Hitmen to host Prince George Wednesday, Lethbridge Thursday
Published on October 14, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
HITMEN HEADLINES: The Calgary Hitmen play the first of two games in two nights Wednesday night at the Pengrowth Saddledome when they host the Prince George Cougars. The Hitmen had their season high five game winning streak halted Sunday evening in a 3-1 loss to Saskatoon. After a scoreless first period the two teams exchanged goals in the second period with Ian Schultz first giving Calgary the lead only to see the Blades tie it nine seconds later. In the third, Gaelan Patterson scored the game winner for Saskatoon lass than four minutes into the final frame. The Blades would then add an empty netter to preserve the win. Final Shots; Blades 24 Hitmen 23. Calgary went 1-5 on the powerplay while Saskatoon was 0-5.
VS PRINCE GEORGE: This is the first of two meetings with the Cougars. Last season Calgary was 2-0 against Prince George posting wins of 5-3 in BC on October 7th and 6-2 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in the Petro-Canada Teddy Bear Toss on December 2nd.
STREAKIN': Including four saves in the September 27th shootout win over Kootenay, Dan Spence has stopped 90 of 94 shots in his last three starts for a save percentage of .957. Michael Stone (4a) is riding a three game point streak. Meanwhile Brandon Kozun (4g 3a) and Brett Sonne (2g 6a) both saw their four game streaks halted Sunday against Saskatoon.
2008-09 HITMEN STANDINGS: Record (7-3-0-0). Home (6-1-0-0). Road (1-2-0-0). Central Division (1st). Conference (Tied 2nd).
HITMEN TEAM LEADERS:
Goals (8) Brandon Kozun Points (15) Brett Sonne Plus/Minus (+4) Alex Plante, Brett Sonne
Assists (11) Brett Sonne PIM (29) Rigby Burgart Wins (4) Dan Spence
DID YOU KNOW? Including Wednesday's game, the Hitmen will play four of their next five games at the Pengrowth Saddledome. Calgary has scored 16 of their 34 goals (47.1%) in the second period.
CAREER WATCH: Martin Jones passed the 1,000 save mark Sunday against Saskatoon becoming the 10th goalie in franchise history to reach that milestone.
DRAFTED PLAYERS: The Hitmen have seven NHL picks ...Carson McMillan-(7th round Minnesota 2007), Alex Plante (1st round Edmonton 2007), Paul Postma-(7th round Atlanta 2007), Ian Schultz-(3rd round St. Louis 2008), Keith Seabrook-(2nd round Washington 2006), Brett Sonne-(3rd round St. Louis 2007) and Michael Stone-(3rd round Phoenix 2008).
ROSTER MOVES: On Sunday the Hitmen traded 20-year-old forward Ian Duval to the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for the rights to 18-year-old forward Derek Grant and a conditional third round bantam pick in 2010.
THE ROSTER: Calgary is carrying 25 players; (14 forwards, 8 defencemen and 3 goalies)
-Break down....4 (20 year-olds), 6 (19 year-olds), 8 (18 year-olds), 4 (17 year-olds), and 3 (16 year-olds). There are 16 returning players from the 2007-08 season.
SPECIAL TEAM: The Hitmen powerplay has scored at least one goal in five straight games. Meanwhile the penalty kill has only allowed a goal in two of 10 games this season.
HITMEN ALUMNI: Ryan White is in the American Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens farm team in Hamilton. White has one goal in two games with the Bulldogs and is a +1.
FRIDGE MAGNET GIVE-AWAY: It is Dodge/Wendy's Fridge Magnet Night as the Hitmen schedule magnets will be given away free to fans upon exit tonight.
UPCOMING GAMES: The Hitmen are back on the Pengrowth Saddledome tomorrow night to host the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Calgary is 2-0 against the 'Canes this season. Game time is 7:00 p.m. The Hitmen then head to Edmonton for a game Sunday afternoon.
Western Hockey League Stories from October 14, 2008
- Broncos Set to Re-lauch Website - Swift Current Broncos
- Edmonton Oil Kings Make Timely Delivery To The Food Bank - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Chiefs Weekly Report - Spokane Chiefs
- Hitmen to host Prince George Wednesday, Lethbridge Thursday - Calgary Hitmen
- Season Tickets to be released October 21 - Prince Albert Raiders
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