2009-10 Calgary Hitmen/WHL thread

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I've also heard a rumor that the Saddledome ice crew will have the Hitmen logo on the ice, replacing the Flaming C.

Would be nice, but I really can't see them spending the money to do it. It's not the easiest/cheapest thing to do. Hell, they left the C on all year in 04-05 until after the season was formally cancelled.

[arloiginla]

Listened to OT on the radio and it sounded exciting. Laughed so hard at Ken Thrower singing on-air after the OT winner.

Onward and upward. Hoping for the Blades, but I bet it's Brandon.

[johnnyluv]

I hope that Brandon loses this one - they have too much offense for my liking. Saskatoon can play physical and their goaltender is also excellent, but their scoring depth really isn't at our level. Either way, this is almost the reverse of last year - no one in the West genuinely scares me if we can win the East.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Brandon in all likelihood. They lead the Blades 3-2, though games 6 and 7 are in Saskatoon.

I'd rather Saskatoon won though. Brandon is pretty much the only team in the league that scares me as they are a ridiculously good team. There is also general feeling out east that the refs there want them to win.

Game 6 is in Saskatoon. Seven would be in Brandon.

Regarding the referee comment, I seriously hope you are joking.

[Resolute 14]

Yeah, you are right. I realized later that it wasn't 2-3-2 but 2-3-1-1 because of the Winter Fair.

As far as officiating goes, it might mainly be coming from Regina, but there have been some very goofy box scores involving Brandon all year long.

[Hades]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

Listened to OT on the radio and it sounded exciting. Laughed so hard at Ken Thrower singing on-air after the OT winner.

It was pretty crazy eh, though I find he almost doesn't have a 'normal' voice. Great game, good series and so excited for more playoff hockey at the dome!

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

There is also general feeling out east that the refs there want them to win.

Still on the refs eh? Calgary wins with Savage on the ice and you still keep jabbing the officials. Let it go man.

[Resolute 14]

Nice of you to finally show your face around here after the Warriors flamed out.

Calgary loses with Savage on the ice too, so what's your point?

[OILFAN #81]

How is Rajala doing for Brandon? (Beyond statistics in general)

[Flickered Flame]

Brandon wins tonight to set up a Wheat Kings-Hitmen Eastern Final. This will be a difficult series for the Hitmen to win. IMO, Brandon is the best team in the league.

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Yeah, you are right. I realized later that it wasn't 2-3-2 but 2-3-1-1 because of the Winter Fair.

As far as officiating goes, it might mainly be coming from Regina, but there have been some very goofy box scores involving Brandon all year long.

I don't know how many Wheat King games you've watched this year but when you spend some time watching them in action, it's easy to see why they draw so many penalties. 95% of teams simply can't keep up to the Brandon forwards. The number of times I've seen a Wheat Kings player tripped, held or hooked has easily been greater this season then in the past due to the dominance of guys like Calvert, Schenn, Rajala, Glennie, Fehr, Raedeke, Lewadniuk etc, They have their way against their opponents much more often then not because they earn penalties, not because of any kind of ref conspiracy.

Calgary/Brandon is going to be awesome. I have no idea right now which way it is going to go but if Marty Jones doesn't get his act together quick, Brandon very easily go home up 2-0 before Calgary even knows what hit them. That said, I fully expect this one to go 7 games.

[Hades]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

I don't know how many Wheat King games you've watched this year but when you spend some time watching them in action, it's easy to see why they draw so many penalties. 95% of teams simply can't keep up to the Brandon forwards. The number of times I've seen a Wheat Kings player tripped, held or hooked has easily been greater this season then in the past due to the dominance of guys like Calvert, Schenn, Rajala, Glennie, Fehr, Raedeke, Lewadniuk etc, They have their way against their opponents much more often then not because they earn penalties, not because of any kind of ref conspiracy.

Calgary/Brandon is going to be awesome. I have no idea right now which way it is going to go but if Marty Jones doesn't get his act together quick, Brandon very easily go home up 2-0 before Calgary even knows what hit them. That said, I fully expect this one to go 7 games.

I think you've dead on with Jones, the games I've seen he hasn't been the difference maker; either because the Hitmen have scored alot in a win or they lost (usually outshooting the opponent)... I think he'll at least have to be equal with his counterpart in net.

Got tickets to game 2, sect 109 row 5 behind the players bench...$18 a pop!

[johnnyluv]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

Calgary/Brandon is going to be awesome. I have no idea right now which way it is going to go but if Marty Jones doesn't get his act together quick, Brandon very easily go home up 2-0 before Calgary even knows what hit them. That said, I fully expect this one to go 7 games.

I think he'll raise his game alright - he was excellent in the must-win games against Moose Jaw, as well as most of the Medicine Hat series. Calgary hasn't been giving up too many shots, but many of the saves have been the type to make Brad Curle's voice crack from excitement. Given the game 6 that they had, I'd be more worried about some of our defensemen, notably Stebner and Stone.

[arloiginla]

Jones needs to be better. I think the Hitmen will take this in six or seven thrilling games. As long as they don't lose both at home they'll be fine.

It will be interesting to see which team is able to ramp up the intensity for game 1, after playing weaker teams for much of the season and in the first two rounds. Getting the early jump will be critical.

[LockedOut]

Calgary/Brandon series is on Shaw channel starting Friday.

All Games LIVE on SHAW
#1 - Brandon @ Calgary; Friday, April 16 (7:00pm MT)
#2 - Brandon @ Calgary; Saturday, April 17 (7:00pm MT)
#3 - Calgary @ Brandon; Tuesday, April 20 (7:00pm CT)
#4 - Calgary @ Brandon; Wednesday, April 21 (7:00pm CT)
#5 - Brandon @ Calgary; Friday, April 23 (7:00pm MT)**
#6 - Calgary @ Brandon; Sunday, April 25 (6:00pm CT)**
#7 - Brandon @ Calgary; Tuesday, April 27 (7:00pm MT)**
** - if necessary

[Flickered Flame]

Round 2 pick results. Here are the standings after 2 rounds:

Moon 12
Resolute 12
604Flames 12
Jesse834 12
Berger 9
Flickered 9
Jagger 5

Round 3-Have your picks in by Friday.

Vancouver v Tri-Cities
Brandon v Calgary

My Picks:
TC in 7
Calgary in 7

[Berger]

Calgary in 7
TC in 6

[moon]

Vancouver in 6
Calgary in 7

[604flames]

Brandon in 6
Tri-City in 6

[Resolute 14]

Calgary in 7
Tri-City in 5