2012-13 WHL Season Thread (Hitmen, Rebels, Canes, Tigers, et al)

[Julio]

New rule in WHL to combat 'staged fighting'

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/sports...320/story.html

[Red John]

WHL preview:

A must read.

http://www.blazerhockey.com/article/...erence-preview

[Flickered Flame]

Hitmen beat Red Deer 3-2 to win their season opener tonight.

A real sloppy game. Matt Dumba absolutely demolished Joey Kornelsen with an open ice hit late in the first, the ref called it a blow to the head, it completely changed the game as the Hitmen were able to score 2 power play goals, on Dumba's major, both by Cody Sylvester. Brady Brassart scored the other goal for the Hitmen, also on the power play.

Since Zane Jones has been discussed here, he looked alright tonight. Had a couple of bad turnovers at the Hitmen blue line but he was real solid a long the boards, his size really allows him to control the wall during the cycle.

Home opener tomorrow night vs the Ice.

and how about former Hitmen goalie, Brandon Glover? He made 30 saves in the first period alone in a 5-2 Seattle win over Portland tonight. 30 saves in the first, 55 overall.

[Red John]

Exciting game to start the year. Kamloops beats Kelowna 6-5 in OT. Tim Bozon with the hatty including an OT winner on a 1-on-3 rush.

Not the kind of game a coach likes but entertaining. Riverside Coliseum was rocking.

24 hours later, same two teams at Prospera. Can't wait to check it out.

[Flickered Flame]

Dumba has been suspended for his hit to the head last night.

[Charcot]

Hitmen looking good in a 5-1 win over the ice. A poor 1st where they were held in by Drieger but solid after that.

[Drake]

Kale Kessy rears his dirty ass again as he delivered an elbow to the head of Ryan Pilon tonight. Giving his history in the WHL 5 to 10 games is not outta of the question IMO.

[Red John]

Blazers beat Rockets again in dramatic fashion, 3-2.

Down 2-0 after two, win with 33seconds left on PP goal. Kelowna is a real undisciplined team, gave up 11 PP last night, another few tonight and most after the whistle or behind play including the one leading to game winner in the last minute.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Red John

WHL preview:

A must read.

http://www.blazerhockey.com/article/...erence-preview

I like this:

Player to Watch: Brett Kulak

Kulak made his full-time WHL debut for the Giants as a 17-year-old last season, and established himself as not only one of their top defencemen, but one of the better rearguards in the WHL. The Stony Plain, AB, product put up nine goals and 24 points while posting a team-leading +29 rating in 72 games, and helped the team to a fourth-place finish in the Western Conference. A very smart, calm and poised defender, Kulak is the type of player who you may not notice throughout the game, but will greatly appreciate his contributions. Kulak boasts great skating ability, outstanding hockey sense and excellent puck-moving skills. He always seems to make the right plays, and rarely gets caught flat-footed. Likened by some to Duncan Keith, Kulak should be able to develop his offensive game over time. A fourth-round pick of the Calgary Flames at the 2012 NHL Draft, expect Kulak to play a huge role on the blue line for the Giants this season.

[sevenarms]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I like this:

With a write-up like that it's surprising that we got him in the 4th. Here's to hoping that he continues to improve.

[Flickered Flame]

Dumba suspended 2 games for his blow to the head.

[Berger]

Here is the Shaw TV WHL broadcast schedule:
http://www.whl.ca/whl-tv-broadcast-schedules

[Drake]

Calgary, AB - Calgary Hitmen Executive Vice President, Alternate Governor and General Manager Kelly Kisio announced today that the club has acquired a fourth round pick in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft and fifth round pick in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft from the Vancouver Giants in exchange for overage forward Trevor Cheek.

“This move enables the Hitmen to meet the league’s three overage player allowance,” said Kisio. “We wish Trevor all the best in his final WHL season and thank him for his efforts in Calgary.”

http://whl.ca/article/giants-acquire...rom-the-hitmen

[Drake]

WOW! After Kale Kessy reared his dirty ass again the other night, the WHL has come down on hard on him. And when I mean hard, I mean 12 games. He is not eligible to play again until one month from now against Calgary on October 26th. Just maybe this is the damn wake up call the kid needs, since he can be an effective player when he is not acting like a bleeping jackass.

[North East Goon]

Calgary vs. Edmonton tonight, should be a gooder.

[Austin Powers]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

Calgary vs. Edmonton tonight, should be a gooder.

3-1 Calgary with 14:04 to go in the third.

[Flickered Flame]

Hitmen beat Edmonton 4-1 tonight. 3-0 on the season.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Hitmen beat Edmonton 4-1 tonight. 3-0 on the season.

Most impressive to me is the 4 goals given up in 3 games. Thats a winning recipe when added to their balanced offensive abilities.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Most impressive to me is the 4 goals given up in 3 games. Thats a winning recipe when added to their balanced offensive abilities.

They should be one of the better defensive teams in the league. Their blue line has some huge bodies on it. Chris Dreidger, their starting tender, should also be a top 5 goalie in the league this year, he is very good. Lots of commitment from the forwards in their own zone as well. At times they also play quite a defensive style. One forechecker, sometimes they flop 5 guys back, I don't agree with it but so far so good.

[Freeway]

Good crowd at the Dome tonight.
Hitmen look a bit tired.