CHASEING THE WIN
After a slow start to the season, Chase Clayton has caught fire alongside the Calgary Hitmen, scoring a pair of goals in the 4-2 win over the Red Deer Rebels on Sunday evening.
“Chase is a very, very hard working player. He wants to be a hockey player, he wants to contribute,” said Calgary Hitmen head coach, Mike Williamson. “He was very frustrated at the start of the year, but he worked hard, had the right attitude and he’s had more opportunities in the second half. He’s been a guy that’s stepped up, provided energy for us and scored some good goals as well.”
Clayton entered into the Christmas break with only two goals but has since scored eight times over the past nine games.
“I’ve just stuck to what I’ve been doing and persevered. It was a tough first half, just figuring things out, not necessarily knowing why or anything, just keeping it all behind me, working as hard as I can and just push through it,” commented Clayton. “Now I’ve been getting opportunities and making the most of them and Mike has been rewarding me with more ice time.”
The Calgary Hitmen have won ten of their last 11 contests, holding them at seventh in the WHL Eastern Conference with 55 points, eight points ahead of eighth place Brandon and one point behind sixth place Regina.
“Even though tonight wasn’t our best effort, we are finding ways to win and that’s what we need to do to be successful in this league,” said Clayton.
Calgary started things off with a short-handed marker five minutes into the first frame as Trevor Cheek skated into the Rebels zone along the boards and charged to the net around defender Alex Petrovic. Cheek ran out of real estate in front of netminder Deven Dubyk, but Chase Clayton was waiting along the blue paint to deposit the rebound.
“I didn’t think we had a lot of guys who were sharp tonight so when other players, younger guys especially, can get those opportunities and light a fire under your team, it certainly helps you win games,” added Williamson about the young player.
At the end of the second period, Chase Clayton once again found himself in the right place at the right time as he planted himself at the edge of the crease and deposited a Calder Brooks rebound through the pads of Dubyk.
“Mike (Coach Williamson) told me he wanted me to get in front of the net more, get your stick in there and I was able to do that tonight and got rewarded with a couple easy ones,” added Clayton about his recent success.
Just 40 seconds into the third stanza, Matthew Dumba launched a one-timer on the powerplay past Chris Driedger, who was solid between the pipes and recorded 41 saves.
“We came out a little flat so I got tested pretty early which actually helped me stay in the game. When I get consistent shots it really helps me focus,” said Driedger about his first-star performance.
He recorded his fourth win in as many starts for a season total of 13.
“Our coaching staff and both the goalies themselves (Driedger and Glover) feel comfortable with either guy being in and it’s a nice luxury to have, and they just have to continue to stay sharp,” said Williamson about having to choose between two solid starting goalies.
The eventual game winner came off the stick of Jimmy Bubnick as Brooks Macek carried it into the zone and shoveled it to Victor Rask who found Bubnick wide-open on the backdoor.
Tyson Ness inched the Rebels to within a goal with over twelve minutes left to play as the Rebels continued to pour on the pressure.
It looked like Alex Gogolev had extended the Hitmen lead to 4-2 as he circled around the net and wired one over the sprawling netminder. However, the goal was waved off as Calder Brooks was ruled in the crease.
With 42 seconds remaining, Victor Rask sealed the Hitmen win with an empty netter.
Through 60 minutes, the Hitmen found themselves trailing on the shot clock, but ahead on the scoreboard as they were uncharacteristically outshot 43-34.
The Hitmen now lead the six game season series against the Rebels, two games to one.
Brooks Macek chipped in a pair of helpers while Rask, Trevor Cheek, Calder Brooks, Peter Kosterman and Collin Bowman each picked up an assist.
The Hitmen welcome the Brandon Wheat Kings Wednesday, January 25 and the Vancouver Giants Friday, January 27. Puck drop for both games is 7:00 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Three Stars:
1) Chris Driedger
2) Chase Clayton
3) Matthew Dumba
