WHL THIS WEEK: LOOKING AHEAD…
Calgary, AB – The 2009-10 Western Hockey League regular season enters its third weekend of play with 18 games on the schedule for Friday, Saturday and Sunday and another five games on tap for Thanksgiving Monday in Canada.
In Brandon, MB, Friday is Drive Away Hunger Night at Westman Place when the Wheat Kings take on the visiting Red Deer Rebels. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for donation to the Farm Credit Canada Drive Away Hunger campaign.
In Edmonton, AB, it’s Mullet Night at Rexall Place when the Oil Kings host the Swift Current Broncos on Saturday.
In Everett, WA, Canadian and America members of the Everett Silvertips will square off in a Spelldown on Friday at the Everett Performing Arts Centre. The event will benefit the Everett Public Library.
In Regina, SK, Friday night is Builders’ Night when the Pats welcome the Tri-City Americans. The Pats will honor Del Wilson, Al Ritchie and Gord Staseson – three men who have been significant contributors and builders of the Regina Pats’ franchise over the years.
In Spokane, WA, the Chiefs will take on U.S. Division rival Portland on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, the Chiefs will unveil their new Third Jersey.
FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY ON SHAW RETURNS…
Jimmy Bubnick and the Calgary Hitmen welcome Cody Eakin and the Swift Current Broncos on Friday night in Calgary, AB.
Friday’s game can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW (7:00pm MT).
The Hitmen are coming off a 5-2 win over the visiting Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday for their second straight victory. The Hitmen have scored 11 goals over the course of their last two games. Bubnick enjoyed a strong performance on Wednesday, netting two goals and three points in the victory over the Tigers.
The Broncos are coming off a 4-2 loss to the Warriors in Moose Jaw on Wednesday for their fifth straight setback. The Broncos’ only victory this season came on the road. Eakin has one goal and four points in three games for the Broncos since returning from the NHL’s Washington Capitals.
It’s the first meeting of the season between the Broncos and Hitmen. Calgary won all four meetings versus Swift Current last season.
SHAW will broadcast 30 WHL games during the 2010-11 season. For the entire WHL on SHAW broadcast schedule, click HERE
KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS…
Brandon Wheat Kings vs Red Deer Rebels
Friday, Oct. 8
Scott Glennie and the Brandon Wheat Kings welcome Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the Red Deer Rebels on Friday night for a battle between two Eastern Conference teams who are off to strong starts to the season.
The Wheat Kings dropped a 4-3 decision in Saskatoon last Sunday for their second straight setback after winning four in a row to open the season. The Wheat Kings are 2-0 on home ice so far this season. Brandon’s penalty killing unit has successfully killed off all 25 power plays they’ve faced this season.
The Rebels are coming off a 6-5 overtime victory in Regina over the Pats on Wednesday night for their second straight triumph. The Rebels have outscored their opponents 30-15 through their first seven contests. Nugent-Hopkins has at least one point in all seven games he’s played this season.
It’s the first meeting of the season between the Rebels and Wheaties. Red Deer won three of four encounters with Brandon last year.
Spokane Chiefs vs Portland Winterhawks
Friday, October 8th & Saturday, October 9th @ Spokane
Jared Cowen and the Spokane Chiefs host Ryan Johansen and the Portland Winterhawks for a pair of games between the U.S. Division rivals this weekend.
The Chiefs are coming off a 4-3 shootout victory in Kamloops over the Blazers on Wednesday night for their second win of the season. Cowen has one assist in two games since rejoining the Chiefs after a lengthy pre-season stay with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
The Winterhawks pulled off a 5-3 win in Everett over the Silvertips on Wednesday night for their second straight victory. Johansen picked up a goal and two assists in the third period of Wednesday’s victory over the ‘Tips.
The weekend doubleheader marks the first meetings of the season between the Hawks and Chiefs. Last season, the Hawks won five of eight regular-season encounters versus Spokane, then knocked off the Chiefs in seven games in the first round of the playoffs.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE – October 8 – 11
All times local
WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL LIVE ON DEMAND
Friday, Oct. 8
Red Deer @ Brandon; 7:30
Swift Current @ Calgary; 7:00 **Live on SHAW**
Prince Albert @ Kamloops; 7:00
Prince George @ Lethbridge; 7:00
Tri-City @ Regina; 7:00
Moose Jaw @ Saskatoon; 7:05
Portland @ Spokane; 7:00
Kelowna @ Vancouver; 7:30
Saturday, Oct. 9
Tri-City @ Brandon; 7:30
Seattle @ Chilliwack; 7:00
Swift Current @ Edmonton; 7:00
Prince Albert @ Kelowna; 7:05
Kootenay @ Lethbridge; 7:00
Prince George @ Medicine Hat; 7:30
Red Deer @ Moose Jaw; 7:00
Portland @ Spokane; 7:00
Kamloops @ Vancouver; 7:00
Sunday, Oct. 10
Kelowna @ Everett; 5:05
Monday, Oct. 11
Prince Albert @ Chilliwack; 2:00
Prince George @ Edmonton; 2:00
Vancouver @ Kamloops; 2:00
Tri-City @ Moose Jaw; 2:00
Kootenay @ Swift Current; 2:30
