SNAPSHOTS: GAME TWO VS RED DEER
The Calgary Hitmen probably don’t want to be forced to play their penalty kill unit too often in the game, but it must be reassuring to know that the unit has been spectacular as of late.
On Friday night, in a game where the Hitmen won 2-1 to take a 2-0 series lead over the Red Deer Rebels, the Hitmen were forced to kill off six separate minor penalties. Not only did they successfully achieve that goal, they made it extremely difficult for their opposition to even get properly set up in front of the Hitmen goalie Chris Driedger.
“I thought our penalty killing was outstanding,” said head coach Mike Williamson. “The guys blocked shots, they were strong on the pucks, we got great goaltending and definitely got a lot mileage out of our guys killing penalties.”
So far, the Hitmen have killed off all nine penalties in the series without allowing a goal.
“We blocked a lot of shots tonight, that’s one thing that gives us a chance to win every night,” said Calder Brooks, one of the key penalty killers. “I think our PK came to play. We put pressure on them as much as we could. Our coaches let us know their tendencies as well.”
Unfortunately, the Rebels penalty kill came to play as well, with the Hitmen going scoreless on five chances with the man advantage, including a five-on-three and another five-minute major.
“I thought we missed some opportunities on the powerplay early,” Williamson added. “We had an extended five-on-three then the five minute major. I thought we generated some good chances but didn’t captilize. Give (Rebels goalie Patrik) Bartosak and their penalty kill a lot of credit.”
SNAPSHOTS
The Hitmen must love playing in front of the Scotiabank Saddledome faithful. The win tonight continues their perfect record on home ice in the playoffs, totaling five straight wins.
It was said last night, and it’ll continue onto this game – Chris Driedger is probably in the midst of the best string of hockey he’s ever played. In the last six games, he’s only allowed eight goals. His 1.80 GAA in the post-season is third in the WHL.
The win tonight means for the second straight series the Hitmen have went in to the opposing barn up 2-0 in the series. Calgary went 2-0-0-1 in the regular season at the Enmax Centrium.
GOAL OF THE GAME
Victor Rask’s game-winning goal is fitting for this selection. He corralled the bouncing puck at the Rebels blueline while staying onside, skated hard to the net on a partial breakaway with a Rebels defender on his back, still managed to put a move on Bartosak and shot the puck just over his blocker.
HIT OF THE GAME
Just five minutes in, Zane Jones catches Brandon Underwood dumping the puck and sent him flying hard into the boards.
SAVE OF THE GAME
Up 2-1 Driedger goes cross-crease to stop a one-timer from Brady Gaudet with a beautiful pad save on the penalty kill.
