5 goal 1st period for Calgary sends a message for Friday's Memorial Cup Semifinal

Even though both teams will be playing each other again tomorrow night in the Memorial Cup Semifinal. The Calgary Hitmen sent a clear message that they intend to knockout the tournament host and move to Sunday's Final to play the Windsor Spitfires for the Memorial Cup Title.

All the goals came in the first period as Kris Foucault (2G 2A), and Justin Bubnick (1G 3A) both had 4 point nights and moved up to 1 & 3 in the Memorial Cup Scoring Leads with a 5-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings.

As early as 3 and a half minutes into the game it was looking like it would be a burn burner as Foucault got the Hitmen scoring going just 3:15 into the game. However, just 30 seconds later it was Brandon's Jay Fehr who made it 1-1 and unfortunately for Brandon, it turned out to be the Wheat Kings only goal of the game. Just 3 minutes Foucault fired back to make it a 2-1 lead and it would eventually lead to a 3 goal barrage in just 3 minutes later in the period with goals from Bubnick, Beach and Shattock late in the first period.

The 2nd & 3rd periods saw no scoring but a lot of hits as the teams combined for 105 penalty minutes on 25 penalties. Including a couple of major penalties for cross checking, a number of scrums and a big time fight near the end of the first period between Cody Beach and Travis Hamonic as well.

Both goalies were very busy as combined 70 SOG, with Brandon out-shooting Calgary 40-030. This is a team that hasn't had a need to show a lot of desperation this season, with the Eastern Conference Final being the exception as Calgary won 4-in-a-row after Brandon won the opener in that series.

Even though the 2 teams will play again on Friday Night, this was an important night to feel each other and get that all important home ice advantage for Friday's Semifinal. Even though the Brandon Wheat Kings are the tournament hosts, the team will be seeing red if the Wheat Kings can't find a way to respond on Friday Night as a spot in the Memorial Cup Championship against Windsor on Sunday Evening is on the line.


From the Memorial Cup Website: www.mastercardmemorialcup.com

In Brandon, Manitoba: The Calgary Hitmen offense exploded for five first period goals en route to a 5-1 victory over Brandon at Westman Place to finish the round-robin schedule at the MasterCard Memorial Cup with a 2-1 record and gaining home ice for Friday's Semifinal.

The Hitmen were the first to get on the board. Kris Foucault directed an innocent looking shot on net that slid between the pads of Jacob De Serres. Less then thirty seconds later, the Wheat Kings tied it up at one with Jay Fehr, who was left alone in the slot, one-timed a beautiful Aaron Lewadniuk pass behind goaltender Martin Jones.

Fouculat seemed to have De Serres number in the first period. He scored his 2nd goal of the game, and third of the tournament, on the Hitmen's third shot. Then, Cody Beach doubled the Hitmen's lead by registering his first goal of the MasterCard Memorial Cup at 13:47.

A relentless Calgary Hitmen squad kept pressuring coming. Jimmy Bubnick and Tyler Shattock added markers to give the Hitmen a comfy 5-1 lead after twenty minutes of play.

The Wheat Kings raised their level of play in the 2nd period. Although they failed to score, the shot total was a respectable 10-9 for the Hitmen.

Same story in the Final Frame, but the intensity level was sky high and the officials sent a number of players on both sides to the penalty box for roughing.

Martin Jones made 39 saves with the win, while De Serres took the loss despite making 25 saves.

All three Stars were Hitmen players. Kris Foucault was named the game's first star while teammates Jimmy Bubnick (2nd) and Tyler Shattock (3rd) was also honored.

The Brandon Wheat Kings will battle the Calgary Hitmen in the Semifinal of the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup on Rogers Sportsnet and RDS on Friday Night at 7:00 PM (CDT). The game also can be seen live on www.sportsnet.ca and on the NHL Network in the USA.


Round Robin Records: Calgary is 2-1-0 Brandon is 1-2-0

Game Boxscore

Brandon Wheat Kings 1 Calgary Hitmen 5 (1-5, 0-0, 0-0)

0-1 CGY: Kris Foucault (Bubnick) 3:15 1st

1-1 BRN: Jay Fehr (Lewadniuk, Rajala) 3:44 1st

1-2 CGY: Kris Foucault (Shattock, Bubnick) 6:36 1st

1-3 CGY: Chris Beach (Burgart, Nyren) 13:47 1st

1-4 CGY: Justin Bubnick (Shattock, Foucault) 14:54 1st

1-5 CGY: Tyer Shattock (Foucault, Bubnick) 16:50 1st


Game Stats

SOG: BRN 40 CGY 30

PP: BRN 0/6 CGY 0/4

PIM: BRN 34 Minutes on 10 Penalties CGY 71 Minutes on 10 Penalties

Goalies: BRN Jacob De Serres 25 SVS on 30 Shots CGY Martin Jones 39 SVS on 40 Shots

ATT: 5280

3rd Star: Tyler Shattock (CGY)

2nd Star: Jimmy Bubnick (CGY)

1st Star: Kris Foucault (CGY)


Tournament Standings after the Round Robin

1. Windsor 3-0-0 6 PTS 19-8

2. Calgary 2-1-0 4 PTS 12-11

3. Brandon 1-2-0 2 PTS 8-14

4. Moncton 0-2-1 1 PTS 7-13


Windsor has clinched a Championship Spot.

Brandon and Calgary will play in the Semifinals.

Moncton has been eliminated from the Memorial Cup.


Tournament Stats

1. Jimmy Bubnick (CGY) 8 PTS (3G 5A)

2. Taylor Hall (WSR) 6 PTS (4G 2A)

3. Kris Foucault (CGY) 6 PTS (3G 3A)

4. Tyler Shattock (CGY) 6 PTS (2G 4A)

5. Adam Henrique (WSR) 5 PTS (2G 3A)

3 Oters with 5 Points


Goaltending

1. Philipp Grubauer (WSR) 3 GP 3-0 2.50 GAA .921 SV%

2. Shane Owen (MON) 1 GP 0-0 3.32 GAA .923 SV%

3. Martin Jones (CGY) 3 GP 2-1 3.35 GAA .912 SV%

4. Jacob De Serres (BRN) 3 GP 1-1 3.38 GAA .889 SV%

5. Nicola Riopel (MON) 2 GP 0-2 4.54 GAA .862 SV%


Tournament Schedule

5/14: Windsor Spitfires 9 Brandon Wheat Kings 3 (5-0, 4-1, 0-2)
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=107

5/15: Calgary Hitmen 5 Moncton Wildcats 4 (0-1, 1-2, 4-0)
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=108

5/16: Brandon Wheat Kings 4 Moncton Wildcats 0 (1-0, 2-0, 1-0)
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=109

5/17: Calgary Hitmen 2 Windsor Spitfires 6 (0-2, 2-1, 0-3)
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=110

5/18: Moncton Wildcats 3 Windsor Spitfires 4 (OT) (1-1, 0-1, 2-1, 0-1)
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=111

5/19: Brandon Wheat Kings 1 Calgary Hitmen 5 (1-5, 0-0, 0-0)
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=112

5/21, Semifinal: Brandon Wheat Kings VS. Calgary Hitmen 7:00 PM

5/23, Championship: Windsor Spitfires VS. SF Winner 6:00 PM

Taylor Hall has game to win 6-2, Clinches Top Spot in Round Robin

Expected #1 Draft Pick Taylor Hall had a huge game for the Spitfires as he scored two goals and added two assists in the 6-2 win over the WHL Champion Calgary Hitmen. With the win, Windsor moves to 2-0-0 in the Round Robin and basically with in touching distance of beating Moncton and clinching a spot for Sunday's Championship Game.

Other players like Dale Mitchell, Cam Fowler and Kenny Ryan also added some critical points as the Spitfires used a 3 goal 3rd period to turn a 3-2 game where Calgary's Jimmy Bubnick who scored both goals for the Hitmen in this game.

Philipp Grubauer had another huge game for the Spitfires as he made 25 saves in the win, and for the entire tournament he's stopped 55 of 60 shots in the two games and with the dangerous offense. Grubauer hasn't been asked to feel like the best goalie in the world that so many players go under in big time playoff games. Calgary's net-minder Martin Jones stopped 31 of 36 shots in the game.

Windsor will go at it again tonight as the Spitfires will look to finish the round-robin with a perfect 3-for-3 and knockout the Moncton Wildcats tonight. While Calgary will take on Brandon on what could be a Semifinal Preview if the Tie Breaker Game is not needed.

From the Memorial Cup Website: www.mastercardmemorialcup.com

From Brandon, Manitoba: Taylor Hall added two goals and added two assists to lead the Windsor Spitfires to a convincing 6-2 win over the Calgary Hitmen while also helping them clinch a berth in the MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship Game on Sunday.

Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Dale Mitchell gave the Spitfires the lead at 2:38 into the first frame. He directed a wrist-shot behind a screen Martin Jones. Just over a minute later, Taylor Hall registered his 3rd goal of the tournament with a hard slap shot from the top of the faceoff circle.

In the 2nd period, Justin Shugg put Windsor up three at 8:15 and the Spitfires seemed to be rolling towards another big win before Jimmy Bubnick recorded a marker at 14:56. Just over three minutes later, it was Bubnick again taking it to goaltender Philipp Grubauer. He made a nifty move, cut inside and flickered a wrist shot between the goaltender's pads.

Hall re-gave the Spitfires a two goal lead 12 seconds into the 3rd period by intercepting a soft pass in Calgary's zone and beat Jones five hole on a breakaway.

Kenny Ryan and Adam Wallace added goals late in the 3rd period to seal the win.

Philipp Grauber made 25 saves while Calgary Goalie Martin Jones made 31 saves on 37 shots in the loss that takes them to 1-1 in the Round Robin.

Taylor Hall earned first star honors while Jimmy Bubnick and Dale Mitchell were also recognized by getting the 2nd and 3rd stars of the game.

Game 5 of the MasterCard Memorial Cup will see the Spitfires looking to go 3-0 and clinch a Championship Game spot on Sunday. For Moncton, it's win or go home for the Wildcats as a win is needed to force a tie Breaker Game on Thursday Night. As always, you can watch it on Sportsnet and the NHL Network in the USA. It will also be streamed live on www.sportsnet.ca


Round Robin Records: Windsor is 2-0-0 Calgary is 1-1-0


Game Boxscore

Calgary Hitmen 2 Windsor Spitfires 6 (0-2, 2-1, 0-3)

0-1 WSR: Dale Mitchell (Wellwood) 2:38 1st

0-2 WSR: Taylor Hall (PP) (Fowler) 3:55 1st

0-3 WSR: Justin Shugg (Hall, Fowler) 8:15 2nd

1-3 CGY: Justin Bubnick (Foucault, Shattock) 11:43 2nd

2-3 CGY: Justin Bubnick (Schultz) 14:56 2nd

2-4 WSR: Taylor Hall (Unassisted) 0:12 3rd

2-5 WSR: Kenny Ryan (Nemisz, Kassian) 16:56 3rd

2-6 WSR: Adam Wallace (EN) (Johnston) 19:19 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: CGY 27 WSR 37

PP: CGY 0/2 WSR 1/3

PIM: CGY 11 Minutes on 4 Penalties WSR 9 Minutes on 3 Penalties

Goalies: CGY Martin Jones 31 SVS on 36 Shots WSR Philipp Grubauer 25 SVS on 27 Shots

ATT: 5201

3rd Star: Dale Mitchell (WSR)

2nd Star: Jimmy Bubnick (CGY)

1st Star: Taylor Hall (WSR)


Tournament Stats Leaders

Scoring Leaders

1. Taylor Hall (WSR) 5 PTS (4G 1A)

2. Jimmy Bubnick (CGY) 4 PTS (2G 2A)

3. Dale Mitchell (WSR) 4 PTS (2G 2A)

4. Toni Rajala (BRN) 4 PTS (2G 2A)

9 Players with 3 Points


Goaltending

1. Jacob De Serres (BRN) 1-1 2.40 GAA .922 SV%

2. Philipp Grubauer (WSR) 2-0 2.50 GAA .917 SV%

3. Martin Jones (CGY) 1-1 4.53 GAA .878 SV%

4. Nicola Riopel (MON) 0-2 4.54 GAA .862 SV%


Tournament Standings after Day 4

1. Windsor 2-0-0 4 PTS 15-5

2. Brandon 1-1-0 2 PTS 7-9

3. Calgary 1-1-0 2 PTS 7-10

4. Moncton 0-2-0 0 PTS 4-9


Tournament Schedule

5/14: Windsor Spitfires 9 Brandon Wheat Kings 3
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=107

5/15: Calgary Hitmen 5 Moncton Wildcats 4
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=108

5/16: Brandon Wheat Kings 4 Moncton Wildcats 0
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=109

5/17: Calgary Hitmen 2 Windsor Spitfires 6

5/18: Moncton Wildcats VS. Windsor Spitfires 7:00 PM

5/19: Brandon Wheat Kings VS. Calgary Hitmen 7:00 PM

5/20: Tie Breaker (If Necessary) 7:00 PM

5/21: Semifinal: #2 Seed VS. #3 Seed 7:00 PM

5/23: Championship: #1 Seed VS. SF Winner 6:00 PM

Calgary has 4 goal 3rd period to stun Moncton

With Calgary's Brandon Kozoun unable to play because of an injury. Things were looking good for the Moncton Wildcats as they were in control in their Memorial Cup Opener as the Wildcats used 2 goals from Alex Saulnier plus what was another great performance by Nicola Riopel to stop 22 saves in this game. Also goals by Devon Macausland and David Savard also scored for Moncton.

Even without Kozuon, the Hitmen were on the comeback trail in the 3rd period. An early goal Joel Broda made it 3-2. Then after Moncton made it 4-2 with Saulnier's 2nd of the game, the Hitmen turned it up on all cilinders as the Hitmen scored 3 times in just over 4 minutes in the 3rd with goals from Nyren, Foucault and Shattock to comeback to win 5-4 and take their first win from this year's tournament.

Today's game is a key game as Brandon & Moncton will battle and both teams need this win as the loser will go to 0-2 and it will be a serve climb for the Memorial Cup Title for the loser of today's game.


From the Memorial Cup Website: www.mastercardmemorialcup.com

From Brandon, Manitoba: The Calgary Hitmen offense exploded with 3 goals in the final 6 minutes of play to surprise the Moncton Wildcats 5-4 Saturday Afternoon at the Westman Place.

As soon as the puck dropped, the Wildcats put pressure on Calgary's defense with big hits on Jayven Rissling and Zak Stebner.

Moncton was the first team to get on the board at 9:53. Devon Macausland in the slot, but the puck was redirected into the net by a Hitmen Defensemen.

Fans had to wait till the 2nd period to see the game's next marker. Defensemen David Savard put the Wildcats up 2-0 with a beautiful wrist-shot that fooled goalie Martin Jones just before the mid-way point. Moncton added a third goal at the 14:11 mark courtesy of Alex Saulnier before Tyler Fiddler cut the lead with his first goal of the tournament.

In the opening minutes of the 3rd period, Ian Schutlz centered a pass when Joel Broda buried behind Riopel. But the Wildcats soon countered as Alex Saulnier registered his second goal of the game nine seconds into a power play to make it 4-2.

The floodgates soon opened up in the last six minutes as Giffen Nyren, Kris Foucault and Tyler Shattock recorded three unanswered markers to give Calgary the win.

Joel Broda was named the Games first Star. Alex Saulnier recorded second star Honors while Tyler Shattock got the 3rd star of the game.

Game 3 of the 2010 Mastercard Memorial Cup hits the airwaves of Rogers Sportsnet and RDS tomorrow at 2:00 PM at the Brandon Wheat Kings battle the Moncton Wildcats. The game can also been seen live on www.sportsnet.ca and on the NHL Network on the USA.


Tournament Records: Calgary is 1-0-0 Moncton is 0-1-0


Game Boxscore

Calgary Hitmen 5 Moncton Wildcats 4 (0-1, 1-2, 4-1)

0-1 MON: Devon Macausland (Unassisted) 9:53 1st

0-2 MON: David Savard (Gormley, Cameron) 7:42 2nd

0-3 MON: Alex Saulnier (Pettersson, Stephens) 14:11 2nd

1-3 CGY: Tyler Fiddler (Cowan) 18:52 2nd

2-3 CGY Joel Broda (Schultz, Stebner) 3:08 3rd

2-4 MON: Alex Saulnier (PP) (Stephens, Savard) 8:48 3rd

3-4 CGY: Giffen Nyren (PP) (Broda, Stone) 14:15 3rd

4-4 CGY Kris Foucault (Bubnick, Shattock) 16:29 3rd

5-4 CGY Tyler Shattock (Bubnick) 18:42 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: CGY 27 MON 38

PP: CGY 1/3 MON 1/3

PIM: CGY 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties MON 6 Minutes on 3 Penalties

Goalies: CGY Martin Jones 34 SVS on 38 Shots MON Nicola Riopel 22 SVS on 27 Shots

ATT: 5123

3rd Star: Tyler Shattock (CGY)

2nd Star: Alex Saulnier (MON)

1st Star: Joel Broda (CGY)


Tournament Standings after Day 2

1. Windsor 1-0-0 2 PTS 9-3

2. Calgary 1-0-0 2 PTS 5-4

3. Moncton 0-1-0 0 PTS 4-5

4. Brandon 0-1-0 0 PTS 3-9


Tournament Schedule

5/14: Windsor Spitfires 9 Brandon Wheat Kings 3 (5-0, 4-1, 0-2)
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=107

5/15: Calgary Hitmen 5 Moncton Wildcats 4 (0-1, 1-2, 4-1)
www.leaguestat.com/chl/memcup/en/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=108

5/16: Brandon Wheat Kings VS. Moncton Wildcats 2:00 PM

5/17: Calgary Hitmen VS. Windsor Spitfires 7:00 PM

5/18: Moncton Wildcats VS. Windsor Spitfires 7:00 PM

5/19: Brandon Wheat Kings VS. Calgary Hitmen 7:00 PM

5/20: Tie Breaker (If Necessary) 7:00 PM

5/21: Semifinal: #2 Seed VS. #3 Seed 7:00 PM

5/23: Championship: #1 Seed VS. SF Winner

Hitmen use Fast start to control Game 3, go up 3-0 in the WHL Championship

It took 3 late goals in the 1st period to give the Hitmen control of Game 3 up in Washington State to put the Hitmen on the brink of a Championship Series and a Memorial Cup Spot for the start of next weeks event which starts on May 14.

In addition to the 3 early goals, Martin Jones stopped 29 of 30 shots to keep the Americans at bay as the Americans couldn't find a way to figure him out all night long. Game 4 is tonight and a Hitmen would put give them the WHL Championship for the first time since the 1998-1999 season.

As for the Americans, they merely looking to at-least prevent the Hitmen from winning the Championship on home soil. Game 4 is on Wednesday Night and the Hitmen will be looking to finish this one in quick fashion like Windsor did in the OHL Championship Series.

From the Western Hockey League Website: www.whl.ca

From Kennewick, Washington: Martin Jones made 29 saves as his Hitmen scored three times en route to a 4-1 victory over the Tri-City Americans in game 3 of the 2010 WHL Championship Series on Tuesday Night in Kennewick.

The victory gives the Hitmen a commanding 3-0 lead over the Americans in the best-of-7 series, and leaves them one victory away from capturing their 2nd ever WHL Championship.

Kris Foucault, Michael Stone, Cody Sylvester and Ian Schultz - with a goal and assist - scored the for the Hitmen, who withstood early pressure from the Americans before scoring three times late in the 1st period. Kruise Reddick with a power-play marker late in the 3rd period, scored the lone goal for the Americans, who have managed to beat Martin Jones just twice in the series. Alexander Pechurskiy made 31 saves to take the loss in his first start of the playoffs.

The Americans will host the Americans the Hitmen for Game 4 of the best-of-7 Championship Series on Wednesday.


Calgary Hitmen Leads the Series 3-0, Calgary can Clinch the WHL Championship with a win on Wednesday Night.

Game Boxscore

Calgary Hitmen 4 Tri-City Americans 1 (3-0, 0-0, 1-1)

1-0 CGY: Kris Foucault (Bubnick, Nyren) 12:16 1st

2-0 CGY: Misha Fisenko (PP) (Stone, Nyren) 18:39 1st

3-0 CGY: Cody Sylvester (Schultz, Jones) 19:37 1st

3-1 TRI: Kruise Reddick (PP) (Lazo, Hughesman) 17:25 3rd

4-1 CGY: Ian Schultz (EN) (SH) (Stone) 19:14 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: CGY 35 TRI 30

PP: CGY 1/2 TRI 1/7

PIM: CGY 18 Minutes on 9 Penalties TRI 8 Minutes on 4 Penalties

Goalies: CGY Martin Jones 29 SVS on 30 Shots TRI Alexander Pechurskiy 31 SVS on 34 Shots

ATT: 4699

3rd Star: Kruise Reddick (TRI)

2nd Star: Giffen Nyren (CGY)

1st Star: Martin Jones (CGY)

WHL Championship Game 2: Calgary contuines to Smoother Tri-City to win 4-1

It was another dominating performance for the Hitmen are half way through to the League Championship as the Hitmen had a 4-1 win over the Americans on Saturday Night. Unlike the spectacular ind. performances on Friday Night, it was a strong team defense that kept the Americans to 22 SOG during the game, including to just 13 in the first 2 periods.

Joel Broda has continued his strong post-season run with his 13th goal of the season to open the scoring midway through the 1st period. However it was early in the 2nd period with Cowan and Kosterman scoring in just over a minute apart early in the 2nd period to basically put the game away as the Hitmen turned into a defensive mood to shut down the Americans to get the win.

Now the series shifts to Kennwick, Washington as the Americans are looking to a strong home crowd to inspire them help them comeback and to reverse these 2 games were they outscored 11-1 in the 2 games so far in the WHL Final.

From the Western Hockey League Website: www.whl.ca

From Calgary, Alberta: Rookie Peter Kosterman's first career WHL Goal stood as the winner as the Calgary Hitmen downed the Tri-City Americans in Game 2 of the 2010 WHL Championship Series on Saturday Night in Calgary, AB.

The win gives the Hitmen a 2-0 lead over the Americans in the best-of-7 series final. The Hitmen blanked the Ams 7-0 in the opening game back on Friday Night.

Joel Broda, Del Cowan and Tyler Fiddler - with a goal and an assist - also scored while Brandon Kozun chipped in two assists for the Hitmen, who out-shot the Americans 30-13 through two periods and 41-22 in the contest. Martin Jones made 21 saves to record his 30th career playoff victory.

Johnny Lazo scored 4:34 into the 2nd period for the Americans, ending a 146 minute and 37 second scoreless drought versus Martin Jones, dating back to the 2008-09 regular season. Drew Owsley stopped 12 of 15 shots faced his way through 25:53 of action before giving away to Alex Pechurskiy, who turned aside 25 of 26 shots the rest of the way.

The Americans will host the Hitmen for Games 3 and 4 as the best-of-7 WHL Championship Series Continues Tuesday & Wednesday in Kennewick, Washington.


Calgary Hitmen Leads Series 2-0. Game 3 will be on Tuesday Night in Kennwick, Washington.

Tri-City Americans 1 Calgary Hitmen 4 (0-1, 1-2, 0-1)

0-1 CGY: Joel Broda (Nyren, Schultz) 10:11 1st

0-2 CGY: Peter Kosterman (Fiddler, Royer) 2:40 2nd

0-3 CGY: Del Cowan (Stone, Kozun) 3:53 2nd

1-3 TRI: Johnny Lazo (Toll, Shinnimin) 4:34 2nd

1-4 CGY: Tyler Fiddler (Kozun) 17:06 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: TRI 22 CGY 38

PP: TRI 0/7 CGY 0/4

PIM: TRI 32 Minutes on 9 Penalties CGY 25 Minutes on 11 Penalties

Goalies: TRI Drew Owsley 12 SVS on 15 Shots Alexander Pechurskiy 22 SVS on 23 Shots

ATT: 10049

3rd Star: Alexander Pechurskiy (TRI)

2nd Star: Giffen Nyren (CGY)

1st Star: Ian Schultz (CGY)

WHL Championship Game 1: Calgary Hits often for 7-0 Win

A huge start for the Hitmen as Calgary is looking for redemption after losing in Last year's Final to Kelowna with a 7-0 win over the Tri-City Americans in Calgary on Friday Night. The 7 goal firing squad was lead by Misha Fisenko and Matt Mackenzie who each scored twice in the game. Despite the Americans best efforts, Martin Jones was able to get his 2nd shutout of the playoffs with a 26 save performance.

The Hitmen are off to a great start and will be looking to make it 2-0 at home on Saturday Night.

From the Western Hockey League Website: www.whl.ca

From Calgary, Alberta: Martin Jones made 26 saves to record his 2nd shutout of the 2010 WHL Playoffs as the Calgary Hitmen skated to a 7-0 win over the visiting Tri-City Americans in Game 1 of the 2010 WHL Championship Series on Friday Night.

Matt Mackenzie and Misha Fisenko each scored twice - with his 10th of the playoffs - Brandon Kozoun and Cody Beach also scored for the Hitmen, who scored 4 goals on 11 shots in the first period in the series-opening win. Del Cowan, Michael Stone, and Ben Wilson each added two assists.

Drew Owsley allowed four goals on nine shots in the first 10:52 of the game before giving way to the Americans back-up goaltender, who made 11 of 13 saves the rest of the way in the loss for the Tri-City Americans.

The Hitmen and Americans will go at it again in Game 2 of the WHL Championship Series on Saturday Night in Calgary.


Calgary Leads Series 1-0

Game Boxscore

Tri-City Americans 0 Calgary Hitmen 7 (0-4, 0-2, 0-1)

0-1 CGY: Cody Sylvester (Schultz, Stone) 6:08 1st

0-2 CGY: Matt Mackenzie (PP) (Shattock, Stebner) 9:12 1st

0-3 CGY: Matt Mackenzie (PP) (Foucault, Bubnick) 10:01 1st

0-4 CGY: Misha Fisenko (Cowan, Stone) 10:52 1st

0-5 CGY: Brandon Kozoun (Fisenko, Wilson) 5:28 2nd

0-6 CGY: Mish Fisenko (Cowan, Kozun) 19:20 2nd

0-7 CGY: Cody Beach (Fiddler, Wilson) 15:12 3rd


Game Stats

SOG: TRI 26 CGY 23

PP: TRI 0/5 CGY 2/4

PIM: TRI 23 Minutes on 6 Penalties CGY 15 Minutes on 6 Penalties

Goalies: TRI Alexander Pechurskiy 11 SVS on 14 Shots Drew Owsley 5 SVS on 9 Shots

ATT: 10980

3rd Star: Martin Jones (CGY)

2nd Star: Matt Mackenzie (CGY)

1st Star: Misha Fisenko (CGY)

Western Hockey League Championship Series

Just like the Ontario Hockey League Championship Series, the Western Hockey League will have both of the Top Seeded Teams from both the Eastern & Western Conference. Calgary is back in the Eastern Conference Championship for the 2nd straight year as the Hitmen is looking to make up for losing last year's WHL Championship to the Kelowna Rockets.

Leading the way for Calgary has Brandon Kozun who's leading the entire playoffs with 26 PTS (7G 19A) while Joel Broda is among the playoff leaders in goals with 12 as he will need to be a big part of a team that's generally very fast but do they have enough finishers. Cody Sylvester is doing a great job towards increasing his scoring ability.

During his 2 seasons with the Hitmen, he has only 15 goals combined during the regular season. So far in the playoffs, he has 9 goals thanks to a huge series against Moose Jaw where he had to help the Hitmen who to comeback after having a bad start to the series against the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Opening Round of the playoffs.

In goal for the Hitmen is Martin Jones who's a strong 12-6 in this year's playoffs. If he can have a strong Championship that can get his team to the Memorial Cup in Brandon, it could make things interesting with the LA Kings who currently hold his rights and would at least be with the LA Kings AHL Affiliate Manchester Monarchs.

Tri-City is looking to pull off the upset of sorts as the Americans won the Division and have had interesting playoff run. The Conference Quarterfinals saw a tough Chilliwack Team took them to 6 games, another tough series against defending league champion Kelowna Rockets. Despite the Americans won in 5 Games, every game was decided by 2 or fewer goals in every game and the Rockets goalie Mark Guggenberger made things tough at times. Recently against the B.C. Division Champion Vancouver Giants had them down 1-0 & 2-1 before the Americans won 3 straight to win the Series in 6 games.

For the Americans to have a shot on offense, the Americans will need the efforts as no one has double digit goals and the team has some great setup men like Justin Feser & Adam Hughesman who are among the assists leaders. But they will need these players to join in the attack with players like Brendan Shinnimin, Kruise Reddick and Sergei Drozd. These are the Centerman that are looking to be the physical bunch that can also push around the smaller Hitmen Forwards.

If the Americans goaltending starter as Drew Owsley as he has a 12-3 record with a strong looking 2.14 GAA. This could be the Americans biggest strength and could have what it takes to help fight off Hitmen superstar Brandon Kozoun.

Expect a great battle for the WHL Championship. However, the big issue is that the playoff series have been the longest of the 3 major Junior Leagues who are looking to win the Memorial Cup. Could fatigue be a factor for Brandon & the WHL Champion as the OHL & QMJHL Champions could be fresher and be able to get that final push to win the 2010 Memorial Cup Championship which will begin on May 14 in Brandon, Manitoba.


#1E Calgary Hitmen VS. #1W Tri-City Americans

Calgary Hitmen Road to the Memorial Cup

Regular Season Record: 52-17-3 107 PTS, 269 GF 177 GA, Finished 1st Overall

CONF. Quarterfinals VS. Moose Jaw: Game 1 3-4 L, Game 2 1-4 L, Game 3 7-3 W, Game 4 3-4 L, Game 5 5-2 W, Game 6 7-3 W, Game 7 6-2 W

CONF. Semifinals VS. Medicine Hat: Game 1 5-2 W, Game 2 4-0 W, Game 3 3-4 OTL, Game 4 4-1 W, Game 5 4-5 L, Game 6 3-2 OTW

CONF. Finals VS. Brandon: Game 1 2-4 L, Game 2 3-2 OTW, Game 3 6-3 W, Game 4 4-3 W, Game 5 6-1 W


Calgary Hitmen Scoring Leaders
Brandon Kozun 18 GP 26 PTS (7G 19A, +6)
Joel Broda 18 GP 16 PTS (12G 4A, +3)
Tyler Shattock 16 GP 15 PTS (5G 10A, +3)


Calgary Hitmen Goaltending
18 GP 12-6 2.61 GAA .905 SV%

Full Calgary Hitmen Stats: http://whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=1&season_id=235&leagueId=26&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0


Tri-City Americans Road to the Memorial Cup

Regular Season Record: 47-22-3 97 PTS, 272 GF 193 GA, Finished 1st in the West

CONF. Quarterfinals VS. Chilliwack: Game 1 4-2 W, Game 2 8-1 W, Game 3 1-5 L, Game 4 4-3 OTW, Game 5 3-4 OTL, Game 6 4-1 W

CONF. Semifinals VS. Kelowna: Game 1 5-3 W, Game 2 2-3 L, Game 3 2-0 W, Game 4 3-2 W, Game 5 4-3 OTW

CONF. Finals VS. Vancouver: Game 1 2-4 L, Game 2 4-0 W, Game 3 2-3 OTL, Game 4 5-2 W, Game 5 4-1 W, Game 6 5-2 W


Tri-City Americans Scoring Leaders
Brendan Shinnimin 17 GP 22 PTS (8G 14A, +5)
Kruise Reddick 17 GP 21 PTS (9G 12A, +12)
Brooks Macek 17 GP 17 PTS (6G 11A, +13)


Tri-City Americans Goaltending
Drew Owsley 17 GP 12-5 2.14 GAA .931SV%
Alexander Pechurskiy 2 GP 0-0 2.93 GAA .920 SV%

Full Tri-City Americans Stats: http://whl.ca/stats/statdisplay.php?type=skaters&subType=14&season_id=235&leagueId=26&lastActive=&singleSeason=&confId=0


All Calgary Hitmen Home Games are @ Pengrowth Saddledome

All Tri-City Americans Home Games are @ Toyota Center

Game 1, 4/30: @ Calgary 8:00 PM

Game 2, 5/1: @ Calgary 9:00 PM

Game 3, 5/4: @ Tri-City 9:05 PM

Game 4, 5/5: @ Tri-City 9:05 PM

Game 5, 5/7: @ Calgary 8:00 PM*

Game 6, 5/9: @ Tri-City 7:05 PM*

Game 7, 5/10: @ Calgary 8:00 PM*

*If Necessary

To follow the WHL Championship Series, log on to the following Websites.

Western Hockey League: www.whl.ca

Calgary Hitmen: www.hitmenhockey.com/index.asp

Tri-City Americans: www.amshockey.com

Western HOckey League Conference Finals Schedule & Preview

The top 4 seeds in the Western Hockey League playoffs are going to fight it out for the WHL Championship and the Memorial Cup as the 4 division Champions are the only left standings. The Calgary Hitmen (Central Division), The Brandon Wheat Kings (East Division), Vancouver Giants (BC Division), and the Tri-City Americans (U.S.A. Division) all have quality teams that have the ability to win the championship.

However, will the amount of talent and long series take a toll on the WHL Champion's ability to compete for the Memorial Cup next month in Brandon, Manitoba.

Note: If the Brandon Wheat Kings advance to the WHL Championship Series, the Western Conference Champions will automatically advance to the Memorial Cup due to the Wheat Kings hosting the tournament.

The Brandon Wheat Kings have one thing on their mind, REVENGE! After falling in a series sweep in last year's Eastern Conference Final, the Wheat Kings will have a bounty on the Hitmen as they look to knockout the Hitmen with players like Matt Calvert and Scott Glennie among a huge cast that has the speed, scoring ability and the size that can eventually ware down the Hitmen.

Brandon's scoring ability is massive, after a regular season where 8 players scored 20 or more goals. The Wheat Kings have been able to continue to spread the scoring threats as Brayden Schenn with 15 points (7G 8A), also Brent Raedeke, Matt Calvert, and Aaron Lewadniuk who has 5 or more goals so far in the playoffs. In Net, both Jacob De Serres is an impressive 7-1 in the playoffs with a 2.79 GAA in the playoffs as he looks to improve as the games start to get bigger and bigger as the road to the Memorial Cup continues.

Calgary will respond with players like Brandon Kozoun who's leading the league in assists with 13. If the Hitmen are going to need improve their special teams as the Wheat Kings have been very strong on the special teams and have the among the best in the entire major junior playoffs.

Can the Hitmen pull off another big series win over the Wheat Kings or will the Wheat Kings get their revenge.

The Western Conference will have the Tri-City Americans breathing easier as the Americans have avoided a possible big time showdown against the US Division Rival Portland Winterhawks. Many thought that with the U.S. Division being the strongest in the league, that we would have an all US Matchup for the Western Conference Final between the Americans & Winterhawks.

Now it's the Vancouver Giants lead by leading scorers Craig Cunningham and Brendan Gallagher who among the scoring leaders with 19 & 18 points. Including Cunningham who leads all players with 19 points (11G 8A). You also have Lance Bouma who's among the top assists getter's with 11 in 10 games played. For the Giants concerns, it may be in net as Mark Segan hasn't found a way to up his game after his 2.66 GAA during the regular season with a 3.59 GAA so far in 10 playoff games in the post-season against the Chilliwack Bruins & the Portland Winterhawks so far in the post-season.

Tri-City will be looking to Dergei Drozd & Brooks Macek who's speed and overall game has taken them to the Conference Final. The Americans are starting to get better as the playoffs go on. Despite playing the 8th seeded Chilliwack Bruins and 6th seeded Kelowna Rockets, this team is playoff updates as the have had some very tough matchups. The Experience of the Kelowna Rockets with players like Mark Guggenberger who have been able to challenge the Americans championship hopes.

Perhaps the Americans secrets weapon is goaltender Drew Owsley has improved his game throughout his junior career since he started last year with the Americans. During the regular season, the Americans goalie has improved his GAA from 2.94 last year where he played just 17 games (Mostly late in the Season), to a great 2.23 this year in the playoffs. After a few struggles against Chilliwack, he's starting to get into his grove as he hasn't been able to give up more then 3 goals and had a shutout against Kelowna in Game 3 of the Conference Semifinals.


Here's a look WHL Conference Finals Schedules. The Winners will compete for the WHL Championship.

Eastern Conference Final


#1 Calgary Hitmen VS. #2 Brandon Wheat Kings

Calgary Hitmen Road to the Memorial Cup

Regular Season Record: 52-17-3 107 PTS, 269 GF 177 GA

East QFS VS. Moose Jaw: Game 1 2-4 L, Game 2 1-4 L, Game 3 7-3 W, Game 4 3-4 L, Game 5 5-2 W, Game 6 7-3 W, Game 7 6-2 W

East SFS VS. Medicine Hat: Game 1 5-2 W, Game 2 4-0 W, Game 3 3-4 OTL, Game 4 4-1 W, Game 5 2-5 L, Game 6 3-2 OTW


Calgary Scoring Leaders
Brandon Kozun 13 GP 18 PTS (5G 13A, +3)
Tyler Shattock 13 GP 15 PTS (5G 10A, +7)
Joel Broda 13 GP 10 PTS (8G 2A, +2)


Calgary Goaltending
Martin Jones 13 GP 8-5 2.69 GAA .897 SV%


Brandon Wheat Kings Road to the Memorial Cup

Regular Season Record: 50-18-4 104 PTS, 321 GF 204 GA

East QFS VS. Swift Current: Game 1 5-2 W, Game 2 5-3 W, Game 3 5-2 W, Game 4 3-2 OTW

East SFS VS. Saskatoon: Game 1 6-2 W, Game 2 4-1 W, Game 3 4-5 L, Game 4 3-4 L, Game 5 3-2 W, Game 6 5-4 W


Brandon Scoring Leaders
Brayden Schenn 10 GP 15 PTS (7G 8A, +1)
Colby Robak 10 GP 12 PTS (3G 9A, +4)
Aaron Lewadniuk 10 GP 11 PTS (6G 5A, +3)

Brandon Goaltending
Jacob De Serres 8 GP 7-1 2.79 GAA .909 SV%
Andrew Hayes 2 GP 1-1 3.03 GAA .898 SV%


All Calgary Hitmen Home Games are @ Pengrowth Saddledome

All Brandon Wheat Kings Home Games are @ Westman Place

Game 1, 4/16: @ Calgary 8:00 PM

Game 2, 4/17: @ Calgary 8:00 PM

Game 3, 4/20: @ Brandon 7:00 PM

Game 4, 4/21: @ Brandon 7:00 PM

Game 5, 4/23: @ Calgary 8:00 PM*

Game 6, 4/25: @ Brandon 6:00 PM*

Game 7, 4/27: @ Calgary 8:00 PM*

*If Necessary


Western Conference Finals


#1 Tri-City Americans VS. #2 Vancouver Giants

Tri-City Americans Road to the Memorial Cup

Regular Season Record: 47-22-3 97 PTS, 272 GF 193 GA

West QFS VS. Chilliwack: Game 1 4-2 W, Game 2 8-1 W, Game 3 1-5 L, Game 4 4-3 OTW, Game 5 3-4 OTL, Game 6 4-1 W

West SFS VS. Kelowna: Game 1 5-3 W, Game 2 2-3 L, Game 3 2-0 W, Game 4 3-2 W, Game 5 4-3 W


Tri-City Scoring Leaders
Brendan Shinnimin 11 GP 13 PTS (6G 7A, +3)
Brooks Macek 11 GP 13 PTS (4G 9A, +12)
Sergei Drozd 11 GP 12 PTS (7G 5A, +10)

Tri-City Goaltending
Drew Owsley 11 GP 8-3 2.23 GAA .930 SV%
Alexander Pechurskiy 2 GP 0-0 2.93 GAA .920 SV%


Vancouver Giants Road to the Memorial Cup

Regular Season Record: 41-25-6 88 PTS, 267 GF 211 GA

West QFS VS. Kamloops: Game 1 4-3 OTW, Game 2 6-3 W, Game 3 5-4 OTW, Game 4 5-4 W

West SFS VS. Portland: Game 1 9-6 W, Game 2 7-4 W, Game 2 7-4 W, Game 3 2-3 L, Game 4 5-3 W, Game 5 4-5 L, Game 6 3-1 W


Vancouver Scoring Leaders
Craig Cunningham 10 GP 19 PTS (11G 8A, +10)
Brendan Gallagher 10 GP 18 PTS (9G 9A, +13)
Lance Bouma 10 GP 14 PTS (3G 11A, +6)

Vancouver Goaltending
Mark Segal 10 GP 8-2 3.59 GAA .891 SV%


All Tri-City Americans Home Games are @ Toyota Center

All Vancouver Giants Home Games are @ Pacific Coliseum

Game 1, 4/16: @ Tri-City 9:05 PM

Game 2, 4/17: @ Tri-City 9:35 PM

Game 3, 4/20: @ Vancouver 9:00 PM

Game 4, 4/22: @ Vancouver 9:00 PM

Game 5, 4/24: @ Tri-City 3:00 PM*

Game 6, 4/26: @ Vancouver 9:00 PM*

Game 7, 4/27: @ Tri-City 9:05 PM*

*If Necessary