WHL THIS WEEK: October 24, 2013
Calgary, AB – The 2013-14 WHL regular season enters its fourth weekend of play in October with 19 games on the schedule for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
AROUND THE RINKS…
It’s BMO Ultimate Fan Appreciation Night in Red Deer, Kamloops and Prince George this weekend. The Rebels, Blazers and Cougars will have plenty of fun activities for their fans to take part in.
In Cranbrook, B.C., the Kootenay Ice Fan Club will be holding a Tailgate Party on Saturday prior to the contest versus the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors. Fans can enjoy a burger and some fun activities for the kids before catching the game.
In Medicine Hat, AB, the Tigers are going to Stick It To Breast Cancer at Saturday’s contest versus the Saskatoon Blades. Tigers’ players will be using special pink-wrapped sticks during the game which will be auctioned off to support the Canadian Cancer Society for breast cancer research.
In Regina, SK, the Pats will be sporting Rider Green for their contest versus the Moose Jaw Warriors on Wednesday, October 30th, in honor of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. To celebrate Rider Pride night, and the partnership between the Pats and Riders, the team will wear commemorative green & white jerseys. Members of the Roughriders will also be in attendance for the puck drop.
In Vancouver, B.C., Friday night is perfect for a Girls’ Night Out when the Giants host the Everett Silvertips.
WESTERN CANADA U-16 CHALLENGE CUP: A LOOK AT TEAM ALBERTA…
Team Alberta took home Gold in the first two editions of the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup in 2009 and 2011, but were dethroned by a powerful Team BC last year in the Gold medal game. This year, Team Alberta has its sights set on reclaiming the Gold medal.
This year’s edition of Team Alberta is loaded with skill and talent, boasting high-end prospects like Tyler Benson, Sam Steel, Kale Clague and David Quenneville, to name a few. A dangerous offense, a mobile defence, dependable goaltending, and an experienced coaching staff have Alberta head coach Serge Lajoie excited about his side’s chances of bringing the Gold back to Alberta.
For more, CLICK HERE
HAWKS’ PETAN TAKES DENNY’S WHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS…
The Western Hockey League announced on Monday that Portland Winterhawks’ forward Nicolas Petan is the Denny’s WHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 20, 2013.
Petan recorded seven points on two goals and five assists to go with a +6 rating over three games in the past week, helping lead the Winterhawks to three victories in that span.
For more, CLICK HERE
2013 SUBWAY® SUPER SERIES TICKETS AVAILABLE…
The 2013 SUBWAY®Super Series is fast approaching, with the final two games of the six-game series set for November 27th in Red Deer, AB, and on November 28th in Lethbridge, AB.
Purchase tickets to see the stars of Team WHL take on Russia in Red Deer and in Lethbridge.
The last time the event was held in these locations, in 2004, Team WHL featured current NHL stars such as Brent Seabrook and Kris Versteeg, both former Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Dion Phaneuf and Colin Fraser, who both played for the Red Deer Rebels.
Don’t miss the chance to see the next wave of NHL stars in action versus the Russians at the 2013 SUBWAY®Super Series!
For more information, CLICK HERE
KEY WEEKEND MATCH-UPS…
Kelowna Rockets @ Victoria Royals
Friday, October 25th; Saturday, October 26th
Joe Hicketts and the Victoria Royals host Ryan Olsen and the Kelowna Rockets for a pair of weekend meetings between the top two teams in the B.C. Division.
The Royals have been on a hot streak of late, winning six of their last seven games, and currently sit atop the B.C. Division standings with 18 points. The Royals own the WHL’s second-best penalty killing unit, behind only Kelowna, currently operating at 85.7% efficiency. Hicketts has four goals and nine points this season.
The Rockets dropped a 2-1 decision to the visiting Calgary Hitmen on Tuesday for just their second loss in regulation play this season. The Rockets have played just three road games this season, winning two of those three contests. Olsen (3g-11a) is one of six Rockets’ players averaging at least a point per game this season.
This weekend’s meetings mark the second and third encounters of the season between the Royals and Rockets. The Royals posted a 4-3 shootout win in Kelowna on September 28th in the first meeting.
Portland Winterhawks @ Spokane Chiefs
Saturday, October 26th
Mitch Holmberg’s Spokane Chiefs welcome Nic Petan’s Portland Winterhawks for a match-up between two U.S. Division powers on Saturday night in Spokane, WA.
The Chiefs are coming off a 4-1 loss to the visiting Victoria Royals last Saturday, snapping a four-game winning streak, but currently hold a share of first place in the overall WHL standings. Spokane is 4-1 on home ice this season. Holmberg leads all WHL players in scoring with 32 points, including 16 goals.
The Winterhawks are riding a six-game winning streak, having won their last three games on the road, and currently sit just one point back of Spokane for a share of the U.S. Division and Western Conference lead. The Hawks have scored a WHL-leading 67 goals in 13 games this season. Petan has points in each of his last six games.
Saturday’s meeting will be the second of the season between the Winterhawks and Chiefs. Portland took the first meeting 6-4 at home on October 2nd.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE – Oct. 25 – Oct. 27
All times local
WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL LIVE ON DEMAND
Friday, Oct. 25
Portland @ Kootenay; 7:00
Calgary @ Prince George; 7:00
Saskatoon @ Red Deer; 7:00
Edmonton @ Regina; 7:00
Brandon @ Spokane; 7:05
Seattle @ Tri-City; 7:05
Everett @ Vancouver; 7:30
Kelowna @ Victoria; 7:05
Saturday, Oct. 26
Everett @ Kamloops; 7:00
Moose Jaw @ Kootenay; 7:00
Saskatoon @ Medicine Hat; 7:30
Regina @ Prince Albert; 7:00
Calgary @ Prince George; 7:00
Vancouver @ Seattle; 7:05
Portland @ Spokane; 7:05
Edmonton @ Swift Current; 7:00
Brandon @ Tri-City; 7:05
Kelowna @ Victoria; 7:05
Sunday, Oct. 27
Vancouver @ Kamloops; 6:00
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