Hitmen Road Bits
Longest Road Trip of the Season
The Calgary Hitmen have embarked on a season-long, six-game road trip starting in Prince Albert on Tuesday, November 1st, followed by stops in Saskatoon, Brandon, Regina, Moose Jaw and Swift Current. Between now and next Tuesday, the team will make a stop in every East Division city along the way, playing a total of six games in eight nights. Calgary enters the road trip with an overall 5-6-0-1 record, and a 2-3 road record.
Prince Albert Raiders
The road swing will begin on Tuesday night, featuring the first meeting of the season between the Hitmen and Raiders. The Prince Albert Raiders currently sit in last place of the East Division, with a combined 10 points (4-12-1-1). Paving the way for the Raiders is Justin Maylan with 21 points (8g,13a) over 18 games played. Another offensive threat for the Raiders is first-round 2011 Chicago draft pick, Mark McNeill with 4 goals and 10 assists. So far this season the Raiders have struggled at home, winning only two of their eight games played at Art Hauser Centre.
Saskatoon Blades
Wednesday night will be the first of four matchups against the Blades this regular season. The Saskatoon Blades narrowly hold onto second place in the East Division with a 9-4-0-1 record. Topping the point category for the Blades is seventh-round Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick, Josh Nicholls with 18 points and a plus two rating on the season. Sixth round Dallas Star draft pick, Matej Stransky is not far behind with 7 goals and 8 assists over 13 games. First-round 2011 NHL draft pick, defenceman Duncan Siemens rounds out the Blades roster as the leading point getter from the blue line.
Brandon Wheat Kings
The Hitmen will look to out-best Brandon in their first meeting of the season on Friday. With a 9-5-0-1 record, the Wheat Kings sit only one point back on the Regina Pats for first place in the East Division. Mark Stone, a 2010 Ottawa Senators draft pick, has been on a tear for the Wheat Kings, averaging 2.07 points/game for 31 points overall. Calgary Flames 2010 draft pick, left winger Michael Ferland, is second on the team in goals (11) and points (21).
Regina Pats
The Pats have started out strong in the East Division, currently topping the standings with a 10-6-0-0 record. The upcoming Saturday matchup will be the second time the Hitmen have faced Regina on the road this season as they captured a 3-1 win on October 20th. Pats’ offensive standout, Jordan Weal, also a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings, has a plus-nine rating while leading the team in both goals and assists (7g,15a).
Moose Jaw Warriors
This upcoming Sunday will be the first meeting of the season between the Hitmen and Warriors, who have already completed a four-player trade sending Justin Kirsch and Kenton Miller to the Warriors while the Hitmen acquired Joey Kornelsen, defenceman Collin Bowman and a fourth round pick in 2012. The Warriors currently hold onto a 9-5-1-0 record in the East Division. The Moose Jaw roster includes top 2012 defensive prospect, Morgan Rielly, who is second on the team in points and familiar name, Tanner Eberle.
Swift Current Broncos
The Hitmen will cap off their road trip in Swift Current. In mid-October the Hitmen managed two wins against the Broncos in a home and home matchup, taking away two wins while allowing only 2 goals against, while netting 12 of their own. The Broncos sit below the .500 mark in the East Division with a 6-8-2-0 record. Calgary native and third round 2011 Winnipeg Jets pick, Adam Lowry leads the team in assists and is second overall in point total (21). Taylor Vause leads the team with 25 points.
