2023/24 WHL Season Thread

[Julio]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

i haven't really kept up on the Hitmen for quite some time. they seem like an average team most years, not horrible but not elite, similar to the flames i suppose. How are they looking going forward, do they have some high end picks ready to make the next step to the WHL? it would be nice to see them compete for the WHL title and memorial cup at some point. Thanks

The Hitmen have been stuck in a bit of a rut the last few years. This has resulted in a new GM this year, and a coaching staff that got fired after the season ended. They had the youngest team in the league this year, but it remains to be seen if there is any elite talent from their youngsters.

[dash_pinched]

It's only one game, but PA kicks off the WHL playoffs with a 4-3 upset win over Saskatoon last night.

[Roof-Daddy]

Yeah and Saskatoon was up 2-0 at one point as well.

Hildebrand stole that one, shots were 44-20.

[dash_pinched]

Tigers have seen a 4-0 lead early in period 2 evaporated and the Rebels have forced OT in game 1 of their series.

Edit: We need a 2nd OT period.

Edit 2: Rebels steal game 1 early in the 2nd OT period.

[Roof-Daddy]

Just brutal.

Rebels forecheck is relentless and they give the Tigers zero time or space all over the ice.

Tigers hearing footsteps and giving the puck up non stop. And just stupid giveaways.

Gonna be tough for them to win this series.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Just brutal.

Rebels forecheck is relentless and they give the Tigers zero time or space all over the ice.

Tigers hearing footsteps and giving the puck up non stop. And just stupid giveaways.

Gonna be tough for them to win this series.

I think what we saw last night is a young team that couldn't believe how easy it was to get out to a 4-0 lead and then stopped playing and allowed the opposition to come back and eventually win. Discipline is an issue as it always seems to be with young guys and they need to stay out of the penalty box. It certainly makes game 2 all the more critical for the Tigers if they hope to advance past the Rebels.

[hixxes]

Noah Kosick has committed to the University of Michigan.

Dumb pick by the Hitmen at the time, looks even worse now.

[dash_pinched]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1773920119842075107

[Sylvanfan]

This kid from Medicine Hat named Van Mulligan better be a golfer.

[dash_pinched]

Well, that's a much better effort from the Tigers winning 3-1 tonight. Rebels have to be quite happy with the split considering they have yet to have a lead through two games.

[Roof-Daddy]

Got a little hairy there, Tigers were out shot 18-3 in the 3rd after dominating all game.

Zahara really played well

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Got a little hairy there, Tigers were out shot 18-3 in the 3rd after dominating all game.

Zahara really played well

Yeah, the goal they scored off the rush gave the Rebels some life and they did push quite hard, but I thought the Tigers did a good job limiting the dangerous scoring chances. Zahara was very good and I think you go back to him for game 3.

[dash_pinched]

Tigers tie it late with the goalie pulled to force OT, but fall in OT to the Rebels who take a 2-1 series lead.

[Roof-Daddy]

Lindstrom took warm up but then didn't play. Not a good sign IMO

This young Tigers team is going to have dig really deep to win this series, and they need to quit shooting themselves in the foot with the turnovers and penalties.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Lindstrom took warm up but then didn't play. Not a good sign IMO

This young Tigers team is going to have dig really deep to win this series, and they need to quit shooting themselves in the foot with the turnovers and penalties.

That shorthanded goal the Rebels scored with 0.1 seconds left in the 1st period really turned the game around. The special teams battle is being dominated by Red Deer, their powerplay has been working well along with the aforementioned shorty, the Tigers look all out of sorts on the powerplay.

[Roof-Daddy]

All 8 first round series going tonight, Hurricanes, Royals and Chiefs all on the brink of elimination down 3-0

[dash_pinched]

A lack of discipline costs the Tigers tonight - Hunter St. Martin takes a bad cross-checking penalty with about 90 seconds left and the Rebels score the game winning goal on the powerplay with 0.9 seconds left on the clock. Just a terrible penalty in the neutral zone right by both benches.

[Roof-Daddy]

Such a close series with the Rebels having things fall their way just enough.

Two OT losses and a 1 goal loss with 0.9 seconds left.

Rebels have been clutch and the Tigers have not.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

All 8 first round series going tonight, Hurricanes, Royals and Chiefs all on the brink of elimination down 3-0

The 'Canes were eliminated roughly 30 seconds into 2OT. Connor Geekie scored the winner. Geekie who should be the Broncos top player wasn't very good at all in this game. I noticed him once when the puck hit his junk and then when he took that shot. That shot first glanced off a defender otherwise it was likely to be saved.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Buff

The 'Canes were eliminated roughly 30 seconds into 2OT. Connor Geekie scored the winner. Geekie who should be the Broncos top player wasn't very good at all in this game. I noticed him once when the puck hit his junk and then when he took that shot. That shot first glanced off a defender otherwise it was likely to be saved.

So disappointing to have them down 3-0 and 4-1 only to #### the bed again.

I mean I'm not delusional enough to think they could win that series but I thought the Canes would give them more of a run for their money than yet another 1st round sweep. IIRC that's three years in a row.

I admire Anholt for being able continually ice a competitive team, I believe that's 8 or 9 years straight of making the playoffs, but what's the point if you're going to get swept away like nothing every year?