2012-13 WHL Season Thread (Hitmen, Rebels, Canes, Tigers, et al) - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Drake · 10-07-2012, 10:04 PM

What the hell is going on with Saskatoon? On paper this team looks like a championship contender, however they are in the Eastern Conference basement with a whopping 4 points which is tied for 13th with two teams. They got their asses handed them to Swift Current on Friday at home by a score of 10-1. I don't think there is a really good excuse for that.

Duncan Siemens was stripped of the "C" after wearing it last year, he doesn't even have an "A" on his jersey. Likely not a great move to do that to one of your best players. I heard about another kid who is also one of their best players could be out the door after he validated team rules. Not going to name the said kid though. I know it is early but this to me looks like it has all the makings of a disastrous season for the MasterCard hosts with all the drama.

Red John · 10-08-2012, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drake

What the hell is going on with Saskatoon? On paper this team looks like a championship contender, however they are in the Eastern Conference basement with a whopping 4 points which is tied for 13th with two teams. They got their asses handed them to Swift Current on Friday at home by a score of 10-1. I don't think there is a really good excuse for that.

Duncan Siemens was stripped of the "C" after wearing it last year, he doesn't even have an "A" on his jersey. Likely not a great move to do that to one of your best players. I heard about another kid who is also one of their best players could be out the door after he validated team rules. Not going to name the said kid though. I know it is early but this to me looks like it has all the makings of a disastrous season for the MasterCard hosts with all the drama.

Bet it's McColgan. Guy was pretty unpopular with teammates in Kelowna last year.

Flickered Flame · 10-08-2012, 10:23 PM

Interesting deal today. The Rebels got down to 3 overagers when they sent captain Adam Kambeitz to the Blades. Its interesting because the move gives the Blades 4 overagers now, one too many. I'm thinking the Blades are about to do some major over hauling of their roster.

Red John · 10-10-2012, 12:28 AM

Blazers acquired Sam Grist from the Ams for a couple draft picks today.

Grist brings nice intensity aggressiveness and big body presence. Always thought he was tough to play against when watching him last year.

But the Blazers needed more mobility, speed and puck moving on the back end, not Grist.

Time will tell.

North East Goon · 10-11-2012, 09:37 AM

If the Blades continue to stink it up, can the league move the Memorial cup to another city?

CMPunk · 10-11-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North East Goon

If the Blades continue to stink it up, can the league move the Memorial cup to another city?

Nope, I'm sure all the hotels have been booked and events planned by now. It's rare that a host sucks this bad, but it happens

Puppet Guy · 10-11-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North East Goon

If the Blades continue to stink it up, can the league move the Memorial cup to another city?

The team can bow out of participating in the Memorial Cup tournament - it happened in 1990 when Hamilton hosted it (Hamilton only won 11 games that season). The two OHL finalists (Oshawa and Kitchener) participated instead.

GreenLantern · 10-11-2012, 01:29 PM

It's sad when our cities greatest franchise is the Sirens...

WHYYYY!!!!

sevenarms · 10-12-2012, 11:22 AM

http://www.hitmenhockey.com/article/...dmonton_128781

A preview of tonight's Hitmen/Oil Kings game which mentions that Victor Rask made the Charlotte Checkers and will not be returning to the Hitmen. That's one huge blow to the team.

Red John · 10-12-2012, 08:30 PM

Keep an eye on JC Lipon.

65 points wasn't enough to get him drafted last year as an 18-year old, but he is on fire right now.

Leading the WHL in points with 14 in just seven games going into tonight.

Just completed a natural hat trick in the first 10 minutes of the game tonight.

Also, the Blazers are 3rd in the CHL rankings this week, including top of the WHL.

They will be in Calgary on Sunday night. If you get a chance to check out the game, do it. Should be a great matchup.

Flickered Flame · 10-12-2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red John

They will be in Calgary on Sunday night. If you get a chance to check out the game, do it. Should be a great matchup.

Not sure what the Blazers schedule is but Sunday's game will be the 3rd game in 3 days for the Hitmen. The joys of junior hockey.

Flickered Flame · 10-12-2012, 11:03 PM

Hitmen beat the Oil Kings for a 3rd straight time this season. Greg Chase is primed for a big year imo.

Freeway · 10-13-2012, 12:22 AM

Anyone else headed to the Dome on Saturday night for the Rebels/Hitmen game?

Red John · 10-13-2012, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Not sure what the Blazers schedule is but Sunday's game will be the 3rd game in 3 days for the Hitmen. The joys of junior hockey.

Blazers have played a lot of hockey lately but do have tomorrow off before the game Sunday. Calgary is actually the first stop of a 5-game Alberta swing.

Expecting at least a loss or two on this trip after a 7-0-1 start.

Speaking of the Hitmen-Dumpsville game, the Sportsnet broadcast was tough to listen to. Blatant homer announcing for Edmonton. Would be upset as a Hitmen fan.

Flickered Flame · 10-13-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red John

Blazers have played a lot of hockey lately but do have tomorrow off before the game Sunday. Calgary is actually the first stop of a 5-game Alberta swing.

Expecting at least a loss or two on this trip after a 7-0-1 start.

Speaking of the Hitmen-Dumpsville game, the Sportsnet broadcast was tough to listen to. Blatant homer announcing for Edmonton. Would be upset as a Hitmen fan.

I pushed mute and turned on the fan, listened to Brad Curle.

Flickered Flame · 10-13-2012, 10:21 PM

The Hitmen beat Red Deer tonight 4-2. Big game tomorrow vs Kamloops.

Red John · 10-14-2012, 05:36 PM

You wish games between two top teams are played mostly 5 on 5, but when two offenses are equally matched, its usually becomes a special teams game.

Kamloops leads Calgary 4-2 after two periods. All six goals on the powerplay so far. JC Lipon continues his tear, three more points to add to his league leading total.

Hopefully the Blazers close the deal. You know the Hitmen will get a few powerplay chances in the third.

Red John · 10-14-2012, 06:53 PM

5-2 final. Make that five PP goals by Kamloops. Four points by Lipon.

Hitmen were pretty undisciplined today.

Flickered Flame · 10-14-2012, 06:56 PM

Hitmen ran out of gas in the 2nd period and took lazy penalties. I've watched a lot of games so far this year and Kamloops might be the best team I've seen. Between, Edmonton-Calgary-Kamloops, I think all 3 need another good scoring forward and a top 4 dman before I could say that team could win it all.

Red John · 10-14-2012, 07:12 PM

Don't count out the Winterhawks either.

The Bozon - Smith - Lipon line is fine but Ranford and Willick still have more to give, Ranford especially who could put up 110 points if he wanted to.

Wish the Blazers didn't use an overage spot on Jordan DePape. He brings a good game but isn't a high ceiling offensive guy like 20 year olds should be. He's injury prone as well. Last year the team only carried two, allowing them to bring over Brandon Herrod at the deadline.

They won't have that luxury this year. But they do need another offensive blueliner for sure.

Oh and keep an eye on Cole Ully. Draft eligible along with Needham.

As for the Hitmen, another forward and d is a must. They didn't create much offensively today or yesterday despite winning that game.

Still waiting to see the brilliance of Virtanen.