Daily Dose

Daily Dose of the Dub: Three teams punch their ticket to playoffs; Langan hits century mark; former Raiders GM/Coach

Written by Stephen Hawco on

Three clinch spots

The Edmonton Oil Kings clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time in three seasons with a big 7-1 win over Brandon. The Oil Kings currently sit atop the Central Division with a two point lead over the second place Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The Tri-City Americans were the second team of the evening to punch their ticket to playoff hockey by earning a point in a 5-4 overtime loss to Spokane. This marks the eighth time in nine seasons the Americans will be a part of the postseason, including an unexpected trip to the Western Conference Finals last season.

The Victoria Royals clinched second place in the BC Division with a 5-2 win over Prince George, giving them home ice advantage in the first round. The Royals have made the playoffs every season since relocating to Victoria from Chilliwack, including their last two seasons in Chilliwack, making it 10 straight trips to the playoffs for the organization.

Langan hits 100

With a three point performance (2G, 1A) on Saturday, Moose Jaw Warriors forward Tristin Langan became the second player in the WHL to reach 100 points this season. The 2013 ninth round pick of the Warriors has already increased his point total from last season by 52 points and doing so in ten less games. Langan has 47 goals and 53 assists in 60 games this season.

Raiders legend passes away

Former Prince Albert Raiders General Manager and Head Coach Donn Clark has passed away at age 56 from a battle with cancer. This comes a day after being inducted into the Raiders Wall of Honour where he was represented by his brother and former NHLer Wendel Clark. He had two stints as Raiders coach (’93/’94-’94/’95) and (2000/01), between stints he also took on the head coaching job of the Saskatoon Blades for three seasons before returning to the Raiders in 2001 where he mainly stayed on as Director of Hockey Operations and General Manager until 2008.

Two Hurricanes milestones

Lethbridge Hurricanes forward, Jake Elmer skated in his 200th WHL game in a 4-1 win over Regina, also scoring a goal to give him a goal in an impressive 12 straight games now. The Calgary native is enjoying a great overage season with 73 points (36G, 37A) in 63 games this season.

Lethbridge Hurricanes import defenceman Igor Merezhko appeared in his 250th WHL game on Saturday. The Ukraine native has spent four seasons with Lethbridge, which is rare to an import play in the CHL for so long, and is one point shy of 100 in his career with 11 goals and 88 assists in the 250 games.

Hitmen assign Wiesblatt

The Calgary Hitmen have released forward Orca Wiesblatt from their roster and he will re-join the Portage Terriers of the MJHL. The local kid from Calgary has three assists in 12 games with the Hitmen this season and will be re-joining a first place squad in Portage where he has 15 points (6G, 9A) in 16 games this season.

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star: Everett’s Dustin Wolf stopped 32 shots for his seventh shutout of the season in a 1-0 win over Seattle.

2nd Star: Calgary’s James Malm had a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Kootenay.

3rd Star: Moose Jaw’s Justin Almeida had a goal and three assists in a 4-2 win over Prince Albert.

Honourable Mentions

Lethbridge’s Carl Tetachuk had 38 saves in a 4-1 win over Regina….Edmonton’s Carter Souch had a goal and two assists in a 7-1 win over Brandon….Medicine Hat’s Ryan Chyzowski had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 overtime win over Swift Current….Vancouver’s Justin Sourdif had three assists in a 5-4 win over Kamloops….Portland’s Jaydon Dureau scored the overtime winner in a 2-1 win over Kelowna….Spokane’s Jaret Anderson-Dolan had the overtime winner and an assist in a 5-4 win over Tri-City….Victoria’s Phillip Schultz had two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over Prince George….