Today’s Gameday Preview: Wednesday February 20, 2019

DUBNetwork Feature Game of the Night: Hitmen @ Wheat Kings 7 PM CST

The Calgary Hitmen and Brandon Wheat Kings will suit up against each other for the third time this season. Each team has one win in thee two previous this season, the latest being a 6-5 Brandon victory on February 1st. This game has major implications for the standings as playoffs get closer.

The Calgary Hitmen (30-21-4-1) are right in the middle of a crazy Central Division which has seven points separating first from fourth. The Hitmen have not been wasting the opportunity, going 7-2-1-0 in their last ten games, they’ve been climbing away from the possibility of missing the post season. With the Hitmen coming into this game on a two game winning streak, with a two point effort tonight the Hitmen would be tied with the Medicine Hat Tigers for third in the division, and only sit three points back of the Lethbridge Hurricanes for second.

Mark Kastelic-Brian Harris (Andy Devlin)

Coming off a three goal performance and a win against those Medicine Hat Tigers, Hitmen forward Mark Kastelic will look to keep the train moving tonight. The 1999-born has obliterated his point totals from seasons past, almost doubling his season high goals total set last season at 23, this season counting 42. Kastelic is surely eyeing the 50-goal mark as the games are ticking down and time is running out to get there. The Phoenix native has five goals in his last five games, and has added two assists over that span to boot. Kastelic enters this game looking to extend a four game point streak tonight in Brandon.

The Brandon Wheat Kings (27-22-3-4) are in a race of their own looking for two precious points that would put them into a tie situation on points with the Red Deer Rebels. The Rebels, who have been on a free fall in the standings, something that when turned around could prove costly to a team on the bubble like the Wheat Kings. But if the Wheat Kings can keep winning, there’s no stopping these prairie roamers. The Wheat Kings come into tonight, bearing a four game winning streak fresh off two wins in their last five against the Prince Albert Raiders something that garners some attention.

Martin Fasko-Rudas #7 of the Everett Silvertips gets sandwiched between goalie Jiri Patera #33 and Zach Wytinck #29 of the Brandon Wheat Kings during WHL action at Westoba Place on Friday evening. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

If the Wheat Kings can lock down the offensive push of the Hitmen tonight, that will be a big plus to finding the win. 1999-born d-man Zach Wyntick comes into play tonight riding a bit of an offensive side to his game on a three game point streak. Holding a +3 differential in his last four games is something to be proud of for a defenseman.

Expected in goal:

  • Carl Stankowski (CGY) 3.707 GAA, .880 SV%- Stankowski has been the winner of three of his last four starts.
  • Jiri Patera (BDN) 3.200 GAA, .908 SV%- The Czech import goaltender has enjoyed wins in all four games of Brandon’s current streak.

Other games of note:

Kootenay Ice (11-37-7-1) @ Regina Pats (16-38-1-2)

  • Kootenay on a five game losing streak, looking for an end to that tonight as they lead this season series by a 2-1 margin.