERIES

Shots: Calgary 63 Kootenay 57 Powerplays: Calgary 2-18 11.1% Kootenay 1-15 6.6%

REGULAR SEASON VS KOOTENAY: The Hitmen and Ice met eight times with Kootenay winning the season series sporting a record of 6-2-0-0 (4-0 in Cranbrook, 2-2 in Calgary). The Ice outscored Calgary by a combined 32-24. Ryan White led all Hitmen scorers against Kootenay with 11 points (5g6a), while Ryan Russell topped the Ice with 14 points (5g9a). Shots: Kootenay 253 Calgary 240, Powerplays: Calgary 11-50 22% Kootenay 10-52 19.2%

GREAT STARTS: The Hitmen have had strong first periods so far this series outshooting the Ice by a combined 24-13 and outscoring them 3-0.

POINT STREAKS: Brodie Dupont and Keegan Dansereau are both on two game point streaks. Dupont (1g2a), Dansereau (2a).

CAREER WATCH: Derek LeBlanc has the most playoff points of any Hitmen (9g+14a=23pts). LeBlanc has also played the most playoff games of any Hitmen with 50. Steve Covington is next with 34.

PLAYOFF HISTORY: This is the third playoff meeting between the Hitmen and Ice. In 1999, Calgary eliminated Kootenay in seven games in the opening round. In 2000, the Ice ousted the Hitmen in five games to win the Eastern Conference Championship. On both occasions the series winner went on to win the WHL Championship.

WHL ALL STARS: A pair of Hitmen have been recognized by the WHL for a strong regular season. Ryan White has been named an East Conference First Team All Star while Karl Alzner is a Second Team East Conference All Star.

AWARDS NIGHT: The Calgary Hitmen honored the season's best on March 18th with their annual awards banquet. Ryan White captured three awards; Player of the Year, Fan Favorite and Three Star Award. Karl Alzner took home two trophies; Top Defenceman and Coaches Award. Rookie of the Year honors were shared by Martin Jones and Michael Stone. Humanitarian of the Year went to Dylan Yeo. The Scholastic Player Award went to Brett Plouffe while Ian Duval was named Most Sportsmanlike.

MID SEASON NHL DRAFT RANKINGS: Four Hitmen are among Central Scouting's Top Prospects for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. The mid-season rankings have Karl Alzner at 8th, Alex Plante 56th, Brett Sonne 91st and Eric Frere 181st among North American skaters. Alzner, Plante and Sonne all played in CHL Top Prospects game in Quebec City. Meanwhile International Scouting Service has released its list of the Top Draft Prospects which includes both North Americans and Europeans. Among the top 30 skaters Karl Alzner is ranked 2nd, Alex Plante 16th.

DRAFTED PLAYERS: The Hitmen have 4 NHL picks ...Ryan White-(3rd round Montreal 2006), Robin Figren - (3rd round NYI 2006), Brodie Dupont-(3rd round NY Rangers 2005), Freddie Pettersson-(5th round Edmonton 2005).

THE ROSTER: Calgary is carrying 26 players; (16 forwards, 8 defencemen and 2 goalies)

Break down: 3 (20-year-olds), 5 (19-year-olds), 8 (18-year-olds), 4 (17-year-olds), and 6 (16-year-olds).

UPCOMING GAMES: Game 4 in Calgary Thursday, March 29th, Game 5 (if necessary) in Kootenay Saturday, March 31st, Game 6 (if necessary) in Calgary Monday, April 2nd, Game 7 (if necessary) in Kootenay Wednesday, April 4th. All games start at 7 p.m.

Check out the Calgary Hitmen Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 26, 2007


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