Game Preview: Hitmen Open Season Against Rival

The rivalry picks up where it left off.

The Hitmen kick off the WHL season against the Kootenay ICE Friday night in Cranbrook, in the first of six meetings on the year, which includes a stretch of four straight games against the Central Division foes in mid-December.

The second tilt in the home-and-home series will take place tomorrow night for the Hitmen home-opener, presented by Adrenalin Source for Sports, at the Scotiabank Saddledome at 7 p.m.

The two teams met last weekend in the final pre-season game, which saw the ICE skate away with a 5-2 victory. Cael Zimmerman and Mark Kastelic found the back of the night for the Hitmen and Connor Dochuk finished the night with 21 saves. Kurtis Chapman turned aside 23 shots for the win, while the ICE saw markers from Barret Sheen, with Ryan Pouliot and Gilian Kohler scoring two apiece.

Last campaign, the Hitmen swept the season series winning all seven games against their rivals, including a pair of back-to-back wins to start the 2016/17 WHL season.

Hitmen

Pre-season Record: 2-3

Goals For: 12

Goals Against: 15

Pre-season Leaders:

Justyn Gurney (2-3-5), Tristen Nielsen (2-1-3), Andrei Grishakov (1-2-3)

2016/17 Record: 30-32-8-2

2016/17 Leaders:

Goals: Matteo Gennaro (43)

Assists: Jake Bean, Gennaro (37)

Points: Gennaro (80)

ICE

Pre-season Record: 3-3

Goals For: 21

Goals Against: 30

Pre-season Leaders:

Barret Sheen (4-2-6), Colton Kroeker (1-5-6), Cale Fleury (2-3-5)

2016/17 Record: 14-46-10-2

2016/17 Leaders:

Goals: Vince Loschiavo (29)

Assists: Colton Kroeker (41)

Points: Colton Kroeker (59)

Head-to-Head 2016/17

Sept. 23 vs KTN 3-2 W

Sept. 24 @ KTN 2-1 W

Nov. 19 @ KTN 4-2 W

Dec. 18 vs KTN 3-2 W

Jan. 28 @ KTN 8-3 W

March 17 vs KTN 6-1 W

March 18 @KTN 4-1 W