Hitmen bounce back with win over ICE
The Calgary Hitmen can depart for holiday break feeling plenty more festive.
Jordy Stallard netted the go-ahead goal with 6:19 remaining in regulation to lead the Hitmen to a 3-2 win over the Kootenay ICE this afternoon in front of 6,562 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Andrei Grishakov and Jakob Stukel also scored for Calgary, which enters the league-wide holiday hiatus as winners of five of its last seven games.
Ryan Pouliot and Austin Wellsby replied for the ICE, who had their losing skid extended to six games.
Though the outcome was exactly what the Hitmen were in need of after a disappointing loss to Kelowna less than 24 hours earlier, their response wasn’t precisely what Hitmen head coach Mark French had in mind.
“I don’t think we handled the puck very well tonight,” said the Hitmen bench boss, who collected his 100th Western Hockey League win. “But in the situations that we were able to capitalize on was when we were able to put some passes together.
“These break games are hard at any level, but when you’re dealing with adolescents that mental toughness you need in these type of games may not be there. You know they’re not going to be pretty ones at times.”
During his tenure with the Hitmen, French has compiled a 100-64-5-6 record while making consecutive trips to the playoffs, including a 2015 Central Division title. He sits fourth in all-time franchise wins, behind only Mike Williamson (210), Dean Clark (183) and Kelly Kisio (166).
“This was an important win for us,” French said. “We want to make sure we’re giving ourselves a chance in the second half. We have an important stretch of five games in seven days, with four of those against divisional opponents, so we have to make sure we’re putting ourselves in a good situation.”
Kootenay rearguard Pouliot, with his first goal of the season, capitalized on an early power play after Hitmen leading scorer Matteo Gennaro was called for tripping only nine seconds after puck drop.
“You would think we would have come out with a more assertive start,” said French. “We were tentative, but maybe that reflects where our confidence level was.”
The Hitmen evened the contest when Grishakov redirected a Jaydan Gordon shot through traffic with 1:38 to play in the opening period. Mark Kastelic also chipped in with a helper.
In the second frame, Calgary took its first lead of the tilt when Carsen Twarynski found a streaking to the net Stukel who proceeded to bury his second goal in as many games on a second chance effort at 8:18. Stallard, who suited up for his 150th WHL game last night versus Kelowna, also pitched in with an assist.
Just over two minutes later, however, Kootenay’s Wellsby tapped in a rebound to knot the affair yet again.
The score would remain deadlocked at 2-2 until Stallard, from Beck Malenstyn and Tyler Mrkonjic, ripped in the eventual game-winner from the high slot through a screen late in the third period.
“There were about three or four guys in front of the net and I just waited a little before shooting it,” said Stallard, whose Hitmen have taken all four meetings with the ICE this season. “I don’t even think the goalie saw it, so it was a good screen by the guys.”
Hitmen goalie Cody Porter kicked out 33 shots, including his 2,500th career save in the second period, for his 10th win of the season in a first star performance while Payton Lee allowed three goals on 28 shots in a losing cause.
The decision to come back with Porter between the pipes after surrendering six goals in last night’s setback to the Rockets was a simple one for the coaching staff, according to French.
“He’s our number one goalie and we saw this as a very important game,” French said. “I thought he was good. We got a response from him after last night, which is important for a player to show that mental toughness and to be able to bounce back. And I’m sure he wanted to get back in the net right away and not have to go on the break with that feeling from last night.”
“It felt good,” Porter said. “I was seeing the puck really well and controlling my rebounds for the most part. I thought as a team we played well and were able to do what we had to to get the win.
“For both myself and the team, we knew (last night’s performance against Kelowna) was an unacceptable effort. We represent this organization and we need to give our best each time out and I don’t think we did that yesterday. The message was clear that we needed to be ready to go and play our best game. Hopefully we can build off this after the Christmas break.”
Calgary went 0 for 1 on the power play and Kootenay scored once on three opportunities.
Next up for the Hitmen (13-16-2) is a home-and-home set with the Central Division-leading Medicine Hat Tigers (23-10-1). Calgary visits the Canalta Centre on Tuesday, Dec. 27 before hosting the Tigers Wednesday, Dec. 28 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Both tilts have a 7 p.m. puck drop.
