DUBNetwork Feature game of the night: Hitmen @ Tigers 7:30 PM MST
In part two of a doubleheader of a home and home series, tonight these teams travel to Medicine Hat in game number five of the season series. The Calgary Hitmen beat the Medicine Hat Tigers last night by a 3-1 score to jump ahead in the season series by an identical 3-1 count.
The Calgary Hitmen (29-21-4-1) are chasing the Tigers for the third spot in the Central Division, something the Red Deer Rebels are in on as well. The Hitmen have rose to the occasion lately, the story line being their last ten games at 7-2-1-0. Anything is really possible at this point in time, with just over 10 games left in the season for most of these teams only seven points in this warzone of a division separates first from fifth.
Egor Zamula, has been anything but quiet from the blueline when playing the Tigers this season. Zamula scored the game winning goal last night for his 10th goal of the season from Riley Stotts and Dakota Krebs mid 2nd period. In four games against the Tigers this season, Zamula has collected five points only being held off the scoresheet in one of those contests. The Flyers hopeful has been a sensation for the Hitmen this season, the defenseman has 42 points in 49 games played.
The Medicine Hat Tigers (31-20-3-2) need to find a way to get back into the win column and stay there, fast! With a Hitmen win in regulation tonight, the Tigers are only two points away from slipping into a Wild Card spot. Mads Sogaard and his lights out goaltending can only go so far, the team has only produced ten goals in their last five games. The Tigers have not beaten the Hitmen in their last two meetings, a trend the striped cats need to stop tonight.
James Hamblin has not been shy of the scoresheet in the matchups against the Hitmen this season. Hamblin hasn’t missed the scoring section of the paper in the single meeting this season. Hamblin has six points in four meetings coming into tonight’s game. The Boston Bruins camp invite has just beat his point tally from last season of 64, after last night’s game he sits with 67 on the campaign.
Expected goalies:
- Carl Stankowski (CGY) 3.748 GAA, .879 SV%- The stats aren’t pretty but Stankowski chucked up a .967 SV% in the Hitmen win last night.
- Mads Sogaard (MH) 2.359 GAA, .930 SV%- Sogaard has been solid all season long, in his last start he got burnt by allowing six goals against. The first time this season Sogaard has allowed more than four goals in a start.
Other Games:
Prince Albert Raiders (46-7-1-2) @ Brandon Wheat Kings (25-22-3-4)
- Season series sits at 3-1 Prince Albert, the last meeting was actually won by Brandon last night.
Regina Pats (16-37-1-2) @ Moose Jaw Warriors (30-15-6-2)
- Moose Jaw leading the season series 3-1, last night the Warriors doubled up the Pats by a 6-3 score.
Saskatoon Blades (36-13-8-0) @ Lethbridge Hurricanes (29-16-5-5)
- Saskatoon continues to cut through their opponents, have not lost a game in their last ten and come in riding a six game winning streak.
Vancouver Giants (38-13-2-1) @ Kelowna Rockets (23-27-4-1)
- Vancouver much like Saskatoon, is riding a six game winning streak and with a win tonight combined with an Everett loss they would be tied for first place in the West.
Red Deer Rebels (29-20-4-1) @ Portland Winterhawks (33-16-3-3)
- Portland is 20-6-2-1 at home this season, Red Deer looking to bounce back into the win column after a loss in Seattle last night.
Victoria Royals (28-23-1-2) @ Prince George Cougars (16-33-4-2)
- The Prince George losing streak has hit 14, despite outshooting Victoria 34-21 last night the Cougars managed to lose and move the season series to a 5-1 Victoria lead.
Everett Silvertips (39-13-1-2) @ Seattle Thunderbirds (22-27-5-1)
- Seattle has not managed to beat Everett yet this season in six games between the US rivals.
Spokane Chiefs (30-18-2-4) @ Tri-City Americans (30-20-2-1)
- Two teams oh so close in the standings, only three points separate the two in the US Division race for third place. Tri-City has dominated the season series winning five of seven meetings thus far.
