Daily Dose of the Dub: WHL hands out suspensions; former Silvertip named NHL Rookie of the Month; Cougars lose forward, call up top prospect; three players earn first milestones

WHL hands out suspensions

Kamloops Blazers defenceman Jeff Faith was given a two game suspension for his kneeing major against the Giants on Wednesday. This is the overager’s second suspension in the month of January after serving five games for a hit to the head. Faith served the first of his two games on Friday night.

Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Braydyn Chizen has been suspended four games for a check-to-the-head major against Edmonton on Tuesday. The 20-year-old has served two of the four games after missing the Wheat Kings’ 6-5 overtime win over Calgary.

Regina Pats forward Cole Dubinsky was also handed a four game ban for his kneeing major against Calgary on Tuesday. The Hitmen’s Hunter Campbell had to be helped off the ice as a result of the hit. Dubinsky has missed two of the four games.

Hart gets monthly honour

Former Everett Silvertip standout Carter Hart was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for January after posting a 6-2-1-0 record in nine games to go with a 2.33 GAA and a .931 save percentage. Since being recalled on December 16th, the former CHL Goaltender of the Year has a 8-5-2-0 record with a 2.48 GAA and a .922 save percentage in his young NHL career.

Cougars recall prospect after losing forward

The Prince George Cougars have recalled 2018 ninth overall pick Craig Armstrong from the Edge School Mountaineers in the CSSHL. The Airdrie, Alberta native has 25 points in 24 games in midget this season and had also skated in three games with the Cougars, going pointless.

At the end of the release, the Cougars announced that 18-year-old forward Ilijah Colina has left the team for personal reasons. Since being acquired from Portland last season, the North Delta, BC native has skated in 68 games with the Cougars, scoring 14 goals and 14 assists.

Milestones around the league

Seattle’s 2018 first round pick Kai Uchacz made his WHL debut in the Thunderbirds’ 5-2 loss to Everett on Friday, recording a shot on goal. The tenth overall pick was called up yesterday from the Okotoks Oilers of the AMHL where he has 30 points in 26 games this season.

Bryce Kindopp of the Everett Silvertips scored his first career hat trick in a 5-2 win over Seattle. The 19-year-old out of Lloydminster improves to 54 points (28G, 26A) in 50 games this season

Spokane Chiefs goaltender Reece Klassen stopped all 25 shots he faced to earn his first career WHL shutout in 4-0 win over Kelowna. The 19-year-old has been solid since being acquired from Lethbridge one month ago, appearing in four games and owning a record of 2-1-0-1 with a 1.47 GAA, a .940 save percentage and one shutout.

Three Stars of the Night

1st Star: Moose Jaw’s Brayden Tracey scored a natural hat trick and added an assist in a 6-1 win over Medicine Hat.

2nd Star: Portland’s Shane Farkas stopped all 24 shots he faced to shutout the Giants 3-0.

3rd Star: Spokane’s Reece Klassen recorded his first career shutout with a 25 save performance in a 4-0 win over Kelowna.

Honourable Mentions 

Edmonton’s Trey Fix-Wolansky scored twice as the Oil Kings knocked off the #1 Raiders 6-3….Saskatoon’s Gary Haden scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over Regina….Brandon’s Ben McCartney had two goals, an assist and eight shots on goal in a 6-5 OT win over Calgary….Kootenay’s Connor McClennon scored twice in a 3-2 win over Swift Current….Lethbridge’s Nick Henry had two goals and an assist in a 6-2 victory over Red Deer….Kamloops’ Kyrell Sopotyk scored twice in a 4-1 win over the Cougars….Everett’s Bryce Kindopp had a hat trick in a 5-2 win over Seattle….Victoria’s Igor Martynov had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win over Tri-City….