DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: October 6, 2019 Portland Winterhawks 3-1-0-0 @
Calgary Hitmen 3-0-1-0 2:00PM (MDT)
Meeting for only the third time in the last five year’s, the Portland Winterhawks face-off with the
Calgary Hitmen. Portland has won both of the previous two meetings between the clubs. Until
Friday night’s game, Portland was the only undefeated team left in the WHL. Picking up wins
versus Vancouver Giants, Kamloops Blazers and the Tri-City Americans, before losing their
game Friday, against the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Calgary is just as hot, currently third in the
Central Division with seven points. Calgary suffered their lone set back in overtime opening
night versus the Swift Current Broncos.
Portland graduated Joachim Blichfeld, the leading scorer in the WHL last season with 114
points, who is now with the San Jose Sharks organization. Calgary also saw one of their leading
scorers graduate from last season. Kaden Elder who had 59 points last season, is now playing
with the University of Calgary Dinos. Portland last played on Friday, a 4-2 loss versus
Lethbridge. While Calgary hasn’t played in a week, a 2-0 home win versus the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Three weeks into the season and Portland is still without Cody Glass, Portland’s second
leading scorer last year. Glass who is unlikely to return, is currently playing with Vegas Golden
Knights. He scored his first NHL goal, in his first NHL game Wednesday night, versus the San
Jose Sharks in a 4-1 win. He appeared in only 38 games last season, but had 69 points,
including 15 goals in those games. The 20-year-old seems like he has a better chance at taking home the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie than he does of ever dressing as a Winterhawk again.
Special teams have been good so far for Portland early on this season. Currently operating at 23.53% the Winterhawks power play has been lethal so far.
The penalty kill is right behind only allowing three goals on 24 opportunities. Simon Knak from
Zurich, Switzerland, was Portland’s first round import pick from this past summer. Knak is tied
for second in WInterhawks scoring with five points, including his first career WHL goal. Captain
Johnny Ludvig, a third round pick by the Florida Panthers from this past year’s draft, is playing
in his third year with the Winterhawks. He has five points in Portland’s first four games to lead
the team’s defence.
Unlike Portland, the Hitmen has seen all seven of their players who were eligible to return from
NHL training camps come back to them. Most recently, team captain Mark Kastelic, the WHL
third-leading goal scorer from last season, was returned to Calgary. Kastelic was reassigned to
the club after spending training camp with the Ottawa Senators and their affiliate, the Belleville
Senators of the AHL. The 20-year-old Kastelic scored 47 times last season. He also tied for the
team lead in points (77) with James Malm. Playing his entire five year career with Calgary,
Kastelic had a very busy summer. After being selected in the fifth round by the Senators, he
took part in development camp, Hitmen Training Camp, Ottawa rookie camp and finally AHL
camp with Belleville. In Kastelic’s absence, Calgary has turned to Carson Focht to lead the
team in scoring. Focht, like Kastelic, was selected in the 2019 NHL entry draft in the fifth round.
Carson had 64 points, including 26 goals last season, which led the Vancouver Canucks taking
him in the draft. Carson has racked up seven points in Calgary’s first four games. Philadelphia
Flyers prospect, Egor Zamula is coming off a 56 point campaign last season with Calgary. Two
summers ago Zamula, was invited to Flyers rookie and main training camp on an ATO (Amateur
Try-Out) and was eventually signed by Philadelphia. This season Zamula has already scored
twice and also picked up three assists to lead the Hitmen defence.
Expected in goal:
Joel Hofer (Portland) – Hofer, a 2018 St Louis Blues draft choice, is looking to continue his
strong season. Stopping 80 of 86 shots on net has helped the Winterhawks to their 3-0 start. This is Hofer’s first full season with Portland after splitting last season between the Swift Current Broncos and the Winterhawks.
Jack McNaughton (Calgary) – McNaughton has looked good in his first two games this season.
Winning both games McNaughton has posted a 1.98GAA and a .900SAV% in his two wins.
Jack is looking to continue his strong play for his hometown team from a year ago. He finished
his rookie year with an impressive 25 wins in 46 games played.
Also in action:
Regina Pats @Moose Jaw Warriors 4pm MDT
-Pats getting outscored 12-2 in their three-in-three weekend so far. For all their troubles they get an extremely fresh Warriors squad with eight days of rest.
Brandon Wheat Kings @Saskatoon Blades 4pm MDT
–Jiri Patera will likely get the net again for the Wheaties after he shut out the Vancouver Giants on Friday. Chase Wouters was the OT hero for the Blades on Friday.
Everett Silvertips @Spokane Chiefs 5:05pm PDT
–Ty Smith being back was apparently all the Chiefs needed. They are outscoring opponents 12-2 since and are looking for an all U.S. Division three-0in-three sweep against the ‘Tips at home. Smith already has three goals and an assist.
