WHL this Week: Looking Ahead
Published on January 24, 2013 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, AB - The 2012-13 WHL regular season enters its final weekend of play in January with 22 games on the schedule for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
AROUND THE RINKS THIS WEEKEND...
In Edmonton, AB, the Oil Kings are inviting young hockey fans to play Hockey Hooky next Wednesday. The Oil Kings will take on the Kootenay Ice for a special matinee affair.
In Kamloops, B.C., the Blazers will pay tribute to one of the best ever when they Retire Scott Niedermayer's Jersey on Friday night. One of the best defencemen to ever play the game, Niedermayer spent two seasons with the Blazers before his stellar NHL and international career, leading the team to the 1992 Memorial Cup.
In Prince George, B.C., the Cougars will have a New Face unning the bench beginning with their weekend two-game set versus the Everett Silvertips.
In Regina, SK, the Pats will Put On A show for their fans on Monday when they host their annual Skills Competition. Fans can watch their favorite Pats' players compete in events like Fastest Skater and Hardest Shot. Several Pats' alumni will be there as well including Mike Sillinger, Dale Derkatch and Ed Staniowski as they take to the ice for an Alumni game.
In Spokane, WA, the Chiefs help kick off Coaches vs. Cancer week at their contest on Friday versus the Portland Winterhawks. Chiefs' coaches will be sporting special polo shirts on the bench while fans can purchase 'BEliEVE' T-shirts to support the American Cancer Society.
In Kennewick, WA, the Tri-City Americans help celebrate the Tri-Cities' Atomic History with their fourth annual Nuclear Night on Saturday when the Portland Winterhawks are in town.
In Victoria, B.C., the Royals will Pink the Rink this Saturday when they host the Vancouver Giants. The players will be sporting special pink jerseys as proceeds from the event go to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.
SEHER RECIPIENT OF WHL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD...
Judy Seher, a longtime billet coordinator for the Red Deer Rebels, is the recipient of the 2012-13 WHL Distinguished Service Award.
Since the inception of the Red Deer Rebels franchise in 1992, Judy Seher has volunteered her time as the team's Billet Coordinator, working tirelessly to make sure that the players are placed in positive family environments. Judy has been a key contributor in the off-ice well-being of Rebels players and is also involved in many charitable events throughout Central Alberta.
FLASH MOB AT GIANTS' GAME IN HONOR OF ANTI-BULLYING DAY...
The Vancouver Giants partnered with several schools throughout the Lower Mainland and hosted an Acceptance Flash Mob in honour of Anti-Bullying Day. The flash mob happened during the second period in the game against the Everett Silvertips Sunday night.
There were just under 2,000 school children, from the various elementary and secondary schools, who took part in the choreographed number, unveiling pink shirts as a part of their routine.
STAGG® CHILI OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE WHL ...
Calgary, AB -- Hormel Foods, the maker of STAGG® Chili, is proud to become an official sponsor of the Western Hockey League and founder of the SAVES for SUCCESS program which provides minor hockey teams with the opportunity to win $3,000.
WHL HOCKEY THIS WEEKEND ON SHAW...
SHAW will be broadcasting two WHL games this weekend, with exciting WHL action live on SHAW both Friday and Saturday night.
Victoria Royals vs. Vancouver Giants
Friday, January 25
Steven Hodges and the Victoria Royals take on Jackson Houck and the Vancouver Giants on Friday night for the first of back-to-back meetings between the B.C. Division rivals.
Friday's match-up between the Giants and Royals can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW and SHAW Direct channel 299.
The Royals are coming off a 5-4 win in Kamloops last Saturday that stretched their winning streak to five games, and currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. The Royals are 15-5-1-1 on home ice this season. Hodges has scored five goals in five games versus Vancouver this season.
The Giants are coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to the visiting Everett Silvertips on Sunday for their fourth straight setback, and currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference. The Giants have won just four times on the road this season. Houck, a 17-year-old sophomore, leads the Giants in points with 40 this season.
This weekend's meetings mark the seventh and eighth meetings of the season between the Giants and Royals. The Royals won four of the first six meetings, including one of two meetings in Victoria.
Red Deer Rebels vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes
Saturday, January 26
Reid Duke and the Lethbridge Hurricanes pay a visit to Dominik Volek and the Red Deer Rebels for a Central Division battle on Saturday night.
Saturday's match-up between the Rebels and Hurricanes can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW and SHAW Direct channel 299.
The Hurricanes went 1-1-0-1 on a three-game U.S. Division tour last weekend, and currently share fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the Swift Current Broncos. The 'Canes are 8-11-0-3 on the road this season. Duke has scored seven goals in six games in January after being held goalless through his first 29 games of the season.
The Rebels are coming off a 3-0 shutout loss to the Tigers in Medicine Hat last Sunday for their second loss in a row, and currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, just four points up on Lethbridge. The Rebels scored just one goal over their last two losses. Red Deer's penalty killing unit is operating at 85.1% efficiency.
It's the second meeting of the season between the Rebels and Hurricanes. The Rebels eked out a 2-1 win over the visiting Hurricanes in a shootout on November 23rd in Red Deer.
KEY WEEKEND MATCH-UPS...
Spokane Chiefs vs. Portland Winterhawks
Friday, January 25
Brenden Kichton and the Spokane Chiefs welcome Ty Rattie and the Portland Winterhawks on Friday night for the third consecutive meeting between the U.S. Division clubs.
The Chiefs skated to a 5-4 shootout win over the visiting Hawks in Spokane on Wednesday night after having downed the Hawks 5-2 in Portland on Monday, but still sit 15 points back of the Winterhawks for first place in the U.S. Division. Kichton shares the WHL lead in goals by a defenceman with 16 this season, including three versus the Winterhawks.
The Winterhawks saw their losing skid hit four games with Wednesday's setback to the Chiefs, and currently hold a six-point lead over Kelowna for first place in the Western Conference. The Hawks have given up four goals in regulation play in each of their last four games. Rattie scored two goals on Wednesday night in Spokane, giving him 300 career points.
Friday's clash is the sixth of the season between the Hawks and Chiefs. Portland won the first three meetings.
Kelowna Rockets vs. Prince Albert Raiders
Saturday, Jan. 26
Myles Bell and the Kelowna Rockets take on Mark McNeill and the Prince Albert Raiders for a meeting between Division leaders on Saturday night in Kelowna.
The Rockets have been off since posting a 5-3 win over the visiting Vancouver Giants on Saturday for their 19th consecutive home-ice victory, and currently sit in first place in the B.C. Division. The Rockets' last loss on home ice came on October 10th with a 6-4 setback to the Spokane Chiefs. Bell leads the Rockets in scoring with 27 goals and 62 points.
The Raiders posted a 3-2 win over the Cougars in Prince George on Wednesday night for their second straight triumph and third win in four games, and currently sit in first place in the East Division. The Raiders are 14-8-0 on the road this season. McNeill has 17 goals and 46 points this season.
It's the first and only meeting of the season between the Raiders and Rockets. The Raiders edged the visiting Rockets 3-2 in a shootout in Prince Albert on December 16, 2011, in last season's only encounter.
The Raiders are in Kamloops to take on the Blazers on Friday night while the Rockets battle the Seattle Thunderbirds in Kent on Friday before Saturday's head-to-head match-up.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE - Jan. 25 - Jan. 27
All times local
WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL LIVE ON DEMAND
Friday, Jan. 25
Prince Albert @ Kamloops; 7:00
Calgary @ Lethbridge; 7:00
Kootenay @ Moose Jaw; 7:00
Everett @ Prince George; 7:00
Brandon @ Red Deer; 7:30
Kelowna @ Seattle; 7:35
Portland @ Spokane; 7:05
Regina @ Swift Current; 7:00
Medicine Hat @ Tri-City; 7:05
Vancouver @ Victoria; 7:05 **Live on SHAW**
Saturday, Jan. 26
Brandon @ Edmonton; 7:00
Prince Albert @ Kelowna; 7:05
Everett @ Prince George; 7:00
Lethbridge @ Red Deer; 7:30 **Live on SHAW**
Kootenay @ Regina; 7:00
Medicine Hat @ Spokane; 7:05
Moose Jaw @ Swift Current; 7:00
Portland @ Tri-City; 7:05
Vancouver @ Victoria; 7:05
Sunday, Jan. 27
Brandon @ Calgary; 4:00
Lethbridge @ Edmonton; 4:00
Moose Jaw @ Saskatoon; 6:05
Western Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2013
- Medicine Hat Tigers to Hold Military Appreciation Night - Medicine Hat Tigers
- WHL this Week: Looking Ahead - WHL
- Former Kamloops Blazer Scott Niedermayer to receive WHL Alumni Achievement Award - WHL
- Canadian Blood Service Awareness Campaign Launched - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Lotz' Record Night Helps Tips Earn OT Point - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs Prevail in Shootout over Portland - Spokane Chiefs
- Winterhawks Fall 5-4 in a Shootout Wednesday in Spokane - Portland Winterhawks
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