WHL This Week: Looking Ahead...
Published on February 18, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, AB - The 2009-10 Western Hockey League schedule enters its third weekend of play in February, with 23 games on the docket for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
In Edmonton, AB, Friday night is Faith & Family Night when the Oil Kings host the visiting Lethbridge Hurricanes. Fans will be treated to a performance by Mission Six. On Sunday in Edmonton, it's Pups on the Pond day when the Oil Kings host the Prince George Cougars. Fans can bring along their pooches to take in the game.
In Lethbridge, AB, the Lethbridge Hurricanes / Lethbridge Broncos Alumni Hall of Fame committee will recognize its newest Inductees on Saturday night when the 'Canes host the Kootenay Ice. Former Hurricane Wes Walz and former Bronco Bryan Trottier are set to be inducted, and the Lethbridge Hockey Hounds will be inducted in the Builder category.
In Portland, OR, fans will get the chance to bid on Game-Worn Buckaroos Jerseys on Saturday when the Winterhawks host the Kelowna Rockets. The Hawks wore the special Buckaroos jerseys for their February 5th contest on Salute the Buckaroos night. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Winterhawks Amateur Hockey Association.
In Red Deer, AB, Friday night is the first annual Jersey Off Our Backs Night when the Rebels host the Prince George Cougars. Fans can bid on all the players' jerseys, with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House Central Alberta.
In Saskatoon, SK, Saturday night is First Nations & Metis Night when the Blades host the Vancouver Giants. The evening will feature a host of activities centered on showcasing the First Nations and Métis culture in the community.
In Swift Current, SK, a busy weekend will see the Broncos host a pair of events. Friday night is Beat Breast Cancer Night when the Broncos host the Chilliwack Bruins. Fans can bid on special jerseys the players will be wearing during the game, with proceeds going to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. On Sunday, the Broncos and Waste Management team up to Feed the Hungry. Fans are encouraged to contribute to a food drive at Sunday's contest versus the Prince Albert Raiders.
WHL SET TO HOST ANNUAL PROSPECTS CAMP IN ANAHEIM...
Calgary, AB -- The Western Hockey League will be hosting the fourth annual WHL U.S. Prospects Camp in Anaheim, California from April 9-11, 2010.
The WHL U.S. Prospects Camp provides a unique opportunity to participate with other top ranked 1995 born players in the only evaluation camp conducted by the Western Hockey League in southern California this season.
The WHL is the largest Major Junior Hockey League in North America and is a leading supplier of player talent to the National Hockey League.
For more on this story, click HERE...
WHL ALUMNI CONTINUE BATTLE FOR OLYMPIC GOLD...
Vancouver, B.C. - 28 WHL graduates are currently competing for their countries at the 2010 Winter Olympic Hockey tournament in Vancouver, B.C.
The round-robin portion of the tournament is currently underway, with the Gold medal game scheduled for Sunday, February 28.
AMERICANS TAKE ON SILVERTIPS ON FRIDAY NIGHT, LIVE ON FSN
Johnny Lazo and the Tri-City Americans (41-15-1-2) welcome Shane Harper and the Everett Silvertips (37-19-3-1) for an important U.S. Division clash on Friday night.
Friday's contest between the Americans and Silvertips can be seen live throughout the Pacific Northwest on FSN (7:00pm PST).
The Americans are coming off a 3-1 victory over the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors on Tuesday night for their second straight victory by that score line, and currently sit in first place in the U.S. Division and Western Conference standings. The Americans boast a 25-6-0 record on home ice this season, and are 111-25-0-3 at home since the start of the 2006-07 season. Lazo has scored five goals in his last four games, and leads the team with 36 markers this season.
The Silvertips are coming off a 5-2 win over the visiting Portland Winterhawks on Wednesday night for their second win in their last three outings, and jumped past the Hawks into third place in the Western Conference. The 'Tips are tied with Spokane and Tri-Cities for the fewest number of goals surrendered this season. Harper has scored three goals in his last two outings, giving him a team-leading 36 goals on the season.
It's the seventh meeting of the season between the Americans and Silvertips. The Ams have won four of six previous meetings versus Everett this season.
KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS...
Saskatoon Blades vs Vancouver Giants
Friday, February 19th
Derek Hulak and the Saskatoon Blades (40-13-3-3) host Craig Cunningham and the Vancouver Giants (36-20-1-3) for a battle between two of the WHL's top teams on Friday.
The Blades are coming off an 8-1 thrashing of the visiting Red Deer Rebels on Wednesday for their sixth victory over their last seven games, and moved back into a tie with the Brandon Wheat Kings for first place in the East Division and Eastern Conference. Wednesday's win clinched the Blades a playoff spot for the second straight season. Hulak notched a goal and two assists in Wednesday's win, giving him three goals and seven points over his last four outings.
The Giants are coming off an 8-3 win in Kent, WA, over the Seattle Thunderbirds on Monday for their third straight triumph, and currently hold a healthy 13-point lead for top spot in the B.C. Division. The Giants are gunning for their fifth consecutive B.C. Division crown, which would put them alongside the Kamloops Blazers as the only teams in WHL history to win five straight division crowns. Cunningham (35g-51a) leads the WHL scoring race with 86 points.
It's the only meeting of the season between the Blades and Giants. The Giants defeated the Blades 5-1 in Vancouver on December 6, 2008 in last season's only encounter.
Tri-City Americans vs Spokane Chiefs
Saturday, February 20th
Brooks Macek and the Tri-City Americans welcome Kyle Beach and the Spokane Chiefs for the latest installment of one of the WHL's best rivalries on Saturday night.
The Americans lead the U.S. Division with 85 points, and are gunning for a third consecutive division title. The Ams are also looking to record their fourth straight season of 45 or more victories. Macek has tallied eight points (1g-7a) in eight games versus the Chiefs this season.
The Chiefs rolled to a 7-0 shutout win in Kamloops on Wednesday, stretching their win streak to five games, and currently sit nine points behind the Ams in the race for the division lead. The Chiefs own the WHL's fourth-ranked penalty killing unit. Beach has piled up six goals and nine points in eight games versus the Ams this season, and netted a hat trick, including the overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory over the Ams last weekend.
It's the ninth meeting of the season between the Americans and Chiefs. Spokane has won five of eight previous meetings versus Tri-Cities this season, including two of four visits to the Toyota Centre in Kennewick, WA.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE - February 19 - 21
All times local
WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL WEB TV
Friday, Feb. 19
Regina @ Brandon; 7:30
Lethbridge @ Edmonton; 7:00
Seattle @ Kamloops; 7:00
Calgary @ Kelowna; 7:00
Spokane @ Kootenay; 7:00
Prince George @ Red Deer; 7:30
Vancouver @ Saskatoon; 7:05
Chilliwack @ Swift Current; 7:30
Everett @ Tri-City; 7:05 **Live on FSN**
Saturday, Feb. 20
Prince George @ Edmonton; 7:00
Calgary @ Kamloops; 7:00
Kootenay @ Lethbridge; 7:00
Moose Jaw @ Medicine Hat; 7:30
Kelowna @ Portland; 7:00
Vancouver @ Prince Albert; 7:00
Chilliwack @ Regina; 7:00
Brandon @ Saskatoon; 7:05
Everett @ Seattle; 7:05
Spokane @ Tri-City; 7:05
Sunday, Feb. 21
Edmonton @ Lethbridge; 6:00
Kootenay @ Medicine Hat; 6:00
Kelowna @ Seattle; 5:05
Prince Albert @ Swift Current; 7:00
Western Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2010
- Dean "Scooter" Vrooman To Return To The Radio Booth For Saturday's Game - Portland Winterhawks
- Chiefs Set To Announce Top 25 In 25 Years - Spokane Chiefs
- WHL This Week: Looking Ahead... - WHL
- 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Schedule And Game Times Announced - WHL
- Bid On Game-Worn Buckaroos Jerseys Saturday - Portland Winterhawks
- Mastercard Memorial Cup Game Times - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Former Mariner Dan Wilson To Play In Celebrity All-Star Game At Hockey Challenge - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Hamonic One Step Closer - Brandon Wheat Kings
- A Dog Gone Good Goal - Moose Jaw Warriors
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