Daily Dose of the Dub: Hitmen upset Hurricanes in 7; Americans sign prospect; two gets ATOs

Hitmen advance

The Calgary Hitmen are advancing to the second round after upsetting the Lethbridge Hurricanes in seven games. Calgary was 12 points behind Lethbridge in the Central Division this season and came back from a two-game deficit to win three straight and take Game 7. This marks the first time since 2014-15 that the Hitmen have made it past the first round, when they went to the Eastern Conference Final where they lost to Brandon in five games. Calgary will now take on the Edmonton Oil Kings in the next round.

Americans sign prospect

The Tri-City Americans have signed 2003-born goaltender Mason Dunsford to a WHL Standard Player Agreement. The New Westminster, BC native was drafted in the sixth round (118th overall) in 2018 by Tri-City in the bantam draft. In 41 games with the Burnaby Winter Club Elite 15s, he has a record of 19-7-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA, a .915 save percentage and one shutout.

Two gets ATOs

Medicine Hat Tigers graduating defenceman Dylan MacPherson has signed an ATO with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL, the affiliate team of the Florida Panthers. The Redcliff, AB native appeared in parts of four seasons with the Tigers, collecting 43 points (6G, 37A) in 186 career games. He had 12 points (2G, 10A) in 62 games this past campaign.

Seattle Thunderbirds graduating forward Noah Philp has signed an ATO with the Stockton Heat of the AHL, farm team of the Calgary Flames. The younger brother of newly signed Flames prospect Luke Philp, he had 75 points (26G, 49A) in 56 games with Seattle this past season. In 259 WHL games split between Kootenay and Seattle, he had 166 points (54G, 112A) as well as four points (2G, 2A) in six playoff games against Vancouver.

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star: Calgary’s Carson Focht had two goals in the series clinching 4-2 win over Lethbridge.

2nd Star: Calgary’s Riley Fiddler-Schultz had a goal in the Game 7 win.

3rd Star: Calgary’s Josh Prokop had the primary assist in the series clinching goal.

Honourable Mentions

The Lethbridge Hurricanes graduating players….Taylor Ross (135 points in 233 games with Spokane and Lethbridge)….Jake Elmer (134 points in 204 games with Lethbridge)….Igor Merezhko (100 points in 254 games with Lethbridge)….

Troubling moment: