2008-09 Calgary Hitmen/WHL thread

[Resolute 14]

lol, I am too.

I'd credit a lot of it to getting Kisio the hell away from the bench. He is a surprisingly good GM, but this team was held back the last four years by mediocre coaching.

I can agree on the thought that the Hitmen could be surprised in the playoffs. However, and not to dismiss the argument, there is not a single team in the East that stands out and makes you say "that's the team that would give Calgary fits." Someone could well come along and knock the Hitmen off, but nobody stands out as the team Calgary does not want to face.

I was going to comment on the East being somewhat mediocre relative to the West, but really, once you get past Vancouver and Tri-City, the West doesn't really scare me either.

Two elite teams in the West, one playing like an elite team in the East, and a lot of also-rans.

Personally, I would be stunned if Vancouver isn't the Dub's rep in Rimouski.

[Flickered Flame]

I think the biggest key to success is that the Hitmen rarely get outworked. All 18 skaters show up and play every night. It also helps that their top 4 defencemen are as good as any in this league. They have one of the top lines in the league, if not the top line. And finally I guess, special teams is a huge difference maker for the Hitmen. They have been #1 or #2 on the power play all year and the same for the penalty killing.

[Resolute 14]

Ten in a row now after a 2-0 win over Kootenay.

Great, great game by the Ice, who were frustrating our offence all night long. A ton of blocked shots, and a forecheck that matched our own. Really tough game, but Jones stood tall.

Only a string of stupid penalties in the first prevented this game from going to OT at 0-0.

[604flames]

Giants finally suffered a regulation home loss, 2-1 vs. Kamloops. They have really lacked energy since the xmas break, can't wait for Blum and Kane to get back.

[Resolute 14]

I saw that. It's about time.

Jones posted his second shutout in 22 hours this afternoon as the Hitmen continued to demolish division opponents. 6-0 over Medicine Hat. Was an odd game, as Medicine Hat looked to be the stronger team for the first quarter of the game, but the Hitmen just flipped a switch and ended up skating to a relatively easy win.

[604flames]

Wow...

Lethbridge picked up Kyle Beach and d-man Mike Alexander from the Silvertips for Dan Iwanski, Alex Theriau and a 1st rounder in next year's draft.

Sorry moon...

[Resolute 14]

Good trade for Lethbridge. As much as they have struggled, home ice in the first round is very much there for the taking. Looks like the Canes know they have the pieces, and want to take a shot at it.

[moon]

I actually haven't seen enough of Beach to hate him, plus most of the posters (on other boards) that I see complaining about him are jack asses so he can't be all bad!

Giving up Theriau and Iwanski is no big deal as Theriau, although a high pick, was the worst of all the young defensemen we have had this year.

Iwanski tries his best but he is a 3rd liner at best and a guy that they should be able to replace without much trouble.

The Canes were looking very good prior to everyone leaving/getting hurt. Their current 7 game losing streak is very misleading considering who they are missing. I think they will finish in the 4th/5th spot and have a great first round series against whoever they play.

With King, Boychuk, Wright, Versteeg and Metsola this year really is the time to take a shot or else totally blow it up because next year they will lose a lot. Looks like they chose to go for it which is good in my books.

[604flames]

^^ Beach can take control of a game all by himself. The only catch is that it can be either in a good way or a bad way. Good player when his head is on straight though.

He's been rumoured to be on his way out of Everett since the deadline last year too, some people I've heard gab thought he'd go to Kelowna for Cody Almond but guess not..

[Resolute 14]

Well, it was inevitable that Everett was going to trade some guys. Would rather they left Beach in the West though.

[Flickered Flame]

Hitmen win their 16th straight at home tonight, 7-1 over the Raiders. This team just keeps scoring even without both Sonne and Bortis. Marty came within 34 seconds of getting his 3rd straight shutout and 4th straight shutout at home. Only a couple more weeks until the Hitmen play the Giants.

[Resolute 14]

Feel so bad for Jones. He should have had the shutout, but his team flat out bailed on him in the final minute. He saved a two on one, then a turnover and the Raiders goal was a roof job from 5 feet out with nobody anywhere near.

The only good thing about that was the reaction of the players. They just won their 12th in a row by a 7-1 score, and they were pissed that they let that one in.

The scary thing about our 22-1 home record is that it could easily have been 23-0. That one loss was a dead even game against Saskatoon where the Blades just got that one extra bounce.

[JohnnyO]

Does anyone have the NFL offer code for Hitmen Tickets. I deleted my email before I realized my kid wants to go to see a hockey game. Flames tickets are a bit too rich for a 4year old who will probably only watch 5mins of the actual game.

Much Appreciated.

[604flames]

A few trades today, notably:

Spokane (who is reportedly getting Ondrej Roman back) getting Brady Calla from Kamloops for Seth Compton.

Flames prospect Ryley Grantham being traded from Moose Jaw to Kelowna for Dylan Hood.

Vancouver snagging Nick Ross and Alex Rodgers from Kamloops for Curtis Kulchar and picks...

Small one: Hitmen trade Ryan Fox to the Ice for Kris Foucault (who was playing in the AJHL).

Also, rumour has it that John Negrin could be traded to Tri-City.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by JohnnyO

Does anyone have the NFL offer code for Hitmen Tickets. I deleted my email before I realized my kid wants to go to see a hockey game. Flames tickets are a bit too rich for a 4year old who will probably only watch 5mins of the actual game.

Much Appreciated.

Don't have it, sorry, but just go to 7-11 and get vouchers. After taxes, it's something like $15 for an adult ticket and $10 for a kid.

As far as the Hitmen trade goes, not a bad swap. Fox wasn't getting a ton of ice time, and Focaulit is apparently doing well in Jr A.

[Flickered Flame]

The Hitmen have won the Broda sweepstakes. Hitmen get both Broda and Karpov from MJ in return the Warriors get Brenden Rowinski, 2nd, and a 7th.

[moon]

Originally Posted by 604flames

Vancouver snagging Nick Ross and Alex Rodgers from Kamloops for Curtis Kulchar and picks...

I was hoping that Lethbridge would get Ross but I guess with the addition of Alexander the defense is likely set.

Doesn't seem like a lot to give up to get a player like Ross, but I guess he hasn't had the best attitude since coming to Kamloops.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

The Hitmen have won the Broda sweepstakes. Hitmen get both Broda and Karpov from MJ in return the Warriors get Brenden Rowinski, 2nd, and a 7th.

At the game tonight, every time I walked past a TV, I saw the second half of that note on the Sportsnet ticker "...for Brenden Rowinsky, a second round and a seventh round pick." Four separate times I saw that, and it was driving me up the wall trying to figure out who we got, lol.

I love Rowinski's play, but that really doesn't seem like much to give up. Liking this trade a lot.

[604flames]

I would think Saskatoon might push really hard to get somebody, soon. Too bad for them Dana Tyrell is hurt.

[Resolute 14]

They are getting left behind, no doubt. All of the other top teams have made big moves.