WHL Western Hockey League

WHL This Week: Looking Ahead

February 19, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Calgary, AB - The 2008-09 Western Hockey League schedule enters the third weekend of February with several key match-ups, including some enticing home-and-home series', on tap as clubs continue to battle for playoff spots and positioning.

In Brandon, the Wheat Kings will host their 4th annual Rogers Fan Camp on Monday, February 23rd, where four local minor hockey teams and 50 lucky youngsters will get the chance to hone their skills with members of the Wheat Kings.

In Calgary, the Hitmen will hold their 3rd annual Hitmen Head Shave, with several players shedding their locks in support of the fight against cancer.

In Everett, Saturday night is Fire Safety Night when the 'Tips entertain the visiting Kelowna Rockets.

In Kamloops, the Blazers will hold their final Blueliners Breakfast of the season on Sunday, February 22nd.

In Lethbridge, the Hurricanes will induct seven alumni, including the Sutter Brothers, into the club's Hall of Fame on Friday night prior to their contest versus the Medicine Hat Tigers.

In Moose Jaw, Sunday is "White-Out Night" as the Warriors welcome the Regina Pats. The team will distribute 2000 T-shirts in support of the upcoming Multiplex vote on February 25th.

In Portland, the Winter Hawks will host their annual Dash for Cash promotion on Saturday night to benefit the American Cancer Society. In addition, the Winter Hawks expect their Seven Millionth Fan to walk through the turnstiles on Saturday.

In Prince George, the Cougars are asking fans to Clean Out Their Closets by making used clothing donations at the Cougars' Saturday night contest versus the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings.

In Regina, it's Jordan Eberle Poster Night at the Pats' contest versus the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday night. Fans will also have the opportunity to get an autograph from the Canadian World Junior hero.

In Saskatoon, the Blades and the Canadian Cancer Society team up to raise awareness and funds in the fight against cancer at Saturday night's game versus the visiting Kootenay Ice. Saturday's event will also feature a performance by local artist Kal Hourd.

In Kent, WA, Friday night is Girl Scout night when the Seattle Thunderbirds host the Spokane Chiefs, while fans will receive a free Thunderbirds' team poster at Sunday's game versus the Vancouver Giants.

In Vancouver, the Giants will don their retro Vancouver Millionaires Jerseys at Friday night's contest versus the visiting Kelowna Rockets. Friday is also the Giants' Dash for Cash promotion, featuring members of the local media.

FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY ON SHAW...

Casey Pierro-Zabotel and the Vancouver Giants host Jamie Benn and the Kelowna Rockets for a B.C. Division match-up on Friday, February 20th.

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

The Giants have been idle since picking up a 3-2 victory over the visiting Chilliwack Bruins on Valentine's Day, allowing them to hit the 100-point mark for a fourth straight season, and currently sit atop the Western Conference standings. The Giants clinched their fourth consecutive B.C. Division title after the Rockets lost to Chilliwack in a shootout on Wednesday. Pierro-Zabotel (32g-67a) leads the WHL in scoring with 99 points this season.

The Rockets dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the visiting Chilliwack Bruins on Wednesday after blowing a 3-0 lead, and currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Rockets are 11-13-1-2 on the road this season. Benn has scored 14 goals over his last 12 games, and now leads the Rockets with 39 goals this season.

It's the seventh of eight meetings this season between the Rockets and Giants. The Giants won the first five encounters versus the Rockets, but the Rockets defeated the Giants 3-2 in overtime in the most recent meeting last weekend.

FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY ON ROGERS SPORTSNET

Jordan Eberle and the Regina Pats welcome Jason Bast and the Moose Jaw Warriors for a battle between East Division archrivals on Friday night.

Friday's contest between the Pats and Warriors can be seen live on Rogers Sportsnet in the West and Pacific regions (6:00pm MST, 5:00pm PST).

The Pats have been off since dropping a 5-2 decision to the visiting Calgary Hitmen last Saturday for their seventh consecutive defeat, and currently sit six points behind Prince Albert for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Eberle and Brett Leffler share the Pats' lead with 30 goals apiece.

The Warriors fell 4-3 to the visiting Prince Albert Raiders on Wednesday for their second straight loss, and currently sit in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. Bast tallied a goal and two assists in Wednesday's defeat to the Raiders, and leads the Warriors in scoring with 53 points this season.

It's the sixth of eight meetings between the Pats and Warriors this season. Regina won the first four encounters, but the Warriors won the most recent meeting with a 4-2 triumph over the Pats last weekend. The teams meet up again in Moose Jaw on Sunday.

SUNDAY WHL HOCKEY ON ROGERS SPORTSNET

Kevin Sundher and the Chilliwack Bruins host Tyler Myers and the Kelowna Rockets on Sunday.

Sunday's contest can be seen live on Rogers Sportsnet in the East, West and Pacific regions (4:00pm PST).

The Bruins edged the Rockets 4-3 in a shootout on Wednesday in Kelowna after erasing a 3-0 deficit.

KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS...

Medicine Hat Tigers vs Lethbridge Hurricanes

Zach Boychuk and the Lethbridge Hurricanes take on Tyler Ennis and the Medicine Hat Tigers for a crucial home-and-home series between the Central Division rivals this weekend.

The Tigers currently sit in second place in the Central Division and fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 69 points, but are only 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Tyler Ennis has scored 15 goals and 13 assists in 19 games since returning from World Junior duty with Team Canada.

The Hurricanes currently sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, but trail Medicine Hat by only four points with one game in hand on the Tigers. Zach Boychuk has tallied seven goals and 13 points in 10 games since returning from Canada's National Junior Team.

The 'Canes host the Tigers on Friday night before Saturday's rematch in Medicine Hat.

Spokane Chiefs @ Tri-City Americans

Taylor Procyshen and the Tri-City Americans host Drayson Bowman and the Spokane Chiefs for a huge U.S. Division match-up on Saturday in Kennewick, WA.

The Americans hold a slim two-point lead over the Chiefs for first place in the U.S. Division, but the Chiefs hold a game in hand on the Ams. The Americans are 25-4-0-1 on home ice this season.

The Chiefs have won five straight games, thanks largely to Drayson Bowman's hot hand. The 19-year-old Carolina Hurricanes prospect has nine goals and 13 points over the team's last five victories.

The Chiefs have won five of eight meetings versus the Ams this season, including a 2-1 shootout win in their last visit to the Toyota Center.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE - February 20 - 22

All times local

Friday, Feb. 20

Red Deer @ Calgary 7:00

Kamloops @ Chilliwack 7:00

Medicine Hat @ Lethbridge 7:00

Edmonton @ Prince George 7:00

Moose Jaw @ Regina 7:00 **Live on SPORTSNET**

Spokane @ Seattle 7:35

Kootenay @ Swift Current 7:30

Everett @ Tri-City 7:05

Kelowna @ Vancouver 7:30 **Live on SHAW**

Saturday, Feb. 21

Swift Current @ Brandon 7:30

Kelowna @ Everett 7:05

Vancouver @ Kamloops 7:00

Lethbridge @ Medicine Hat 7:30

Seattle @ Portland 7:00

Moose Jaw @ Prince Albert 7:30

Edmonton @ Prince George 7:00

Calgary @ Red Deer 7:30

Kootenay @ Saskatoon 7:05

Spokane @ Tri-City 7:05

Sunday, Feb. 22

Kelowna @ Chilliwack 5:00 **Live on SPORTSNET**

Regina @ Moose Jaw 7:00

Tri-City @ Portland 5:00

Kootenay @ Prince Albert 6:30

Vancouver @ Seattle 5:05

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2009


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