Hitmen On Christmas Break Then Visit Kootenay Ice Sunday
December 21, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
CALGARY HITMEN NEWS AND NOTES
HITMEN HEADLINES: The Calgary Hitmen return to action Sunday following the Christmas Break. The Hitmen haven't played since a December 19th loss in Medicine Hat falling 6-4 to the Tigers. Calgary jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Tyler Fiddler and Joel Broda before Medicine Hat rattled off six straight. Matt MacKenzie and Tyler Fiddler, with his second goal of the game, rounded out the Hitmen scoring. Misha Fisenko had three assists in the loss. Calgary is 26-9-1-1 on the season. At 54 points they hold a two point lead over Saskatoon, Brandon and Tri-City for top spot in the WHL Standings and a four point bulge over Medicine Hat for number one in the Central Division.
VS KOOTENAY: Sunday is the fifth of eight meetings with the Ice. Calgary leads the season series 4-0 outscoring the Ice by a combined 15-6.
Oct. 2 in Cranbrook; Hitmen 2 Ice 1. Hitmen goalie Michael Snider 39 saves.
Nov. 11 in Calgary; Hitmen 7 Ice 2. Brandon Kozun 1g 3a as the Hitmen got goals from seven different players.
Dec. 11 in Cranbrook; Hitmen 3 Ice 1. Martin Jones made 24 saves in a first star performance.
Dec. 13 in Calgary; Hitmen 3 Ice 2 in a shootout. Chase Schaber scored the shootout winner after Del Cowan forced overtime with 2:41 remaining.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on goal: Koot 130 Cal 123 Powerplays: Cal 5-17 29.4% Koot 1-21 4.8%
The Hitmen and Ice will meet again on Thursday, January 7th in Calgary.
POWER OUTAGE: The Hitmen have the number one powerplay in the WHL operating at 28.6%. However in the last three games Calgary is a combined 0-17 with the man advantage while the penalty kill in that same span has killed 10 of 11 shorthanded situations.
WORLD JUNIOR BOUND: Three members of the Hitmen are in the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship. Brandon Kozun and Martin Jones have both been named to Team Canada while Misha Fisenko will suit up for Team Russia. This sets a new franchise record for most Hitmen to play in a single World Junior Tournament. It's also now seven years in a row the Hitmen have had at least one player suit up for Team Canada. 2010: Martin Jones, Brandon Kozun, 2009: Brett Sonne, 2008: Karl Alzner, 2007: Karl Alzner, 2006: Justin Pogge, 2005: Ryan Getzlaf, Andrew Ladd, 2004: Ryan Getzlaf.
STREAKIN': Brandon Kozun (8g 7a) is riding a five game point streak. Michael Stone (5g 15a) has points in 14 of his last 15 games. Joel Broda has points in 10 of his last 11 (11g 10a). Giffen Nyren (8a) has points in six of his last seven games. Del Cowan at three games (2g 1a) and Cody Beach (2a) at two games both had their point streaks snapped December 19th in Medicine Hat.
HITMEN VS: (Bran 1-1), (Cwk 1-1), (Edm 4-0), (Evt 1-0), (Kam 0-0), (Kel 0-1), (Ktn 4-0), (Leth 0-1), (MH 2-1-0-1), (MJ 1-2), (Port 1-0), (PA 0-1), (PG 1-0), (RD 3-0), (Reg 2-0), (Sask 1-1), (Sea 1-0), (Spok 0-1), (SC 1-0), (TC 0-0), (Van 2-0)
DRAFTED PLAYERS: The Hitmen have six NHL prospects... Joel Broda-(5th round Washington 2008), Kris Foucault-(4th round Minnesota 2009), Martin Jones-(FA signing LA Kings 2008), Brandon Kozun-(6th round LA 2009), Ian Schultz-(3rd round St. Louis 2008), Michael Stone-(3rd round Phoenix 2008).
DODGE SKATE WITH THE HITMEN: The Calgary Hitmen are proud to once again partner with Dodge for the 10th Annual Dodge Skate with the Hitmen. Following the Sunday, January 3rd Hitmen home game against the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes fans can skate with the Hitmen. The entire 2009-10 Calgary Hitmen team will attend this event. Admission is FREE with your game ticket. Fans can lace up their skates in the Olympia Entrance at Section 104. Parents are reminded children under 12 must wear a helmet. Pucks, sticks, shoes, strollers and chairs are NOT allowed on the ice.
UP NEXT: The Hitmen return home on Tuesday to open a four game home stand against the Regina Pats. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the Pengrowth Saddledome.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2009
- On The Bench Contest Winner Announced - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Civic Center To Shine - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Hitmen On Christmas Break Then Visit Kootenay Ice Sunday - Calgary Hitmen
- Calgary Hitmen Defenceman Matt Mackenzie Named To 2010 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - Calgary Hitmen
- Pickard Selected For CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Hamilton Named To Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - Saskatoon Blades
- Pats Weekly - Regina Pats
- 13 WHL Players Named To 2010 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - WHL
- Kootenay Ice's Brayden McNabb Named Boston Pizza WHL Player Of The Week - WHL
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