RECAP: Special Teams Launch Hitmen to a 2-1 Victory over Rebels
Calgary, AB – The Calgary Hitmen bounced back on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over the Red Deer Rebels in their sixth annual Every Child Matters Game presented by CDN Controls.
Special teams were the difference maker in tonight’s win. Calgary’s penalty kill was perfect on the night, while both Hitmen goals came on the power play. The Hitmen’s power play currently sits first in the WHL at 33.2%, with the Hitmen having scored on the man advantage in 11 straight games. Red Deer opened the scoring just before the midway point of the first period, but the Hitmen would respond in the second. Hunter Aura found the equalizer at the 10 minute mark, finishing off a power play opportunity to pull Calgary even at 1-1.
With 5:32 remaining in regulation, Andrei Molgachev would wire home another power play marker for his 50th point of the season. The goal stood as the game winner and earned Calgary a pivotal two points. Goaltender Aiden Hesse was stellar between the pipes, turning aside 31 shots and earning first star honours. With the win, Calgary improves to 32-15-7-1 and remains fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hitmen now sit three points ahead of the Brandon Wheat Kings with two games in hand, and trail the Edmonton Oil Kings by five points as the race for home ice in the WHL Playoffs continues.
Calgary is back in the ‘Dome on Tuesday, Feb. 24 to host the Moose Jaw Warriors in an 11:00 a.m. start. It’s the TELUS Be Brave #EndBullying game. The Hitmen will then face Medicine Hat in a home-and-home set beginning Friday, Feb. 27 at Scotiabank Saddledome before a return visit to the Gas City Saturday, Feb. 28. Both are 7:00 p.m. starts.
