2007-08 Calgary Hitmen / WHL thread

[604flames]

Out West, the Giants got completely shut down by Spokane in Game 5, lost 4-0 and now trail the series 3-2 heading back to Spoke for games 6 and 7.

Looks like we could potentially have 2 wicked rivalries for the Conference finals, as last time I checked, the Chiefs and Ams didn't get along so well either...

[disco_inferno]

Originally Posted by Buff

I was at the Canes game last night and while the crowd was into it, I think it lacked the playoff buzz that I remember back when the Hitmen eliminated the Canes in the first round a couple of years ago.

...

I'm expecting an excellent series.

I wasn't there, but I heard the opposite, metsola suppsoedly played great and the fans were supposedly screaming 'yu-ha, yu-ha, ...' really fricking loud.

i also heard we dominated for the better part of the game, so perhaps that's why it lacked intensity, they didn't need the crowds energy to win....which is good

i too am expecting a great series. i hope the canes continue to dominate the hitmen...like they have....all....year....long.


Go Canes Go

[moon]

Originally Posted by Buff

I was at the Canes game last night and while the crowd was into it, I think it lacked the playoff buzz that I remember back when the Hitmen eliminated the Canes in the first round a couple of years ago. I believe Pogge was in net back then. Either Getzlaff or Ladd ended the series in Game 7 OT with a shot that was bobbled by Canes netminder Sorochan. I remember the buzz in the Enmax Center back then and I certainly didn't feel it last night.

Might've been the reserved style of play that both teams were doing. The Canes didn't want to blow it and the Ice were nervous about playing was was probably their last game of the year. The crowd seemed pretty good before the puck drop and it sure got into it late in the 3rd when it was apparent that the Canes were advancing, but I don't think the crowd was anything like a couple of years ago. Probably because Kootenay isn't much of a rival compared to Calgary. The Kootenay fans weren't into the game like the Hitmen fans would be.

I'm expecting an excellent series.

I was there and thought the buzz was pretty good for the most part. There were a few quiet stretches but in the third the crowd was really into it.

In my mind it was better than the buzz during the last play-offs, but I can't compare it to the Memorial Cup run in the 90's.

[Buff]

I'm not suggesting the crowd sucked, but I just felt that they should have been more into it. I didn't get that playoff feel, especially for a game where they were about to clinch the series. It was much different in the 3rd, it got better as it went along, but the 1st period definitely didn't feel like a playoff atmosphere.

[dionfan]

Originally Posted by Buff

I was at the Canes game last night and while the crowd was into it, I think it lacked the playoff buzz that I remember back when the Hitmen eliminated the Canes in the first round a couple of years ago. I believe Pogge was in net back then. Either Getzlaff or Ladd ended the series in Game 7 OT with a shot that was bobbled by Canes netminder Sorochan. I remember the buzz in the Enmax Center back then and I certainly didn't feel it last night.

Might've been the reserved style of play that both teams were doing. The Canes didn't want to blow it and the Ice were nervous about playing was was probably their last game of the year. The crowd seemed pretty good before the puck drop and it sure got into it late in the 3rd when it was apparent that the Canes were advancing, but I don't think the crowd was anything like a couple of years ago. Probably because Kootenay isn't much of a rival compared to Calgary. The Kootenay fans weren't into the game like the Hitmen fans would be.

I'm expecting an excellent series.

I remember that series a couple years ago, Pogge got absolutely ticked off and the fans picked up on it. The 'Pogge' chants got him off his game I'm sure, they were quite intense. This time around I only went to the series clinching game and i have to agree that, while the fans were more into it than usual, the atmosphere in the series a couple years ago was louder IMO. But, considering it's Lethbridge here we're talking about, I'll be happy with any noise that can somewhat rival the pre-recorded crowd noise played during those JK Trucking Power Meter things.

[MelBridgeman]

judging by just the boxscore....a 1-0 Chiefs lead and a 13-3 shot edge....we may have a new mem cup champ this year

[604flames]

^^ Saturday night, I could count the Giants' quality chances on one hand and still have a few spare fingers..

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by 604flames

^^ Saturday night, I could count the Giants' quality chances on one hand and still have a few spare fingers..

Victims of your own sucess, the Chiefs seem to be molded after the Giants teams of the last few years.

[604flames]

I've seen Spokane 4 times live this year now, and I've been really impressed with their team each time. Assuming Vancouver doesn't come back, that Spoke/Tri-City series should be terrific.

EDIT: HUGE late goal by Mario Bliznak to tie it at 1-1 after 40 minutes!

EDIT #2: Spoke takes a 2-1 lead ~ 5 mins left

[MelBridgeman]

Chiefs seal it

[604flames]

Better team won that series too.. I think the Giants thought the WHL title was going to be handed to them on a silver platter.

[Resolute 14]

Going to be two amazingly good Conference Final series.

The Hitmen/Canes series starts in Calgary Thursday/Friday. I was rather hoping we'd start on the road.

[Buff]

A bit early but not really... any Hitmen fans from Calgary plan on going to Lethbridge for game(s) 3 and/or 4?

[Flickered Flame]

Hitmen get beat up 5-2 tonight by the Canes. Martin Jones got the start in goal and apparently a couple of weak ones went in. Game 2 tomorrow night at the Dome.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Hitmen get beat up 5-2 tonight by the Canes. Martin Jones got the start in goal and apparently a couple of weak ones went in. Game 2 tomorrow night at the Dome.

I didn't think they were that weak. He certainly didn't make any big saves but the goals weren't too bad.

It was a good win for the Canes and something that I think they needed (a split in Calgary). Hopefully they keep up the intensity and don't let up tomorrow night.

[Resolute 14]

I have no idea what Kisio was thinking starting Jones. I love the way he plays, but this is Spence's team right now, and Spence should have started. Bad decision, couple of not so strong goals, and that's all she wrote.

[disco_inferno]

From the highlights it looked like the Canes rolled the Hitmen last night.

That and Benny Wright is the only Cane capable of growing a good playoff beard.

[dionfan]

huge 4-3 ot win for canes tonight, goin home with a 2-0 series lead

[Resolute 14]

Well, if we lose this series, I can point to the exact instant such a promising season went down the drain. Second period, Calgary up 3-1 and pressing for more. On a broken play, Brock Nixon gets the puck behind the net, has a teammate on the doorstep, goalie out of the play. All Nixon has to do is pass it out front and it's an easy tap in for a 4-1 lead. Instead, Nixon got selfish and tried to score the goal himself on a low-percentage wraparound. He bounces the puck off the side of the net, right onto the stick of a Lethbridge player, down the ice and in our net.

One stupid decision turned a 4-1 game into a 3-2 game. Turned an easy third period into a desperate attempt to maintain a one goal lead, and a 1-1 series into an 0-2 hole going on the road.

Very, very disappointing.

[Vena]

The third period was brutal. The Hitmen couldn't find their legs to begin the period. Once they did, they were just trying to hold the lead.

It's too bad that Nixon had to try a wrap around. Changed the whole game.

Despite the 4 goals, I thought Spence played a solid game. Made a few beautiful saves.