RECAP: Hitmen Fall To Saskatoon in Overtime – Clinch Playoff Berth
Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen earned a point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday night. Despite the defeat, Calgary officially clinched a berth in the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
Saskatoon opened the scoring in the first period, as Tristian Doyle capitalized on the power play to give the Blades a 1-0 lead heading into the second.
The Hitmen responded in the middle frame with a power play goal of their own, with Calder Hamilton netting his sixth of the season to even the score at 1-1. Adam Halat restored Saskatoon’s lead later in the period, but Calgary answered quickly with Ethan Moore tipping home a shot from Harrison Lodewyk to tie the game 2-2 heading into the third.
Regulation solved nothing, forcing overtime. Two Saskatoon penalties in the final minute of the third period carried over into extra time, giving the Hitmen a two man advantage to start overtime. However, the Blades successfully killed off both penalties and struck at 2:13 of the extra frame, with Kazden Mathies scoring the game winner to secure the 3-2 victory for Saskatoon.
The Hitmen now fight to secure home ice for the WHL Playoffs currently sitting in fourth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 31-15-7-1. They sit one point ahead of the Brandon Wheat Kings with three games in hand, and seven points back of the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Calgary is back at home tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 22 to host the Red Deer Rebels in the 6th annual ‘Every Child Matters Game’ presented by CDN Controls in partnership with Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, Big 4 Motors, Taza Park VW, Blackfoot Confederacy, and Okaki. Game time is 2:00 p.m. at the ‘Dome which is also another Sunday Funday presented by Brookfield Residential where fans can enjoy $6 food and drink deals all game long, $3 sips and snacks plus Face Painting, the Fun Zone on the West Concourse and a Post-Game Family Skate.
