WHL Western Hockey League

WHL This Week: Looking Ahead...

Published on December 10, 2009 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, AB - The 2009-10 Western Hockey League schedule enters the second weekend of play in December with 23 games on the schedule for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

This weekend will see more WHL Clubs hold their annual Teddy Bear and Toque Toss events. WHL Clubs are aiming to break the record of 26,919 stuffed animals collected in Calgary last year.

Teddy Bear / Toque Toss events will be taking place on Friday night in Brandon, Kootenay and Prince Albert. On Saturday night, it's Teddy Bear / Toque Toss in Kamloops and Spokane, and on Sunday in Calgary. The Saskatoon Blades will host their event next Wednesday.

In Brandon on Saturday, the Wheat Kings will be honoring the Manitoba Provincial Volleyball champion Plainsmen Girls from the Crocus Plains High School prior to their contest versus the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings. The top-ranked Plainsmen won their second straight Provincial title.

In Calgary on Saturday, it's Shake Up The 'Dome night when the Hitmen host the Medicine Hat Tigers. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. In addition, 12,000 boxes of Kraft Dinner have been donated by Kraft for fans to use as noise-makers.

In Chilliwack, B.C., Friday night is 'Fill the Ford Night' when the Bruins host the Spokane Chiefs. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the game for donation to the Salvation Army.

In Everett, WA, on Saturday, the Silvertips wrap up their Christmas House Holiday Drive when they host the Seattle Thunderbirds. Representatives of Christmas House, a non-profit organization, will be accepting donations of stuffed animals, blankets, clothing and monetary donations to help children of low-income families during the Holidays. The night will include the draw for many great Silvertips prizes.

In Kamloops, B.C., Sunday is the second of four Blueliner Breakfasts. Fans can enjoy breakfast with their favorite Blazers players.

57 WHL PLAYERS ANSWER CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL DUTY...

Calgary, AB - The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 57 WHL players will have the opportunity to represent their respective countries in international competition in December and January.

A total of 41 WHL players have already been named to national teams destined for international competition at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship or for the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

In addition, 16 WHL players have been invited to national team selection camps for World Junior Championship play.

FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON SHAW...

Garry Nunn and the Vancouver Giants (20-11-1-2) host C.J. Stretch and the Kamloops Blazers (13-15-2-2) for a battle between B.C. Division rivals on Friday night.

Friday's contest between the Giants and Blazers can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW (7:30pm PST).

The Giants are coming off a 5-0 shutout win over the visiting Chilliwack Bruins on Wednesday night for their second victory in their last three games, and currently sit seven points clear for top spot in the B.C. Division. The Giants are 14-8-0-0 on home ice this season. Nunn has scored four goals in seven games since returning to the Giants lineup after recovering from an injury that kept him out since training camp.

The Blazers are coming off a 3-2 victory over the visiting Prince George Cougars last Saturday for their second victory in their last three outings, and currently occupy fourth place in the B.C. Division - 13 points behind the Giants. The Blazers have just three wins on the road this season. Stretch scored the game-winning goal in Saturday's victory over the Cougars.

It's the third meeting of the season between the Giants and Blazers. The teams split a home-and-home series on October 2nd and 3rd, with each game going to overtime or a shootout. The teams will meet up again on Saturday night in Kamloops.

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS...

Regina Pats @ Medicine Hat Tigers

Friday, December 11th

The Regina Pats (16-15-3-0) debut their two newest members on Friday night when they visit the Medicine Hat Tigers (18-10-2-4).

The Pats dropped a 9-5 decision to the visiting Kelowna Rockets on Wednesday night for their third defeat in their last four outings, and currently sit in fourth place in the East Division. The Pats made a blockbuster trade on Wednesday, acquiring Carter Ashton and Craig Orfino from Lethbridge for Graham Hood, prospect Taylor Balog and two Bantam Draft picks. Ashton was selected in the first round, 29th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2009.

The Tigers skated to a 2-1 shootout win over the Rebels in Red Deer on Wednesday for their second win in a row, and currently sit in second place in the Central Division. The Tigers are an impressive 9-2-0-2 over their last 13 games.

It's the second meeting of the season between the Tigers and Pats. The Pats defeated the visiting Tigers 7-4 in Regina on November 4th.

Portland Winterhawks @ Tri-City Americans

Saturday, December 12th

Brendan Shinnimin and the Tri-City Americans (22-8-0-0) welcome Brad Ross and the Portland Winterhawks (20-12-0-1) for a battle between two U.S. Division rivals on Saturday.

The Americans defeated the visiting Prince George Cougars 4-1 on Wednesday night for their third consecutive victory, and currently sit in first place in the U.S. Division and the Western Conference. Wednesday's win snapped a two-game home-ice losing skid for the Ams. Shinnimin (19g-27a) leads the Ams and sits tied for sixth among WHL players with 46 points, and has six points in two games versus the Hawks.

The Winterhawks are coming off a 4-3 overtime victory over the Silvertips in Everett on Tuesday for their fourth win in their last five games, and currently sit three points back of the Ams for top spot in the U.S. Division. The Winterhawks are tied for second among WHL teams with 12 road victories this season. Ross has three goals and nine points on his current five-game point streak.

It's the fourth meeting of the season between the Hawks and Ams. Tri-Cities is 3-0 versus Portland this season. The Ams visit Seattle on Friday before Saturday's clash with the Hawks.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE - December 11 - 13

All times local

whlwebtv08.jpg

WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL WEB TV

Friday, Dec. 11

Kelowna @ Brandon; 7:30

Spokane @ Chilliwack; 7:00

Prince George @ Everett; 7:35

Calgary @ Kootenay; 7:00

Regina @ Medicine Hat; 7:30

Edmonton @ Moose Jaw; 7:00

Red Deer @ Prince Albert; 7:00

Tri-City @ Seattle; 7:35

Kamloops @ Vancouver; 7:30 **Live on SHAW**

Saturday, Dec. 12

Edmonton @ Brandon; 7:30

Medicine Hat @ Calgary; 7:00

Prince George @ Chilliwack; 7:00

Seattle @ Everett; 7:05

Vancouver @ Kamloops; 7:00

Regina @ Lethbridge; 7:00

Kelowna @ Moose Jaw; 7:00

Red Deer @ Saskatoon; 7:05

Swift Current @ Spokane; 7:00

Portland @ Tri-City; 7:05

Sunday, Dec. 13

Kootenay @ Calgary; 5:00

Medicine Hat @ Lethbridge; 6:00

Everett @ Portland; 5:00

Swift Current @ Tri-City; 5:05

Check out the Western Hockey League Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from December 10, 2009


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central