WHL This Week: Looking Ahead...
Published on February 26, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
In Brandon, the Wheat Kings will honor seven-time Manitoba Men's curling champion Rob Fowler during their game on Friday versus the visiting Saskatoon Blades.
In Calgary, one lucky fan will walk away with a Dodge Caravan at the Hitmen's Saturday night contest versus the visiting Kelowna Rockets. The Hitmen will also be gunning to tie the WHL record by posting their 33rd home-ice win of the season. They currently sit at 32 wins at the Pengrowth Saddledome this season.
In Cranbrook, Friday night is Jersey Off The Back night when the Kootenay Ice host the Regina Pats. Fans will have the chance to bid on game-worn jerseys, with proceeds of the auction benefitting the Ice's Scholarship fund.
In Moose Jaw, it's Red Friday as the Warriors will honor the Canadian Forces at their contest on Friday versus the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes.
In Prince George, the Cougars are set for a game of backyard shinny on Sunday at the home of the Shaws, who were the local winners of the Home Depot Back Yard Rink contest.
In Kent, WA, it's Hockey Challenge 2009 at the ShoWare Center on Saturday when the Seattle Thunderbirds host the Portland Winter Hawks. The event benefits Ronald McDonald House charities in western Washington and Alaska.
In Spokane, Saturday night is Breast Cancer Awareness Night when the Chiefs host U.S. Division archrivals the Tri-City Americans.
In Swift Current, fans will celebrate the 27th birthday of Broncos' team mascot Charlie Horse when the Broncos take on the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings.
FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY ON SHAW...
Landon Ferraro and the Red Deer Rebels host Tyler Myers and the Kelowna Rockets for Friday night's SHAW match-up (7:30pm MST).
The Rebels suffered their sixth straight defeat with a 4-1 loss to the Oil Kings in Edmonton on Wednesday, and currently sit 13 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Rebels are 13-14-0-4 at home this season. Landon Ferraro is the first Rebel to top the 30-goal mark since Kirill Starkov scored 34 times in 2006-07.
The Rockets are coming off a 6-1 win in Medicine Hat over the Tigers on Wednesday for their fourth straight win and their 10th victory in 12 games, and currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Rockets clinched a top-four spot in the Conference with Wednesday's win, giving them home-ice advantage through at least the first playoff round. Kelowna is 15-13-1-2 on the road this season.
It's the second and final meeting of the season between the Rockets and Rebels. The Rebels edged the Rockets 1-0 in Red Deer on December 16th in the first encounter.
KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS...
Saskatoon Blades vs Brandon Wheat Kings
Derek Hulak's Saskatoon Blades meet up with Matt Calvert's Brandon Wheat Kings for a critical three-game series between the teams beginning this weekend.
The teams will play Friday and Saturday in Brandon before meeting up again in Saskatoon on Tuesday.
The Blades have won their last two contests, including an 8-4 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors in their most recent outing on Wednesday, and currently hold a four-point lead over the Wheat Kings for first place in the East Division. The Blades boast an outstanding 25-5-1 record on the road this season.
The Wheat Kings picked up a 4-2 win over visiting Lethbridge on Wednesday, stretching their winning streak to four games. The Wheat Kings hold one game in hand on the Blades, making the three-game showdown between the teams that much more important. Brandon is 21-7-2-1 at home this season.
The upcoming three-game series between the Blades and Wheat Kings will close out the eight-game season series. Saskatoon owns a 3-0-2 record versus Brandon this season.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE - February 27 - March 1
All times local
Friday, Feb. 27
Saskatoon @ Brandon 7:30
Tri-City @ Everett 7:35
Regina @ Kootenay 7:00
Prince Albert @ Medicine Hat 7:30
Lethbridge @ Moose Jaw 7:00
Kamloops @ Prince George 7:00
Kelowna @ Red Deer 7:30 **Live on SHAW**
Portland @ Spokane 7:00
Edmonton @ Swift Current 7:30
Chilliwack @ Vancouver 7:30
Saturday, Feb. 28
Saskatoon @ Brandon 7:30
Kelowna @ Calgary 7:00
Vancouver @ Everett 7:05
Kootenay @ Medicine Hat 7:30
Edmonton @ Moose Jaw 7:00
Kamloops @ Prince George 7:00
Prince Albert @ Red Deer 7:30
Portland @ Seattle 7:05
Tri-City @ Spokane 7:00
Lethbridge @ Swift Current 7:30
Sunday, Mar. 1
Vancouver @ Chilliwack 5:00
Lethbridge @ Regina 6:00
Everett @ Seattle 5:05
Portland @ Tri-City 5:05
Western Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2009
- This Week In Silvertips Hockey - Everett Silvertips
- WHL This Week: Looking Ahead... - WHL
- Tickets Selling Fast for 4th Annual Celebrity Sports Dinner and Auction - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Bruins Increase Archibald's Role - Chilliwack Bruins
- Penner Recalled for Weekend - Prince Albert Raiders
- Bruins Increase Archibald's Role - Chilliwack Bruins
- Cougars Celebrate Canadian Cultural Heritage - Prince George Cougars
- Islander Rookie Game tickets go on sale Monday - Prince Albert Raiders
- Wheat Kings - Blades Showdown - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Wheaties Clinch Home Ice - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Americans Sweep Bruins With 8-1 Rout - Tri-City Americans
- Oil Kings Continue To Dominate Red Deer - Edmonton Oil Kings
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