Game Day: Hitmen host Raiders on Sunday Funday

 

The Calgary Hitmen (17-21-5-2) are set to go head-to-head with a familiar face this afternoon when Jordy Stallard and the Prince Albert Raiders (10-34-3-2) pay a visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Game time is 4 p.m.

Last night in Lethbridge, former Raider Matteo Gennaro scored twice to extend his goal scoring streak to five games but it wasn’t enough as the Hitmen fell 3-2 in overtime to the Hurricanes.

Lethbridge sniper Tyler Wong knotted the affair with only 18 seconds remaining in regulation before Zak Zborosky played overtime hero for the ‘Canes at 3:21 of the extra frame.

Gennaro is not the only one-time Raider in today’s Hitmen lineup, as left wing Luke Coleman will also face his old team.

The Hitmen acquired the Red Deer native Coleman and a 2018 fourth-round pick at this month’s WHL trade deadline in exchange for Stallard and a 2017 seventh-round selection.

“It’s always fun when you have a chance to play your old team,” said Coleman, who has recorded a goal and three assists in seven games as a Hitmen. “I’m pretty excited about it. It will be nice to see some of the guys and maybe even show them what their missing.”

For Stallard, who played 158 games over parts of three seasons in Calgary, today’s matchup will be his first visit to the ‘Dome since the deal. The veteran centre has recorded nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven games in the green and white.

Stallard had a goal and an assist in a first star performance to lead the Raiders to a 5-2 win last night in Edmonton.

Prince Albert has won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

“It should be a good test for us,” Coleman said. “They’re playing well right now, so I’m more focused on us putting a good effort in and getting the win more than anything else.”

Last Meeting

Rookie defenceman Vladislav Yeryomenko notched the overtime winner and goalie Trevor Martin made 25 saves in his Hitmen debut as Calgary skated away from Prince Albert’s Art Hauser Centre with a 5-4 win.

Justyn Gurney, Andrei Grishakov, Brady Reagan and Jakob Stukel also scored for the Hitmen, who have taken two of three meetings with the Raiders this season.

Adam Kadlec, Kolten Olynek, Cavin Leth and Stallard – in his Raiders debut – replied for Prince Albert.

 

Who’s Hot

Matteo Gennaro not only extended his goal scoring streak to five games in last night’s overtime loss in Lethbridge but has found the back of the net in 10 of his last 11 contests. During that span, the Winnipeg Jets prospect has amassed 17 goals and 23 points – all coming in the calendar year.

Defenceman Jake Bean, who set up Gennaro for his first of two last night, has collected points (three goals, 14 assists) in 12 of his last 14 games, while goalie Trevor Martin has gone 3-1-1 in his five starts since being claimed off waivers by the Hitmen on Jan. 10.

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Radio: Sportsnet.ca/960

Webcast: WHL Live

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Hitmen Season Record: 17-21-5-2

Raiders Season Record: 10-34-3-2

Hitmen Power Play: 16.9% (17th)

Hitmen Penalty Kill: 76.9% (16th)

Raiders Power Play: 12.8% (22nd)

Raiders Penalty Kill: 76.4% (18th)

Season Series: Calgary 2-1

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Hitmen Scoring Leaders:

Goals – Matteo Gennaro (28)

Assists – Matteo Gennaro (24)

Points – Matteo Gennaro (52)

Power Play Goals – Matteo Gennaro (9)

Shorthanded Goals – Tyler Mrkonjic (1)

Game Winning Goals – Matteo Gennaro (3)

Plus/Minus – Jameson Murray (Even)

Penalty Minutes – Micheal Zipp (73)

Wins – Cody Porter (11)

Goals Against Average – Cody Porter (3.49)

Save Percentage – Cody Porter (.890)

Shutouts – None

Raiders Scoring Leaders:

Goals – Jordy Stallard and Simon Stransky (13)

Assists – Jordy Stallard (23)

Points – Jordy Stallard (36)

Power Play Goals – Jordy Stallard (4)

Shorthanded Goals – Five Players (1)

Game Winning Goals – Jordy Stallard (3)

Plus/Minus – Austin Crossley (-3)

Penalty Minutes – Tim Vanstone (71)

Wins – Ian Scott (7)

Goals Against Average – Nicholas Sanders (3.76)

Save Percentage – Nicholas Sanders (.890)

Shutouts – Ian Scott (1)