Today’s Gameday Preview: Friday February 1st, 2019

DUBNetwork Game of night: Wheat Kings @ Centennials 7 PM MST

The last full month of the regular season officially begins tonight around the Western Hockey League. Tonight is also set to be a classic showdown for the Calgary Centennials who are set to play their first game in the Corral series against the Brandon Wheat Kings. Both teams find themselves battling it out for playoff spots, Calgary sitting in the second eastern wild card spot just five points ahead of Brandon. Calgary is set to show off some special jerseys tonight for the occasion from the days of the Centennials.

 

Ethan Kruger, Brandon Wheat Kings

The Brandon Wheat Kings (21-19-3-4) are coming off a win in their last game against the Red Deer Rebels in dominating fashion. A 4-0 shutout victory over one of the better teams in the Central Division is something the Calgary Centennials (Hitmen) will have in their heads all night long.  Last night emergency goaltender Connor Ungar opened eyes, stopping all 34 shots he faced in his second start in the Western Hockey League. Only time will tell if the Wheat Kings will be able to garner the same goaltending tonight when Ethan Kruger is expected to start in the ruckus environment that will be the Corral in Cow town.

The Calgary Centennials (25-19-3-1) have been jumping up the standings in the last stretch having won four games in a row coming into this contest tonight. The real Centennials have not played a game since 1977, but the Hitmen have turned back the clock for tonight’s game.  The modern day version of the franchise now lives in Kennewick with the Tri-City Americans. What’s sure to be a rocking environment in the Corral tonight plays into the home teams advantage big time. Calgary ultimately won its last meeting against the Wheat Kings by a 4-3 score back on October 20th.

Who to watch:

  • Stelio Matheos (BDN) 30G, 36A- Working his magic as always, Matheos comes into this game having five assists in his last three games, not having scored a goal in five games.
  • James Malm (CGY) 20G, 29A- Malm is riding a six game point streak after have a three point night in his last game against Swift Current on Wednesday.

Expected in goal:

  • Ethan Kruger (BDN) 3.409 GAA, .898 SV%- Kruger has been showing off improvements in the crease lately posting an identical .939 SV% in back to back games coming into play tonight.
  • Jack McNaughton (CGY) 3.138 SV%, .893 SV%- McNaughton has played a lot of games this season, 33 to be exact, he won his last start against Brandon in goal only allowing three goals on 31 shots.

Other action to watch:

Medicine Hat Tigers (27-17-2-2) @ Moose Jaw Warriors (27-11-6-2)

  • In their fourth meeting of the season, Medicine Hat looks to even the series at two wins a piece.

Edmonton Oil Kings (27-15-4-4) @ Prince Albert Raiders (41-6-0-2)

  • PA returns home after a lengthy road trip out west after losing two games in their last five.

Saskatoon Blades (29-13-7-0) @ Regina Pats (13-34-1-2)

  • Both teams look to start new win streaks after both clubs came up short in their last efforts, Saskatoon lost in OT to the Broncos, and Regina losing to Calgary by a 5-2 score.

Swift Current Broncos (10-35-2-1) @ Kootenay Ice (10-32-7-1)

  • Kootenay continues to finish off their tenure in Cranbrook tonight as they only have eight home games left after tonight.

Red Deer Rebels (28-16-2-1) @ Lethbridge Hurricanes (25-15-4-4)

  • Round five of the season series goes tonight, both clubs have won two thus far, one point separates the teams in the standings.

Prince George Cougars (16-27-3-2) @ Kamloops Blazers (19-25-3-1)

  • Kamloops leads the season series 5-0-0-0, the Cougars have not won a game in Kamloops since March 16th, of last season.

Vancouver Giants (32-12-2-1) @ Portland Winterhawks (30-14-3-2)

  • The third episode between the teams this season, Portland having won both games coming in, last game was October 20th.

Everett Silvertips (35-12-1-1) @ Seattle Thunderbirds (19-22-5-1)

  • This season series has been all Everett, all season long as over the four meetings Seattle hasn’t managed more than one goal in each game.

Kelowna Rockets (20-24-4-1) @ Spokane Chiefs (25-17-2-3)

  • First meeting of the season between the teams, Spokane coming off a 7-2 win over Portland on Wednesday.

Tri-City Americans (25-18-2-1) @ Victoria Royals (24-20-1-1)

  • First meeting of the season, Victoria holds a 14-9-0-0 record at home this season.