Hitmen to play four games in six nights
Published on January 15, 2007 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
HITMEN HEADLINES: A busy schedule continues for the Calgary Hitmen as they play their fifth game in eight days tonight at home against Kootenay. The Hitmen are coming Sunday's 3-2 OT loss to Swift Current despite out shooting the Broncos 50-21. Ryan White and Keegan Dansereau scored in the loss while Dan Mercer had two assists, his first two points as a Hitmen. Martin Jones made 18 saves in the Hitmen net, while Travis Yonkman blocked 48 shots for the Broncos. Calgary was 1-5 on the powerplay, Swift Current 1-3. The Hitmen are now 24-17-1-3. They are fourth in the Central Division with 52 points three points behind Red Deer for third, and three ahead of Lethbridge for fifth.
VS KOOTENAY: Tonight is the fifth of eight meetings this season. The Ice lead the season series with a 3-1-0-0 record. Their next meeting is Wednesday January 31st in Calgary.
-Oct 6 in CGY: Ice 8 Hitmen 4. Ryan Russell and Ben Maxwell combined for eight points. Russell (3G1A), Maxwell (2G2A).
-Nov 15 in CGY: Hitmen 4 Ice 3. Karl Alzner 1G2A.
-Nov 17 at KTN: Ice 4 Hitmen 3. Andrew Bailey 2G
-Jan 13 at KTN: Ice 5 Hitmen 2. Mike Busto 2G2A.
INSIDE THE SEASON SERIES
Shots: Calgary 131 Kootenay 124 Powerplays: Calgary 7-27 25.9% Kootenay 5-28 17.9%
POINT STREAKS: Ryan White has points in 12 of his last 13 games (9g+10a=18pts). Freddie Pettersson is on a two game point streak (2a).
LIFE ON THE BUS: Following tonight's home game against Kootenay, the Hitmen will play 9 of their next 13 games on the road.
TOP 10: Ryan White is second in WHL scoring with (21g37a=58pts). He's also tied for fourth in assists. Brodie Dupont is tied for tenth in goals scored with 23. Alex Plante is tied for seventh in defencemen scoring with 34 points (8g26a). Dan Spence tied for third in wins with19, and tied for fourth in shutouts with 4.
CAREER WATCH: Steve Covington played his 300th regular season game on Sunday against Swift Current. He's now fifth on the franchises games played list.
MID SEASON NHL DRAFT RANKINGS: Central Scouting has released its mid season rankings for the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Four Hitmen are among the top North American prospects. Karl Alzner is 8th, Alex Plante 56th, Brett Sonne 91st and Eric Frere 181st among skaters. Alzner, Sonne and Plante will all suit up in the CHL Top Prospects Game Wednesday night in Quebec City.
DID YOU KNOW? Brodie Dupont and Ryan White have both had 11 game point streaks this season. Dupont's was in October, while White's ended on January 9th in Medicine Hat.
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 24 players; (14 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 4 (16 year-olds).
INJURIES: Dylan Yeo (Ankle Day-to-Day), Brodie Dupont (Back Day-to Day), Brendan Rowinski (Shoulder 1 week).
SPECIAL TEAMS: Calgary is 63-296 on the powerplay. That's second in the WHL at 21.3%. The penalty kill has surrendered 51 goals on 322 chances. It's fifth at 84.2%.
VS. CENTRAL DIVISION: The Hitmen are 10-12-0-1 against teams from their own division.
HITMEN ALUMNI: Paul Albers who played parts of three seasons with the Hitmen from 2001-02 to 2003-04 is in the ECHL with the Texas Wildcatters. The defenceman has 26 points (9g17a) in 35 games.
SCHEDULE CHANGE: The Calgary/Kelowna game on January 28th originally scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Pengrowth Saddledome will now start at 1 o'clock. The change is to accommodate Rogers Sportsnet.
UPCOMING GAMES: The Hitmen leave Thursday for a three game in three night road trip versus the Eastern Division starting Friday in Prince Albert. Calgary will also play Saturday in Saskatoon and Sunday in Swift Current.
Western Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2007
- Spokane Explodes for Three Quick Goals, Beats Portland 7-4 - Portland Winterhawks
- WHL Announces Three Game Time Changes - WHL
- Hitmen to play four games in six nights - Calgary Hitmen
- Big Weekend Ahead for Silvertips - Everett Silvertips
- Stevens named BOSTON PIZZA WHL Player of the Week - WHL
- Fans to choose Wheat King MVP - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Giants Weekly Recap - Vancouver Giants
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.
