2024/25 WHL Season thread

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[Roof-Daddy]

Hitmen lost back to back in Sask and PA, Tigers have opened up a 5 point lead in the conference and are now 1st in points percentage as well, although the Hitmen still have 3 games in hand.

Tigers beat Regina 1-0, which is hilarious considering the circus games they had against Regina earlier this season with double digit goals scored in them. McKenna registered an assist on the lone goal to keep his point streak alive at (I think) 31 games? He's falling behind Cristall in the points race though, now 4 back. Cristall made out like a bandit getting traded to Spokane and getting put on a line with Catton and Van Olm. Catton has been on fire since returning from the WJC, and is now 3rd in the scoring race and has caught up to Gavin in points per game at 2.05 points per game.

Tigers are still without Pickford who is out week to week, and last night Woo left the game early. Not good.

Hurricanes lost to Edmonton last night in regulation, the OK's are without leading scorer G Swachyn week to week, but the Canes are still without Marques, Gustafson and have added Wormald to the injured list week to week. Those are three big guns missing, injuries really suck.

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The last 2 Hitmen games have been the worst that I've seen them play in a while. PA is such a different team at home.

I believe the EOK got Sawchyn back last night. Which is going for them because they don't have another play driver.

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Jordan Switzer continues his fine play between the pipes for the Tigers. Some good results on the out of town scoreboard have allowed Medicine Hat to open a small gap in their quest for the Central Division title.

[jkflames]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Hitmen lost back to back in Sask and PA, Tigers have opened up a 5 point lead in the conference and are now 1st in points percentage as well, although the Hitmen still have 3 games in hand.

Tigers beat Regina 1-0, which is hilarious considering the circus games they had against Regina earlier this season with double digit goals scored in them. McKenna registered an assist on the lone goal to keep his point streak alive at (I think) 31 games? He's falling behind Cristall in the points race though, now 4 back. Cristall made out like a bandit getting traded to Spokane and getting put on a line with Catton and Van Olm. Catton has been on fire since returning from the WJC, and is now 3rd in the scoring race and has caught up to Gavin in points per game at 2.05 points per game.

Tigers are still without Pickford who is out week to week, and last night Woo left the game early. Not good.

Hurricanes lost to Edmonton last night in regulation, the OK's are without leading scorer G Swachyn week to week, but the Canes are still without Marques, Gustafson and have added Wormald to the injured list week to week. Those are three big guns missing, injuries really suck.

Braillard also left the game in the 1st against EOK. Injury bug is hitting hard, 4 of our top 6 forwards could be out.

From what I've heard, sounds like Wormald shouldn't be too long, and Marques is thinking mid-March assuming all goes well with his arm. Gustafson is unknown as to length of absense.

Guess I'd rather have these guys out now than in late March, but hopefully they're back in the lineup soon. Haven't looks great as of late, lots of guys playing up in the lineup. Yager has been carrying this team. He's unreal when he's on his game.

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Big game this afternoon as Lethbridge goes east on the #3 Highway to take on the Tigers.

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[Roof-Daddy]

Big win for the Tigers, but so much firepower missing on both sides, it didn't feel like the real thing.

Gustafson, Marques, Wormald, Braillard missing for the Canes, Pickford, Woo, Basha and Lindstrom missing for the Tigers. Although at this point I don't really think you can consider Lindstorm as a missing piece anymore.

Hopefully if they meet in the playoffs most of those players are a part of it.

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I read an article last week that due to the new CHL / NCAA agreement, Lindstrom might be considering a transfer to a US college or university next season. Of course, with Ohio State University being located right in Columbus, that would make total sense for the Blue Jackets pick.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

I read an article last week that due to the new CHL / NCAA agreement, Lindstrom might be considering a transfer to a US college or university next season. Of course, with Ohio State University being located right in Columbus, that would make total sense for the Blue Jackets pick.

It's a nightmare for Canadian major junior fans, and general managers / coaches.

Literally every single star player can up and leave for the NCAA if they want a step up in competition now.

I mean Willy sitting there trying to figure out how to plan for next season...it's bad enough when you have 20's like Basha and St. Martin who could be back as overage or go to the AHL but now he's got to sweat over whether a 19 like Lindstrom will be back, or will they even get the likely 1st overall in the 2026 draft Gavin McKenna back for his draft year?

Imagine losing the revenue he will generate as he plays out the 25/26 season. Buildings sold out everywhere when Bedard was playing his draft year.

[Flickered Flame]

The Hitmen have joined Medicine Hat as teams who have clinched a playoff spot in the East.

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[Flickered Flame]

The Hitmen have moved within 1 point of the Tigers for top spot in the conference.

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[Roof-Daddy]

Yeah the Hitmen with an impressive 5-0 beat down of the Wheaties in their own barn. They had been red hot lately.

Hurricanes with a gutsy win, scored two goals int he final minute to tie the game against the Blazers and then won in a shoot out. Still missing 4 of their top 6 forwards.

Tigers have their 4 game win streak snapped at home to the OKs. McKenna kept his point streak going in the loss, 33 games now.

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Holy moly, what a pass by Gavin McKenna...

https://twitter.com/user/status/1893708534337913241

[Roof-Daddy]

There will be different highlights of Gavin circulating now, sounds like he took a bit of a high hit from the OKs Mori tonight and retaliated with a two hand slash across the shin pad. 5 minute major and a game misconduct with about 5 minutes left.

It looks way worse than it was given today's sticks and shin pads I doubt the kid even felt it, but of course he went down like he'd been shot and was gonna die or something. McKenna took one way worse from Woodward earlier this year in Edmonton that was on the back of the leg and not the protected part.

Anyways, Tigers were down 3-1 and stormed back to beat the OKs 5-3. Thankfully don't play that dirty rotten team again in the regular season.

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Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

There will be different highlights of Gavin circulating now, sounds like he took a bit of a high hit from the OKs Mori tonight and retaliated with a two hand slash across the shin pad. 5 minute major and a game misconduct with about 5 minutes left.

It looks way worse than it was given today's sticks and shin pads I doubt the kid even felt it, but of course he went down like he'd been shot and was gonna die or something. McKenna took one way worse from Woodward earlier this year in Edmonton that was on the back of the leg and not the protected part.

Anyways, Tigers were down 3-1 and stormed back to beat the OKs 5-3. Thankfully don't play that dirty rotten team again in the regular season.

Yeah, I was reading some things online and there appears to be some bad blood simmering between the Tigers and Oil Kings this season. I guess there was a game back in December where McKenna was targeted and the refs did nothing. It's a tale as old as time, if the refs fail to police the game, don't be surprised when the players take matters into their own hands.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Yeah, I was reading some things online and there appears to be some bad blood simmering between the Tigers and Oil Kings this season. I guess there was a game back in December where McKenna was targeted and the refs did nothing. It's a tale as old as time, if the refs fail to police the game, don't be surprised when the players take matters into their own hands.

Yep, it was the Oil Kings teddy bear toss game.

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Also, what a sweet dish by Molendyk to find McKenna uncovered at the far post, acquiring Tanner at the trade deadline was a master stroke by Willie D.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1893861844206391675

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