Rockets Edge Hitmen
December 31, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Calgary Hitmen News Release
Kelowna, BC - The Calgary Hitmen were at Prospera Place tonight, taking to the ice for the final time in 2023 against the Kelowna Rockets.
Special teams were at centre stage in tonight's high scoring 7-6 loss to Kelowna, with the game seeing six power play goals between the two clubs. Calgary found themselves in the penalty box three times in the first five minutes of the game allowing Kelowna to capitalize with one from Andrew Cristall to open the scoring. Calgary would have an answer on their first power play opportunity of the night with Sean Tschigerl's 17th of the season. The forward now extends his goal streak to four games.
The second period saw seven goals, starting with power play goals from both Tyson Galloway and Chase Valliant to make it 3-1 for Calgary. The lead was short lived, with Kelowna finding the back of the net three times to go up 4-3. Andrew Cristall would get his second of the night, while Michael Cicek and Hiroki Gojsic netted Kelowna's third and fourth markers. The game would be tied up once again by Aleksey Chichkin, for his first career WHL goal. Kelowna was able to score once more before the end of the second, regaining the lead courtesy of Gabriel Szturc.
Calgary wasted no time tying the game at the beginning of the third courtesy of Ethan Moore who extended his point streak to five games. Gabriel Szturc answered back less than two minutes later with his second of the game to regain the lead on the power play. Oliver Tulk's 21st of the season would tie the game at 6-6, but Kelowna would fire back once again, capping off a hat trick from Andrew Cristall to take the lead. This would prove to be the game winner with Kelowna holding on to win it 7-6.
Tulk was a standout with four points (1g, 3a) while Tyson Galloway (1g, 2a) recorded his third multi-point game of the season. Calgary's power play went three for three in tonight's contest.
The road trip resumes on New Years Day with a Monday, Jan. 1 matinee in Victoria against the Royals. Game time is 4:05 p.m. MST. The swing also takes the club to Langley to meet the Vancouver Giants (Jan. 3) before wrapping in Kamloops (Jan. 5). Calgary will then open a seven-game homestand on Sunday, Jan. 7 against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Western Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2023
- Hawks Win Third Straight 3-0 Over VAN - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Acquire Borya Valis from Regina Pats - Prince George Cougars
- Pats Deal Valis to Cougars for Former First Round Pick Buczkowski & Two Draft Picks - Regina Pats
- Blades Complete New Year's Ever Blockbuster Acquiring Suzdalev from Pats - Saskatoon Blades
- Silvertips Acquire Overage Defender Parker Berge from Regina - Everett Silvertips
- Yager with Two Points in Canada's Win over Germany - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Chiefs Begin Seven Game Road Trip with Rematch Versus Americans in Kennewick - Spokane Chiefs
- Pats Acquire Ty Gibson and Second Round Pick from Everett for Berge - Regina Pats
- Silvertips Close out 2023 with 5-4 Win in Kent - Everett Silvertips
- Game Day Hub: December 31 vs. Vancouver - Portland Winterhawks
- Tigers Acquire Pacheco from Rockets - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Rockets Acquire Okanagan Product Calhoon And Picks From Tigers - Kelowna Rockets
- Preview: Americans vs Chiefs - December 31 - Tri-City Americans
- Rockets' Win Streak Continues - Kelowna Rockets
- Rockets Edge Hitmen - Calgary Hitmen
- Berty, Catton Combine for 8 Points in 6-2 Thrashing Over Rival Tri-City - Spokane Chiefs
- Cougars Celebrate Back-To-Back Wins to Conclude 2023 - Prince George Cougars
- Tigers Fall in Final Game of 2023 4-2 to Hurricanes - Medicine Hat Tigers
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