KEEP ON STREAKING
The Calgary Hitmen may ask Santa Claus to push back the holidays a week or two.
With one game remaining before the holiday break starting on Tuesday, the Hitmen are one of the hottest teams in the WHL.
Following a 5-2 win over the second-place Swift Current Broncos, Calgary has now picked up at least a point in nine straight games. The lone blemish over that streak was a 1-0 overtime loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
“We talked about it all month about just staying focused,” said veteran Kenton Helgesen. “I think the guys are doing a great job of that, and it’s helping us win games.”
Calgary was in fourth in the Eastern Conference when they started the streak, but have moved to a tie for first place with the Edmonton Oil Kings at 47 points (21-7-2-3).
“We are not worrying about anything else and just going out and playing hockey,” said rookie defenceman Travis Sanheim. “Right now, I think we are playing our best hockey. Every game, we are playing the majority of a full 60 minutes and that’s what we need if we want to keep winning.”
Russian import Radel Fazleev helped the Hitmen get on the board early, stealing a move from the Disney movie D2: The Mighty Ducks.
He unleashed knucklepuck from the point, handcuffing Broncos goalie Landon Bow as it bounced over his right pad. Zane Jones originally was handed credit for the goal, but it was later given to Fazleev.
Shots were tied 9-9 after 20 minutes as the Hitmen led 1-0.
They doubled the lead just 42 seconds into the second frame, with rookie defenceman Travis Sanheim joining the rush and backhanding the puck passed Bow for his first career WHL goal.
“It felt really good,” Sanheim said. “I’ve been waiting a long time to get it, and it feels good to get it in a game that we won. It meant a lot in the game.”
The two teams swapped goals in the rest of the second period, with Linden Penner scoring his second goal of the year for Calgary, while Zac Mackay and Brett Lernout responding for the Broncos.
Calgary put the game away in the third period, starting with a powerplay marker from Kenton Helgesen and finishing with an empty net tally by Zane Jones.
Chris Driedger continued his hot goaltending streak, making 26 saves for his 13th win of the year. Bow turned away 27 shots in the other net.
Calgary finishes off the first half of their season on Tuesday when they take on the visiting Regina Pats. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
