Rebels Blank Hitmen, 3-0
March 31, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Red Deer, AB - Making their first trip to the Western Hockey League Playoffs since 2019, the Calgary Hitmen opened their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series with Red Deer on Friday night, falling 3-0 to the Rebels.
Goaltender Kyle Kelsey made 25 saves for the shutout while Kai Uchacz, Jayden Grubbe and Frantisek Formanek supplied the goals for the home side. The Uchacz marker came late in the first period and the game stayed that way until the final seven minutes of regulation when the Rebels added a pair of goals just over four minutes apart to seal the victory.
The Hitmen weren't without their chances, especially in the second period when Kelsey turned aside dangerous opportunities for both Maxim Muranov on a partial break and David Adaszynski on the power play.
Brayden Peters went the distance in the Hitmen net and gave his team a chance to win making a game high 33 saves.
On the special teams front the penalty killers won the night as the Hitmen killed all six shorthanded situations while Red Deer held the Calgary power play to 0-5.
There is little rest for either team as this series will resume tomorrow, Saturday, April 1 in Red Deer with Game 2. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. at Peavey Mart Centrium.
Playoff tickets for Games 3 and 4 back in Calgary at Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 5 are on sale now at hitmenhockey.com.
Western Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2023
- Rebels Blank Hitmen, 3-0 - Calgary Hitmen
- ICE Top tigers, Winnipeg Leads Best of 7 Series 1-0 - Winnipeg Ice
- Tigers Drop Playoff Opener 5-3 to Ice - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rockets To Open Playoffs On The Road - Kelowna Rockets
- Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 1 vs Everett - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Day Preview Game 1 WHL Playoffs at Winnipeg - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Playoffs: Blades vs Pats at 7:00pm CST - Saskatoon Blades
- Warriors Ready to Open Playoffs against Hurricanes - Moose Jaw Warriors
- 2023 WHL Playoffs Presented by Nutrien Open Tonight - WHL
- Pats Take on Blades in Game 1 - Regina Pats
- Josh Filmon Signs Entry-Level Contract with New Jersey Devils - Swift Current Broncos
- Americans Open 2023 WHL Playoffs in Prince George - Tri-City Americans
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.
