The first week of the WHL season in the Central Division consisted entirely of in-division games: six games, 12 teams, all home-and-home series.
Calgary Hitmen vs. Kootenay Ice
The Hitmen ran the table over the weekend, albeit just barely. The series kicked off Friday in Calgary, where a very odd situation took place. The Hitmen and Ice had battled for 60 minutes to a 2-2 draw. The clubs headed to 3-on-3 overtime, during which Mark Kastelic appeared to have scored the winner for the Hitmen on a 4-on-3 power play. The Saddledome erupted, the Hitmen celebrated, the Ice melted. All was well in Calgary, as the boys in black and bronze walked off with an OT win over an archrival in the home opener — or so it seemed. The officials reviewed the goal and determined Kastelic had kicked the puck in from inside the crease. No goal. One problem … there was nobody on the ice!
The teams would resume play, Kootenay would kill the penalty and we headed to a shootout during which the Hitmen would eventually prevail with a 3-2 victory. The Ice got markers from Zak Zborosky and Tanner Sidaway. The Hitmen’s tallies came from Murphy Stratton and Tyler Mrkonjic. The shootout winner belonged to Taylor Sanheim. The Ice outshot Calgary 30-28. (Win: Cody Porter, Loss: Payton Lee)
On Saturday the clubs shifted to Cranbrook, where another spirited tilt took place and OT was needed again as it was 1-1 after regulation. Friday’s drama wouldn’t repeat on this day as 20-year-old defencemen Michael Zipp’s winner stood, and Calgary swept Kootenay in a hard-fought weekend series. Andrew Fyten notched the only regulation goal for Calgary, while Cale Fleury scored for the Ice. Kootenay was outshot 38-34. (Win: Cody Porter, Loss: Payton Lee)
Red Deer Rebels vs. Edmonton Oil Kings
These teams kicked things off in Red Deer on Friday night and also battled to extra time in both contests. The Rebs were down some significant pieces who were away at NHL camps. Akash Bains and Evan Polei notched markers for Red Deer while Tyler Robertson and Kyle Yewchuk buried pucks in the net for Edmonton. It wouldn’t be long at all into the extra frame, as Aaron Irving needed only 26 seconds to score and spoil the party for the home opener in Red Deer, making the final 3-2. Edmonton led on the shot clock 33-26 after all was said and done. (Win: Patrick Dea, Loss: Riley Lamb)
Just 24 hours later, these two clubs played the first-ever game on Rogers Place ice in Edmonton. After a 90-minute delay the two rivals went at it again. Evan Polei scored for the Rebels for the second time in as many nights, with two more added by rookie D-Jay Jerome. The OKs got markers from Trey Fix-Wolansky, Lane Bauer and Tyler Robertson. These two clubs solved nothing in OT and went to a shootout. The SO winner would be Bauer’s as the Oil Kings walked away with the weekend sweep with a 4-3 win. Edmonton was heavily favoured on the shot count, 44-27. (Win: Patrick Dea, Loss: Trevor Martin)
Lethbridge Hurricane vs. Medicine Hat Tigers
Despite Medicine Hat carrying the majority of play with a 43-20 shot advantage, the Hurricanes won their home opener by a 4-2 margin. Calen Addison (great dub name), Ryley Lindgren, Brady Reagan and Jordy Bellerive found twine for the ‘Canes. The Tigers countered with goals from Matt Bradley and Ryan Jevne. (Win: Stuart Skinner, Loss: Duncan McGovern)
In the second game, the shots again heavily favoured Medicine Hat, this time 48-20. The score? Much different. The Tigers beat up their Highway 3 rivals, 9-3. The Tigers would get a hat trick from Zach Fischer, a pair from Mark Russell and singles from James Hamblin, Matt Bradley, Chad Butcher and Max Gerlach. The ‘Canes got markers from Kord Pankewicz, Zane Franklin and Josh Tarzwell. The highlight of this one may have been the “old time hockey.” A line brawl broke out (classic Med Hat-Lethy) at 8:50 of the 3rd. (Win: Duncan McGovern, Loss: Stuart Skinner)
This Week In The Central
Friday, Sep 30
KOOTENAY @ LETHBRIDGE
7:00 – ENMAX CENTRE – LETHBRIDGE, AB
SASKATOON @ MEDICINE HAT
7:00 – CANALTA CENTRE – MEDICINE HAT, AB
RED DEER @ MOOSE JAW
7:00 – MOSAIC PLACE – MOOSE JAW, SK
EDMONTON @ REGINA
7:00 – BRANDT CENTRE – REGINA, SK
Saturday, Oct 1
RED DEER @ BRANDON
7:30 – WESTMAN PLACE – BRANDON, MB
SASKATOON @ KOOTENAY
7:00 – WESTERN FINANCIAL PLACE – CRANBROOK, BC
CALGARY @ LETHBRIDGE
7:00 – ENMAX CENTRE – LETHBRIDGE, AB
EDMONTON @ MOOSE JAW
7:00 – MOSIAC PLACE – MOOSE JAW, SK
MEDICINE HAT @ SWIFT CURRENT
7:00 – CREDIT UNION I-PLEX – SWIFT CURRENT, SK
EDMONTON @ PRINCE ALBERT
4:00 – ART HAUSER CENTRE – PRINCE ALBERT, SK
RED DEER @ REGINA
4:00 – BRANDT CENTRE – REGINA, SK
Current Standings
- Calgary 2-0-0-0 4pts
- Edmonton 2-0-0-0 4pts
- Lethbridge 1-1-0-0 2pts
- Medicine Hat 1-1-0-0 2 pts
- Kootenay 0-0-1-1 2pts
- Red Deer 0-0-1-1 2pts
