Hitmen Report: a pre-holidays split with the Canes

The Calgary Hitmen headed into the past week short a few bodies. But playing a pair of games against a division opponent, the Lethbridge Hurricanes, they managed a split as they head into the holiday break.

On Saturday night in Lethbridge, the Hitmen and Hurricanes played a tight-checking 40 minutes of hockey. Then Lethbridge pulled away in the third period, ending with a 3-0 win for the Canes. Lethbridge goalie Carl Tetachuk made 31 saves for the win, while rookie Brayden Peters made 26 stops in the loss.

Back in Calgary on Sunday, the Hitmen were much sharper at burying their offensive chances. They got out to a 3-0 lead after the first period and then were able to roll from there to a 5-2 win. Riley Fiddler-Schultz scored twice, while Carson Focht, Riley Stotts and Josh Prokop also added goals. Jack McNaughton needed just 15 saves to get the win.

In both games, the Hitmen played with just 17 skaters (11 forwards and six defenders) due to absences and injuries. Notably, Egor Zamula and Jonas Peterek were off at World Junior camps, while Mark Kastelic, Cael Zimmerman and Hunter Campbell were nursing injuries.

The Hitmen are off until Dec. 27. They return from the holidays for four games in six days and seven games in 10 days.

The Hitmen will have some representation at the 2020 CHL Top Prospects game. Defender Luke Prokop will take part, replacing injured Moose Jaw Warriors defender Daemon Hunt.

He’s not a huge offensive beast or anything, but he’s probably Calgary’s most reliable defensive defender. If nothing else, his inclusion indicates NHL interest in him for the upcoming 2020 NHL Draft.