Central Division Recap

Calgary Hitmen

Last Week – 3-1-0-0. Their pursuit of playoff spot took a blow with a 6-2 loss to Saskatoon. But they may have played their best hockey of season on the weekend with a 4-3 win over the Hurricanes, a 5-2 win in Lethbridge and a 5-2 victory over Edmonton.

Mark Kastelic (3 goals 4 assists), Matteo Gennaro (3 goals) and Beck Malenstyn (3 goals) led the offence.

This Week – Wednesday they will visit Red Deer and then will finish the regular season with a home-and-home with Kootenay.

Playoff Position – The Hitmen could finish 3rd in the division, could also get either Wild Card spot and could also miss the post season.

Remaining Schedule

1 home – Kootenay

2 away – Red Deer, Kootenay

 

Edmonton Oil Kings

Last Week – 0-3-1-0. Their losing streak is now at 12 games as the week started with a 2-1 overtime loss in Lethbridge. They lost a home and home to Medicine Hat by scores of 9-3 and 4-0. The weekend wrapped up with a 5-2 loss in Calgary. In their last 30 games they have a record of 2-26-2-0.

Davis Koch had 3 assists and leads the team with 65 points.

This Week – After a visit to Kootenay the Oil Kings will finish the season with a home and home with Red Deer.

Playoff Position – Have the 4th worst record in the WHL and are now only 1 point ahead of Prince Albert and are 2 points ahead of Vancouver.

Remaining Schedule 

1 home – Red Deer

2 away – Kootenay, Red Deer

 

Kootenay ICE

Last Week – 0-2-1-0. The ICE have now lost 6 in a row after a 4-3 overtime decision in Medicine Hat and being swept in a home-and-home with Red Deer by scores of 6-1 and 4-1.

Of the 5 goals scored by the team Vince Loschiavo had 4 and Colton Kroeker had the other one. Loschiavo now has 15 goals and 31 points in his last 22 games.

This Week – For the final week of the season they will host Edmonton, visit Lethbridge and have a home-and-home with Calgary.

Playoff Position – After making the post season 17 years in a row they will now miss the playoffs for the 2nd straight year.

Remaining Schedule

2 home – Edmonton, Calgary

2 away – Lethbridge, Calgary

 

Lethbridge Hurricanes

Last Week – 1-2-0-0. The Hurricanes extended their winning streak to 7 games with a 2-1 overtime win against Edmonton. They were 23-2-1-1 before losing both parts of a home-and-home with Calgary by scores of 4-3 and 5-2. The last time they have lost 2 regulation games in a row was January 3rd and 4th.

Giorgio Estephan scored his 31st and 32nd and Tyler Wong scored his 49th goals of the season.

This Week – Will visit Kootenay and will finish the regular season with a home-and-home with the Tigers.

Playoff Position – Will have home ice advantage in the 1st round and will play either Red Deer or Calgary.

Remaining Schedule

2 home – Kootenay, Medicine Hat

1 away – Medicine Hat

 

Medicine Hat Tigers

Last Week – 3-0-0-0. The Tigers clinched their first division title in 10 years with wins of 4-3 in overtime against Kootenay and sweeping Edmonton in a home-and-home by scores of 9-3 and 4-0.

Matt Bradley and Zach Fisher each had 3 goals while goalie Michael Bullion earned his 3rd shutout and 15th win in a Tigers’ uniform.

This Week – If the Tigers win their last 3 games and Regina losses their last 4 then Medicine Hat will have the most points in the Conference. They will host the Rebels and play the Hurricanes in a home-and-home.

Playoff Position – Chances are they will play the 1st Wild Card team in the 1st round and that could be Brandon, Red Deer or Calgary.

Remaining Schedule 

2 home – Red Deer, Lethbridge

1 away – Lethbridge

 

Red Deer Rebels 

Last Week – 2-0-1-0. After a 2-1 overtime loss to Saskatoon they rebounded with a sweep of Kootenay in a home-and-home by scores of 4-1 and 6-1.

Branden Hagel and Evan Polei each scored 3 goals and defenseman Jared Freadrich had 5 assists.

This Week – 4 games this week as they visit Medicine Hat, host Calgary and have a home and home weekend with Edmonton.

Playoff Position – Need 1 more win to clinch a playoff spot. In 3rd place in the division, 2 points ahead of Calgary. Could finish in 3rd place in the division, 1st Wild Card spot, 2nd Wild Card spot or miss the playoffs.

Remaining Schedule

2 home – Calgary, Edmonton

2 away – Medicine Hat, Edmonton