GAME PREVIEW: HITMEN AT BRONCOS
HITMEN HEADLINES: The Calgary Hitmen (0-0-0-0) open their 28th season in the Western Hockey League tonight on the road in Swift Current against the Broncos (0-0-0-0). Game time is 7:00 p.m. at InnovationPlex with the broadcast available on WHL Live on CHL TV and Sportsnet 960-The Fan. The 2022-23 campaign features a 68-game regular season schedule which will be completed in just over six months consisting of 34 games at home and 34 on the road. The WHL Playoffs and battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup will begin on Friday, March 31, 2023. After a two-season hiatus, the Hitmen will once again face teams from the Western Conference hosting all clubs from the B.C. Division while making a road tour of the U.S. Division in November. Within the 12-team Eastern Conference, Calgary will face all East Division opponents in Brandon, Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Winnipeg four times each (two home, two away) while playing an unbalanced schedule against their own Central Division rivals with eight dates against Edmonton and Red Deer, seven games against Lethbridge, six versus Medicine Hat and five against Swift Current. The regular season finale is Sunday, March 26 at home against the Oil Kings. Last season the Hitmen missed the playoffs by just two points, finishing tied for fourth in the Central with Swift Current at 59 points with a record of 25-34-7-2.
SWIFT CURRENT: Tonight is the first of five regular season meetings between the two teams. Calgary went 5-3 against the Broncos last season while posting a 3-1 record in Saskatchewan. Sean Tschigerl (5g, 7a) topped the Hitmen with 12 points against Swift Current while Riley Fiddler-Schultz (3g, 8a) was next with 11. Brayden Peters posted a 2.61 goals against average while playing in all but 20 minutes. Josh Filmon (6g, 2a) was the top performing Bronco with seven points. Carter Stebbings (2g, 3a) and Mathew Ward (1g, 4a) were next with five points each. Calgary is 11-3-1-0 over the last five seasons against Swift Current.
2021-22 SERIES RECAP
Oct. 10/21 in CGY: Hitmen 4 Broncos 1…Riley Fiddler-Schultz recorded three assists.
Oct. 22/21 in SC: Hitmen 5 Broncos 2…The line of Sean Tschigerl, Riley Fiddler-Schultz & Zak Funk combined for eight points.
Nov. 12/21 in SC: Broncos 5 Hitmen 1…Tied 1-1 after the first period, the Broncos struck for four goals in the middle frame.
Jan. 21/22 in SC: Hitmen 5 Broncos 2…The Hitmen stormed back from a 2-1 third period deficit.
Jan. 30/22 in CGY: Broncos 4 Hitmen 2…Josh Filmon paced Swift Current with two goals and an assist.
Mar. 27/22 in CGY: Broncos 3 Hitmen 0…Broncos’ goalie Isaac Poulter made 37 saves in a first-star performance.
Apr. 1/22 in SC: Hitmen 5 Broncos 2…The Hitmen scored three unanswered after the Broncos tied the game 2-2.
Apr. 3/22 in CGY: Hitmen 5 Broncos 2…Grayden Siepmann, Zac Funk and Tyson Galloway all notched 1g, 1a.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CGY 304 SC 222 Power Plays: CGY 3-36 (8.3%) SC 6-35 (17.1%)
OPENING NIGHT: In the previous 27 season openers, the Hitmen have compiled an all-time record of 13 wins, nine losses, four overtime losses and one tie. Last season they dropped the opener 9-2 in Lethbridge after blanking Red Deer 2-0 to open the Covid-19 shortened campaign.
LET’S GO CAMPING: Four Hitmen headed to NHL camps earlier this month: Tyson Galloway (St. Louis), Sean Tschigerl (Anaheim), Riley Fiddler-Schultz (LA) and Brayden Peters (Anaheim). So far only Peters has returned.
WHL DEBUT: Only three Hitmen, who have made the opening night roster, have yet to play a regular season game in the WHL: Tomis Marinkovic, London Hoilett, Vojtech Husinecky. Having said that, there are eight rookies on the club as Matteo Danis, Carson Wetsch, Ethan Moore, Chase Valliant, Dax Williams and Alex Garrett all made at least one appearance last season.
FAMILIAR FACES: The Hitmen opening-night roster features 18 returning players from the 2021-22 season.
2022 PRE-SEASON RECAP: Calgary went a perfect 4-0 during their four-game exhibition schedule. Defenceman Carter Yakemchuk led the team in scoring with six points (6a) while David Adaszynski (2g, 2a), Zac Funk (2g, 2a), Carson Wetsch and Matteo Danis (1g, 3a) all notched four points each. Prospect Christian Francis led the goaltending department with a 1.44 goals against average.
TRANSACTIONS: On Wednesday, the Hitmen sent sophomore forward Mason Finley to the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for a conditional eighth-round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. The club also reassigned prospects Rory Neill, Briggs Orr and Xander Schulte.
MAYFAIR DIAGNOSTICS INJURY REPORT: Alex Garrett (day-to-day, upper body).
UPCOMING GAMES: Calgary returns to action tomorrow, Saturday September 24 for their home opener in a rematch against the Broncos. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Scotiabank Saddledome. Be sure to take advantage of the $6 Hitmen Happy Hour from when doors open at 6:00 p.m. up until the opening faceoff. Items include pizza, burgers, hot dogs, 14-ounce beer, highballs and 5-ounce house wine all for $6 each.
SUNDAY FUNDAY: This season’s Sunday Funday, presented by Brookfield Residential, is a must see for both the Calgary Hitmen and the Calgary Wranglers. Family friendly prices, family friendly food specials, and family friendly entertainment. Look for concourse activities from TELUS Spark, and a cast of characters outfitted by the Costume Shoppe. Be there Sunday, October 2nd at 2pm when the Hitmen kick off Sunday Funday presented by Brookfield Residential against Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats. Get your tickets now at hitmenhockey.com/tickets.
