Hitmen vs Hurricanes: WHL Round 1 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Buff · 03-22-2006, 11:59 AM

Only 2 days away. I'll probably go to the first two games here in Lethbridge.

Prepare to see an upset. The Hitmen will not walk all over the Hurricanes. Nope. They'll win the series though.

Hitmen in 6.

By the way, how much are playoff tickets for the Hitmen this year? $20 in Lethbridge this year, up $2 from last year. I recall the tickets were higher for the Hitmen than the Canes last year but I don't recall how much.

Resolute 14 · 03-22-2006, 06:09 PM

I may go down to Lethbridge for one of the games this weekend. Probably decide if I want to by Friday, then let ticket availability make the final decision for me.

Hitmen tickets are $20 for adults, according to ticketmaster. If that is before their rape fees, then that is about a 22% increase over the $15.75 regular season price ($18.75 including fees).

As far as this series goes, I agree that it isnt likely to be a short one, especially since Calgary is in a major funk right now. We've let a lot of very bad teams beat us lately - Red Deer twice, Swift Current, Regina, Prince Albert. Calgary is playing it's worst hockey of the year at the worst time.

If the Hitmen find that spark they had early, then this series would be over in four or five. As it is, likely six or seven. If it goes seven, it's a tossup.

Zarathustra · 03-22-2006, 06:40 PM

Last year channel 10 was showing the a series each round in the WHL playoffs. Any word if it is the same this year?

Resolute 14 · 03-23-2006, 07:44 AM

Shaw is broadcasting a series a round again. The first round will be Vancouver and Prince George. Don't know if Shaw10 will pick it up though. Hopefully they do.

I would expect that Calgary would be the feature series for the second round, should we get there of course.

Resolute 14 · 03-24-2006, 07:47 PM

Nice. Both fan960.com and Lethbridge's "buzz" radio station have broken listen live links. Not like anyone wanted to actually hear this game or anything.

Edit: LMAO! I can't even get it on WHL's webcast. The ONE game out of eight that they can't broadcast.

Guess I watch PG at Vancouver in 45 minutes and hope for updates...

Resolute 14 · 03-24-2006, 09:32 PM

Hitmen pull out a 3-2 win in a penalty filled affair. Judging by the box score, this is probably going to be a brutal series. Two boarding calls, two checking from behind calls, and a ton of roughing penalties.

Azure · 03-26-2006, 12:59 PM

Hurricanes win the second game, 5-2.

Resolute 14 · 03-26-2006, 01:20 PM

Wasnt much of a game. Lethbridge played like they needed that split to save their season, while Calgary played like they were happy with the split.

The officiating was an embarrassment though. Neither team was at all happy with Rehman last night, but when he let the Hurricanes get away with a major league charge becuase he was already calling a delayed penalty on Lethbridge, the Hitmen finally lost it. Lethbridge got three five on threes to that point, all on cheap calls, but he wouldnt call it the other way. The third period was a battle between a referee's ego, and a team that pretty much dared him to make the calls.

45 powerplays in two games. The WHL is completely embarrassing itself this series as the terrible quality of officiating is out there on display for all to see.

Buff · 03-27-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Wasnt much of a game. Lethbridge played like they needed that split to save their season, while Calgary played like they were happy with the split.

The officiating was an embarrassment though. Neither team was at all happy with Rehman last night, but when he let the Hurricanes get away with a major league charge becuase he was already calling a delayed penalty on Lethbridge, the Hitmen finally lost it. Lethbridge got three five on threes to that point, all on cheap calls, but he wouldnt call it the other way. The third period was a battle between a referee's ego, and a team that pretty much dared him to make the calls.

45 powerplays in two games. The WHL is completely embarrassing itself this series as the terrible quality of officiating is out there on display for all to see.

I haven't been too keen on the officiating in the WHL for years now. After (then Hurricane coach) Bryan Maxwell assaulted a referee after the game, it felt like the refs were always calling the games in the oppositions favor. It took me a while to realize that it is just the quality of officiating in the WHL. The best refs go to the NHL and it filters its way down as you get to lower levels of hockey.

Azure · 03-28-2006, 08:35 PM

Especially if that idiot Zalaski is reffing the game, eh Buff?

Buff · 03-28-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

Especially if that idiot Zalaski is reffing the game, eh Buff?

I'm not keen on him, no. Potter was probably the worst of the bunch. From my view, it looked like he favoured whoever was playing against the Hurricanes and wasn't scared of letting it look that way either... Is he still reffing?

Flickered Flame · 03-28-2006, 08:52 PM

Well regardless of the refs, the Hitmen need to get their heads out of their asses and start to play. 3 more weak goals so far tonight let in by Pogge and its 5-3 Canes headed to the 3rd.

Buff · 03-28-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Well regardless of the refs, the Hitmen need to get their heads out of their asses and start to play. 3 more weak goals so far tonight let in by Pogge and its 5-3 Canes headed to the 3rd.

I just noticed that. 4 goals in the 2nd period by the Hurricanes. They've got 5 goals on just 16 shots. The Hitmen have 3 on 22...

As I type this out the Hurricanes make it 6-3!

Go Canes!

Azure · 03-28-2006, 09:28 PM

Damn right go Canes.

The color guy on Fan 960 is an idiot.

Azure · 03-28-2006, 09:28 PM

Hurricanes win 6-4.

2-1 series lead.

Jagger · 03-29-2006, 01:23 AM

Oh oh. Just waiting for Snakeeye's synopsis on why the ref (good ol' Savage in this case) decided the game against the Hitmen. Not saying that he didn't as Savage is one of the best at being 'the show.' He's a ref that's annoyed the crap out of me at times. We all know that Snakeeye is good for a moan or two at the refs expense each game though!!!!!

This series has a long way to go. The Hitmen should have won in 4 or 5 no doubt. It would seem to me that they were already looking past the Canes. They saw a team that was coming in as cold as can be and they simply weren't ready. Kisio has to take some blame for that.

Still think that the Hitmen get it together and pull this one out though.

Buff · 03-29-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

Damn right go Canes.

The color guy on Fan 960 is an idiot.

Better than what we have to listen to on The Hawk, or Bee or whatever they call that crappy station now.

When the Canes are playin the Hitmen, I always listen to FAN960. I miss Curly doing Canes games. Curly will be the guy to replace Maher as Flames play by play guy, when Maher finally retires.

Buff · 03-29-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagger

Oh oh. Just waiting for Snakeeye's synopsis on why the ref (good ol' Savage in this case) decided the game against the Hitmen. Not saying that he didn't as Savage is one of the best at being 'the show.' He's a ref that's annoyed the crap out of me at times. We all know that Snakeeye is good for a moan or two at the refs expense each game though!!!!!

This series has a long way to go. The Hitmen should have won in 4 or 5 no doubt. It would seem to me that they were already looking past the Canes. They saw a team that was coming in as cold as can be and they simply weren't ready. Kisio has to take some blame for that.

Still think that the Hitmen get it together and pull this one out though.

The Canes is WHL's version of the 2004 Flames. Not certain the Canes will go all that far, but they have a similar game plan. Skate faster, work harder, hit harder and never quit until your opponent can't get back up.

The Canes are going to be an impressive team in a couple of years. They've got a fine collection of 16 year olds and all of these guys are hard working players with some talent to boot.

Azure · 03-29-2006, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buff

Better than what we have to listen to on The Hawk, or Bee or whatever they call that crappy station now.

When the Canes are playin the Hitmen, I always listen to FAN960. I miss Curly doing Canes games. Curly will be the guy to replace Maher as Flames play by play guy, when Maher finally retires.

That would be great. I love Curle as well; second last home game against the Hitman a couple weeks ago, Curle was down at the timekeepers bench and I went and talked to him for a while. He's a good guy.

Jagger · 03-30-2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buff

.The Canes are going to be an impressive team in a couple of years. They've got a fine collection of 16 year olds and all of these guys are hard working players with some talent to boot.

There's no doubt about that. They should be very good two years down the line. As a long-time Rebels fan I'm already looking forward to the battles with the Canes as the Rebels should be similarly good at that point.