WHL This Week: Looking Ahead...
Published on October 29, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, AB - The 2009-10 Western Hockey League schedule its final week of play for the month of October with a busy schedule of 22 games slated for the weekend, including seven on Halloween night on Saturday.
In Chlliwack, B.C., the Bruins will be celebrating Halloween with a Halloween Bash on Saturday when they host the Calgary Hitmen. The game will have a special 2:00pm start time, leaving plenty of time for trick-or-treating in the evening. Bruins' fans 12 and under who are wearing a costume can attend the game for free, and fans are welcome to skate with the Bruins following the game.
In Medicine Hat, the Tigers will kick off their Dusters for Dollars campaign this weekend. In an effort to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, Tigers players, along with members of the Medicine Hat community, will grow mustaches throughout the month of November.
The Tigers will have some competition in the moustache-growing department as the Swift Current Broncos will mark Movember Kick-Off Night by beginning their mustache-growing campaign to support the Canadian Cancer Society and raise awareness about prostate cancer and other male cancers.
In Moose Jaw, Friday night is Pink Night when the Warriors welcome East Division rivals the Swift Current Broncos. Fans will be encouraged to wear pink in support of Women's Cancer Awareness Month, and Warriors players will don pink tape and laces during the game. In addition, Warriors' head coach Dave Hunchak will have his head shaved to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society.
In Prince Albert, the Raiders will also be Wearing Pink to promote Breast Cancer Awareness at their game on Friday night versus the visiting Regina Pats.
In Prince George, Saturday night is Halloween Family Fun Night when the Cougars host the Tri-City Americans. The Cycstic Fibrosis Foundation will be selling frightlights at the game to raise funds for Canadians living with the disease.
In Spokane, the Chiefs will celebrate Halloween Night when they welcome the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday. Kids will be able to do some trick-or-treating, and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.
In Vancouver, fans are encouraged to show off their Halloween Costumes a day early when the Giants host the Hitmen on Friday night.
WESTERN CANADA UNDER-16 CHALLENGE CUP
The inaugural Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup is set to begin today in Blackfalds, AB, bringing together the top U-16 prospects representing the four western provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C.
TEAM WHL NEWS...
Calgary, AB - 33 WHL players have been named to Team WHL as the Canadian Hockey League in association with the Western Hockey League and SUBWAY(r) today announced the rosters for Team WHL competing in the 2009 SUBWAY(r) Super Series.
KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS...
Calgary Hitmen @ Vancouver Giants
Friday, October 30th
Lance Bouma and the Vancouver Giants host Brandon Kozun and the Calgary Hitmen for a battle between division leaders on Friday night.
The Giants are coming off a three-games-in-three-nights weekend last week, earning a 2-0-1 record in that stretch, and currently hold a five-point lead atop the B.C. Division. The Giants are 2-0 versus Central Division teams this season, having beaten both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat already. Bouma, a Calgary Flames prospect, has 13 points this season (3g, 10a).
The Hitmen fell 4-1 in Kelowna to the Rockets on Wednesday night, snapping their five-game winning streak, but remain four points clear for first place in the Central Division. Wednesday's loss was only Calgary's second road defeat this season, dropping their road record to 8-2. Kozun (8g, 20a) leads the WHL in scoring with 28 points.
It's the first of two meetings between the Giants and Hitmen this season. Calgary won both meetings versus Vancouver last season, including a 4-0 triumph in Vancouver on March 6th.
Saskatoon Blades @ Moose Jaw Warriors
Saturday, October 31st
Quinton Howden and the Moose Jaw Warriors host Curtis Hamilton and the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday for a battle between top teams in the very competitive East Division.
The Warriors are coming off a 5-4 loss in Lethbridge last Sunday, snapping a five-game winning streak, and currently share second place in the East Division with Brandon, but sit only two points behind the Blades for first place. The Warriors have won six straight games at home, and have outscored their opponents 31-22. Howden, the Warriors' fourth-leading scorer, was named to Team WHL for the Subway Super Series.
The Blades defeated the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers 7-2 on Tuesday for their second win in a row and their eighth victory in nine games, and currently sit atop the East Division. The Blades have surrendered an Eastern Conference-low 37 goals this season. Hamilton is one of two Blades who will suit up for Team WHL at the Subway Super Series.
It's the first meeting of the season between the Blades and Warriors. The Blades won six of eight encounters with the Warriors last season, including three of four visits to Moose Jaw.
The Blades will host the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Warriors will host the Swift Current Broncos, another tough East Division club, on Friday prior to Saturday's head-to-head meeting.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE - October 30 - November 1
All times local
WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL WEB TV
Friday, Oct. 30
Chilliwack @ Kamloops; 7:00 Spokane @ Kelowna; 7:00 Brandon @ Kootenay; 7:00 Seattle @ Lethbridge; 7:00 Swift Current @ Moose Jaw; 7:00 Regina @ Prince Albert; 7:00 Tri-City @ Prince George; 7:00 Medicine Hat @ Red Deer; 7:30 Edmonton @ Saskatoon; 7:05 Calgary @ Vancouver; 7:30
Saturday, Oct. 31 (Halloween)
Calgary @ Chilliwack; 2:00 Brandon @ Lethbridge; 7:00 Seattle @ Medicine Hat; 7:30 Saskatoon @ Moose Jaw; 7:00 Tri-City @ Prince George; 7:00 Everett @ Red Deer; 7:30 Portland @ Spokane; 7:00
Sunday, Nov. 1
Everett @ Edmonton; 2:00 Seattle @ Kootenay; 6:00 Spokane @ Portland; 5:00 Saskatoon @ Swift Current; 7:00 Chilliwack @ Vancouver; 5:00
Western Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2009
- Cowen And Koper Named To Team WHL - Spokane Chiefs
- Two Oil Kings Will Compete In The Subway Super Series - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Brett Ponich To Play For Team WHL In The 2009 Subway Super Series - Portland Winterhawks
- Two Pats To Play In Subway Super Series - Regina Pats
- Raiders To Wear Special Jerseys For Cancer Awareness Night Tomorrow - Prince Albert Raiders
- WHL This Week: Looking Ahead... - WHL
- Cougars & Hubbell Designer Goldsmiths Announce Player Of The Month - Prince George Cougars
- Myers to stick with Sabres of the NHL - Kelowna Rockets
- Kelowna players named to Team WHL in Subway Super Series - Kelowna Rockets
- Shinnimin To Compete For Team WHL At Subway Super Series - Tri-City Americans
- Brett Connolly To Take Part In 2009 Subway Super Series - Prince George Cougars
- Pair Of Broncos Make Team WHL - Swift Current Broncos
- Ashton Selected For Team WHL - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Blades Send Two To Subway Super Series - Saskatoon Blades
- Team WHL Rosters Announced For Subway Super Series - WHL
- Western Canada Under-16 Challenge Cup Begins Today - WHL
- Wheat Kings Edge The Chiefs - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Calgary Hitmen Open BC Road Trip With 4-1 Loss In Kelowna - Calgary Hitmen
- Everett Takes Down Kootenay, 4-1 - Everett Silvertips
- Gore's 44 Saves Snap Americans Win Streak - Tri-City Americans
- Rockets Defeat Calgary - Kelowna Rockets
- Beach Has Hat Trick, Chiefs Drop Decision - Spokane Chiefs
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