PREVIEW: GAME SIX AT EDMONTON
HITMEN HEADLINES: Tonight the Calgary Hitmen play a crucial match-up against the Edmonton Oil Kings as the Eastern Conference Championship series continues with Game 6 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Oil Kings hold a 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven series following a 5-1 win Friday evening at Rexall Place. Martin Gernat, Henrik Samuelsson and Travis Ewanyk each recorded goals for the Oil Kings in the opening period, while both teams were held scoreless in the middle frame. Michael St. Croix and Curtis Lazar, with an empty net marker, also scored in the win. Brooks Macek netted the lone goal for Calgary with Victor Rask and Spencer Humphries each adding an assist. Hitmen netminder Chris Driedger made 35 saves in the loss.
HUSKY WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
|
Game |
Date |
Time (MT) |
Arena |
Result |
Shots |
PP CAL |
PP EDM |
|
|
|
Game 1 |
Thurs., Apr. 18 |
7:00PM |
Rexall Place, Edmonton |
3-2 CAL (OT) |
35-19 EDM |
1-3 (33.3%) |
1-5 (20%) |
||
|
Game 2 |
Fri., Apr. 19 |
7:00PM |
Rexall Place, Edmonton |
6-0 EDM |
50-23 EDM |
0-4 (0%) |
4-14 (28%) |
||
|
Game 3 |
Tues., Apr. 23 |
7:00PM |
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary |
5-2 CAL |
34-29 EDM |
2-8 (25%) |
2-5 (40%) |
||
|
Game 4 |
Wed., Apr. 24 |
7:00PM |
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary |
7-3 EDM |
39-25 EDM |
1-7 (14%) |
1-6 (16%) |
||
|
Game 5 |
Fri., Apr. 26 |
7:00PM |
Rexall Place, Edmonton |
5-1 EDM |
40-29 EDM |
1-3 (33%) |
0-6 (0%) |
||
|
Game 6 |
Sun., Apr. 28 |
4:00PM |
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Game 7* |
Tues., Apr. 30 |
7:00PM |
Rexall Place, Edmonton |
|
|
|
|
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*Indicates if necessary |
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INSIDE THE SERIES
Shots on Goal: CAL 125 EDM 198
Power Plays: CAL 5-25 (20%) EDM 8-36 (22%)
SERIES LEADERS: Brooks Macek (2g, 2a) paces Calgary with four points against Edmonton, while Brady Brassart (2g, 1a), Calder Brooks (2g, 1a), Victor Rask (2g, 1a) and Spencer Humphries (3a) have three points each in the series. Martin Gernat (4g, 3a) and Michael St. Croix (2g, 5a) top the Oil Kings with seven points each in the series, while Trevor Cheek (3g, 3a), Henrik Samuelsson (3g, 3a) and Dylan Wruck (1g, 5a) have six points each versus the Hitmen.
STREAKIN’: Brooks Macek (2g, 1a) has points in three consecutive games.
HOME CONQUESTS: During the regular season, the Hitmen were 4-1-0-1 when returning home following a road loss. This series Calgary rebounded from a 6-0 setback at Rexall Place, notching a 5-2 win at the Scotiabank Saddledome last Tuesday. Calgary is 7-1 when playing at home this post-season. The Hitmen held a home record of 22-10-1-3 in the regular season, including winning eight consecutive home games from Jan. 2 – Feb. 2.
GETTING NOTICED: Forward Greg Chase and goaltender Mack Shields have both been recognized by Central Scouting in their Final Rankings for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Chase is ranked 153rd among North American skaters, while Shields is 25th among North American goaltenders.
HITMEN PLAYOFF LEADERS:
Goals (8) Brady Brassart
Assists (10) Victor Rask
Points (16) Victor Rask
Power Play Goals (3) Calder Brooks
PIM (24) Spencer Humphries
Plus/Minus (+8) Victor Rask
Wins (10) Chris Driedger
