2007-08 Calgary Hitmen / WHL thread

[Resolute 14]

Ugh... what a gawd awful day for hockey. Hitmen already down 4-0 to Kelowna. Guess this ridiculous schedule is finally starting to catch up to them.

Time to find something other than hockey to watch/listen to...

[604flames]

Ice lose to the Jaw so you guys aren't alone Snakeeye.. Could be worse we could be Canucks

[Jagger]

The schedule is pretty ridiculous at times. I'm not surprised that the Hitmen are suffering due to it. 9 times out of 10 Calgary does not lose to that Rockets team, especially by that wide of a margin.

The Rebels embark on a crazy road trip of their own on Friday. 5 games in 6 nights. Crazy stuff.

In Flames related prospect watch. J.D. Watt took an absolutely bone-headed penalty late in a one goal game last night, with the Rebels on the powerplay and pressing, to completely nullify any chance at a comeback. You expect more out of your vets than that. Don't you dare say "I told you so" 604!!!!!!!

[Resolute 14]

Can I say 'I told you so'?

[604flames]

Hitmen/Giants tonight 8:30 MT...

The 20 year-old cut-down deadline was yesterday, Lethbridge cut Yashar Farmanara, and the Giants picked up Ken Petkau, who quit the Chilliwack Bruins two weeks ago, which should add some spice to the game in the 'Wack on Sunday.

EDIT: but apparently Petkau might not show up, even though he lives in Surrey.

[moon]

Originally Posted by 604flames

Hitmen/Giants tonight 8:30 MT...

The 20 year-old cut-down deadline was yesterday, Lethbridge cut Yashar Farmanara

I really don't like this move. Farmanara wasn't great but he is better than Weins and Dietrich and better than Wuchterl.

Just continues along the lines of stupid moves made by Stasiak though so I really shouldn't be too surprised.

[Resolute 14]

Good. Hopefully Farmanara's career is done. Another guy who lives for the cheapshot.

[604flames]

Wuchterl's a pretty good agitator himself.. No hands though.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Good. Hopefully Farmanara's career is done. Another guy who lives for the cheapshot.

Perhaps he only does it on the road but I have never seen Farmanara cheap shot anyone in his time in Lethbridge. In fact I have only ever see him willing to take on bigger guys to defend Hurricanes that have received cheap shots.

With Wuchterl replacing him if anything I think the cheap shots would only increase.

[604flames]

Pretty good tilt at the Coliseum tonight, Giants coming away with a 4-3 SO win over the Hitmen. Vancouver frittered away a 3-0 second period lead, but Evander Kane deked Spence after he totally missed on a diving poke check to score the shootout winner. Attendance = 7,111 for what it's worth.

Few thoughts on the Hitmen.. They were obviously pretty tired thanks to the schedule (and have another toughie in the 'Wack tomorrow night), but they really battled back in the 3rd period. The Bortis, Sonne, McMillan line was the only line that really stood out for Calgary, probably because it was the only line that scored.

Hitmen also had numerous chances thanks to some really chintzy calls (a charge on Jon Blum for a clean hip-check, for instance?), but Vancouver's PK was solid. Machacek was HUGE for Vancouver, he was their best forward by far.

All in all, a pretty solid effort by two pretty good, fast teams. Lots of big hits too, mostly by the Giants.

EDIT: also bumped into Sonne's dad (who my mom used to work with), he was proudly toting his RBK Edge Blues jersey with said name on the back.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Good. Hopefully Farmanara's career is done. Another guy who lives for the cheapshot.

Well he just signed with Medicine Hat and played for them tonight so it looks like you will get plenty of chances to see more of him this year.

[Resolute 14]

Wonderful

Good comeback by the Hitmen last night, but they gotta stop falling so far behind at the start of games.

[604flames]

^^ The Giants pretty much fell asleep at the wheel in the 3rd last night, Calgary had plenty of chances to win it in regulation.

[West Karma]

nm

[604flames]

I've only seen 7 of the 22 teams so far this year (went to the Giants' spanking of Tri-City tonight), but Chilliwack by far has impressed me the most.

WK, sounds like the same kinda game tonight out there as we had the night before, with CGY coming on strong in the third.. Enjoy tomorrow night, should be a beauty despite it being VAN's third game in 3 nights.

EDIT: just looked at the boxscore, looks like the Campos deal is really paying early dividends! Too bad my hometown Ice decided they'd rather have Chad Greenan...

[Resolute 14]

Fatigue, and just got outworked by the Bruins. I was only able to listen to the 2nd period, but what stuck out was a four minute powerplay where the Hitmen did not get a single shot, but gave up two breakaways. Tired or not, being outworked like that on a long powerplay is inexcusable. I suspect Kisio is going to have a few rough practices between now and Friday's game in Edmonton.

[West Karma]

nm

[Resolute 14]

Hitmen finally back in action tonight... first ever game against the Oil Kings. I was supposed to be working in Camrose today, and was going to head up to catch this one before going home, but changing schedule tripped me up. Hopefully the boys won't be rusty for this one. Gotta shake this losing streak.

[Resolute 14]

Hitmen take the first battle against Edmonton, 4-1, despite the referees handing the Oil Kings seven straight powerplays to end the game.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Hitmen take the first battle against Edmonton, 4-1, despite the referees handing the Oil Kings seven straight powerplays to end the game.

whl.ca says 4-2

duval with the hat trick