Hitmen Report: Wrapping up the Corral Series

The Calgary Hitmen had a week full of ups and downs. They completed a tribute to Calgary’s hockey past and beat Moose Jaw. But they also lost two games and their starting goalie.

The Hitmen made a pair of moves this week. Goalie Brayden Peters called up from Lethbridge (AMHL) due to an injury to Jack McNaughton against Prince Albert.

Rookies Sean Tschigerl and Tyson Galloway were sent back to midget to participate in the Canada Games, replaced by call-ups for Orca Weisblatt and Andrew Viggars (both of whom have WHL experience and will probably help out the team’s depth down the stretch).

In the final Corral Series game, the Hitmen wore Calgary Wranglers jerseys. Unfortunately, the game got away from them early on and then stayed away from them. Potential 2019 NHL Draft prospect Brett Leason crashed into McNaughton midway through the first period and both left the game with injuries. Even without Leason, the Raiders put on a clinic. San Jose Sharks prospect Noah Gregor had a hat trick and Montreal Canadiens prospect Cole Fonstad had four points. James Malm had two points for the Hitmen, including a penalty shot goal in the third period. In his first game action since late November, Carl Stankowski made 32 saves in relief. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ian Scott had 21 saves for the win.

It was a big bounce-back for the Hitmen in a game they led from 76 seconds in. They received goals from Malm, Mark Kastelic, Cael Zimmerman, Riley Stotts, Tye Carriere and Kaden Elder. Stankowski made 20 saves for his first win since Nov. 23, while Moose Jaw’s Brodan Salmond made 33 saves in the loss.

The Hurricanes scored five goals in the first period and coasted the rest of the way. Jake Elmer and Golden Knights prospect Jake Leschyshyn led the way with three points apiece. Stotts and Ryder Korczak scored for Calgary. Stankowski and Peters each allowed three goals, though Peters made 20 saves in relief. Hurricanes starter Carl Tetachuk made 36 saves for the win.

So, uh, Prince Albert is a powerhouse and the Hitmen would be wise to avoid them in the playoffs. That means moving up into the first wildcard spot (or higher). They’re currently tied for that spot with Red Deer, but the Rebels have all the tiebreakers right now. The Hitmen have some breathing room on the Brandon Wheat Kings (who are out of the playoffs), but need to keep banking some points.

This week could be pretty big for the Hitmen. They have a home-and-home with the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday and Saturday – the Tigers are in second place in the Central Division, just seven points up on the Hitmen. Then Calgary starts a road trip on Wednesday in Brandon. Three wins this week would make life a lot easier for the Hitmen. Three losses would make life a lot worse.