This past week, the Calgary Hitmen walked away with three out of a possible four points after ending a two-game win-less drought against the Saskatoon Blades and falling to the Prince Albert Raiders in the extra frame. The Hitmen remain in a comfortable position atop the Eastern Conference wild card race, three points ahead of Brandon with four games in hand. Calgary continues their road trip this week with meetings in Regina, Brandon, and finishing up Moose Jaw.
This Wednesday, the Hitmen will first face the Pats for their second match up of the season after a thrilling WHL Prairie Classic which resulted in a 6-5 overtime win for the Hitmen. For Calgary centre Blake Allan, it will also be the second match up this year against his former team. Since the move to Calgary, Allan has filled a bottom-six role very nicely for the Hitmen. He is coming off a two-point weekend, including a short-handed goal against the league-leading Prince Albert Raiders. The Pats have struggled to generate offence all season. However, a recent trade showed that Regina is likely looking to strengthen their top-six forward corps and power play. Hometown boy Carson Denomie was acquired from Moose Jaw for Garrett Wright. Denomie will likely feature in the top six and potentially join overagers Robbie Holmes and Austin Pratt, who have often been first line pieces for the Pats. Holmes and Pratt were also among two of the difference makers in the last game against the Hitmen as each forward recorded a goal and assist. The Hitmen defense will need to keep an eye on both players on the 20th.
Two evenings later, the Hitmen will battle the Brandon Wheat Kings in the first of four meetings this season. The Wheat Kings are hanging on to the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference by a thread. Despite the current standings, Brandon is by no means a team to be overlooked by Calgary. The special teams match up for these two clubs looks as if it will make for an exciting game. The Wheat Kings have the league’s best penalty kill on home ice while the Hitmen have managed a very respectable road power play, scoring on over 30 percent of man advantages. Ben McCartney has been a juggernaut on the power play with six markers thus far. Cole Reinhardt was named WHL on the Run Player of the Week on Monday after back-to-back two-goal games. The two together are among the hottest players in the WHL at the moment.
Lastly, the Moose Jaw Warriors will host Calgary the following evening.The Hitmen are 2-0 against the Warriors while outscoring them 11-5. Despite a hot start where the Warriors won five of their first six, Moose Jaw has struggled to maintain consistency. While their power play has remained relatively strong, the Warriors have struggled to score, recording just 56 goals through 19 games. Brayden Tracey and Ryder Korczak, however, will likely be key players to watch for the Hitmen as the two have combined for over 32 percent of all the team’s goals and are both in the top five in points-per-game.
The Hitlist:
- Egor Zamula is tied for 5th in the league in plus/minus rating with +18 while recording 6-12-18 in 19 games played.
- Blake Allan has half a point per game with the Hitmen after recording just eight points in 73 points prior to trade.
