Hitmen Report: A quiet week

It was a relatively quiet week for the Calgary Hitmen, as they played twice as they continued their eastern road trip. The week saw the club play well, but their win streak was snapped by a junior hockey juggernaut.

The Hitmen played a pair of games in the rectangular confines of Saskatchewan.

The Hitmen were chasing for much of the game, trailing by 1-0 and 3-1 margins before roaring back to tie the game with 25 seconds left in regulation. Captain Mark Kastelic scored twice, including the overtime winner, while Carson Focht and Egor Zamula also scored. Norwegian forward Kristian Roykas Martinsen, a Washington Capitals prospect, led the Blades with two points. Hitmen netminder Jack McNaughton made 21 saves for the win, while 2019 NHL Draft prospect Nolan Maier had 35 saves for the Blades but took the loss.

Playing against Canada’s top junior outfit, the Hitmen hung with the Raiders for the first period. Then Prince Albert pulled away. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Riley Stotts had two goals for the Hitmen, while Luke Coleman had the other. The Raiders got seven goals from six players – Parker Kelly had a pair – and just rolled four lines all night. They’re scary good and very deep. Leafs prospect Ian Scott made 21 saves for the win for the Raiders, while McNaughton stopped 34 pucks in the loss.

The loss in Prince Albert snapped the Hitmen winning streak at six games.

The Hitmen (21-17-4) begin this week in the second Eastern Conference wildcard playoff spot, six points up on the Brandon Wheat Kings and six points behind Medicine Hat for the first wildcard spot.

They’re back in Alberta for a pair of games this week. They finish off their road trip on Saturday in Edmonton against the Oil Kings, then return home on Sunday for a matinee against the Red Deer Rebels.