WHL This Week: Looking Ahead
March 5, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, AB - The 2008-09 Western Hockey League schedule enters the second-last weekend of regular-season play with 23 games on tap for Friday, Saturday and Sunday as teams battle to lock up the few remaining playoff spots and fight for playoff positioning heading towards the 2009 post-season.
In Edmonton, it is Faith & Family Night on Friday, March 6th, when the Oil Kings host the Swift Current Broncos. The evening will include a performance from Grammy Award-winning Hip Hop duo Grits.
In Kamloops, the Blazers will recognize the three recent inductees as Blazers Legends at Friday night's contest versus the visiting Portland Winter Hawks.
In Kelowna, the Rockets will be holding their final Autograph Session of the season on Monday, March 9th. Fans can meet and get autographs from their favorite Rockets players.
In Prince Albert, it is Co-op Cram the Centre night on Friday when the Raiders host East Division archrivals the Saskatoon Blades. Fans can enjoy a pre-game tailgate party.
In Prince George, Saturday night is Pajama Party night when the Cougars host the Spokane Chiefs.
In Regina, Friday night is Soldier On night when the Pats host the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Pats will be wearing special red jerseys which will be auctioned off to support the Canadian Forces Soldier On Fund.
In Kent, WA, it is Kids Appreciation Night when the Seattle Thunderbirds welcome the Tri-City Americans to the ShoWare Center, while, in Vancouver, the Giants expect to see their Two Millionth Fan at Friday night's contest versus the Calgary Hitmen.
FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY ON SHAW...
Evander Kane and the Vancouver Giants welcome Brandon Kozun and the Calgary Hitmen for a showdown between the WHL's top two teams on Friday, March 6th.
Friday night's contest between the Giants and Hitmen can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW (7:30pm PST).
The Giants are coming off a 6-2 win over the visiting Tri-City Americans in a battle between the Western Conference's top two clubs on Wednesday night, stretching their winning streak to six games. The Giants have already claimed their fourth consecutive B.C. Division title and clinched first place in the Western Conference. Kane has scored 44 goals and 89 points this season, putting him fourth in the WHL scoring race.
The Hitmen fell 5-1 in Kamloops to the Blazers on Wednesday, snapping a nine-game road winning streak. Calgary currently holds a two-point lead over Vancouver for first place overall in the WHL standings, but have played three more games than the Giants. Kozun (39g-66a) ranks second in the WHL scoring race with 105 points this season.
It's the second and final regular-season meeting between the Giants and Hitmen. The Hitmen defeated the Giants 6-3 in Calgary on January 16th in the first encounter.
KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS...
Vancouver Giants @ Kelowna Rockets
Jamie Benn and the Kelowna Rockets host Casey Perro-Zabotel and the Vancouver Giants on Saturday night for a battle between top Western Conference teams.
The Rockets have reeled off two straight wins over the Giants while also beating the Calgary Hitmen and Spokane Chiefs in the last week as they try and establish themselves as bona fide contenders. The Rockets, who visit the Chilliwack Bruins on Friday, are also in a heated battle with Spokane for third place in the Western Conference.
The Giants are in the midst of a tough three-game stretch where they face three of the WHL's best teams. Having beaten the U.S. Division leading Tri-City Americans on Wednesday, the Giants also face the Calgary Hitmen on Friday before Saturday's visit to Kelowna.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE - March 6 - March 8
All times local
Friday, Mar. 6
Moose Jaw @ Brandon 7:30
Kelowna @ Chilliwack 7:00
Swift Current @ Edmonton 7:00
Portland @ Kamloops 7:00
Saskatoon @ Prince Albert 7:30
Spokane @ Prince George 7:00
Kootenay @ Red Deer 7:30
Medicine Hat @ Regina 7:00
Tri-City @ Seattle 7:35
Calgary @ Vancouver 7:30 **Live on SHAW**
Saturday, Mar. 7
Portland @ Chilliwack 7:00
Vancouver @ Kelowna 7:00
Kootenay @ Medicine Hat 7:30
Spokane @ Prince George 7:00
Swift Current @ Red Deer 7:30
Brandon @ Regina 7:00
Lethbridge @ Saskatoon 7:05
Tri-City @ Seattle 7:05
Sunday, Mar. 8
Lethbridge @ Edmonton 5:00
Medicine Hat @ Kootenay 6:00
Regina @ Moose Jaw 7:00
Everett @ Portland 5:00
Kamloops @ Vancouver 5:00
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2009
- Chilliwack Bruins At Home Friday and Saturday Night - Chilliwack Bruins
- Oil Kings Bring In Two-Time Grammy Award Winners - Edmonton Oil Kings
- WHL This Week: Looking Ahead - WHL
- Falloon Commits to Bruins - Chilliwack Bruins
- Cougars to White-Out CN Centre - Prince George Cougars
- Pats will "Soldier On" Friday night - Regina Pats
- Giants Win 6-2, Kane Sets Record - Vancouver Giants
- Hitmen Fall 5-1 In Kamloops - Calgary Hitmen
- Giants Rough Up Americans 6-2 - Tri-City Americans
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.
