Hitmen open preseason

The Calgary Hitmen have trimmed their roster down to 32 players and will open up the preseason Wednesday night in Airdrie against the much hated Red Deer Rebels.


There are battles going on at every position with a handful of returning players in the mix; a group that includes second year defencemen Peter Kosterman and Jaynen Rissling.

Both of these 2009 Bantam draft picks were not even expected to make the squad last season but surprised even themselves when they were suiting up for the Hitmen last year.

"I never thought I had a chance of making the Hitmen last year," Rissling said as he reflected upon last year’s training camp.

Rissling managed to suit up in 36 regular season games, tallying eight assists along the way. He also dressed for nine post-season affairs where he was fortunate enough to score his first ever WHL goal.

"Even when I was a healthy scratch, I felt I was learning", said Rissling who turns 17 this month. “Watching from the stands, I could see what the older guys were doing, how they play the game and try to adapt to how they do it."

With the departures of Michael Stone and Giffen Nyren to the paid ranks, Rissling and Kosterman will be counted on to play bigger roles for the Hitmen.

"We'll expect a lot more from them,” Assistant Coach Brent Kisio said. “They'll probably have to log some more minutes.”

While veterans Ben Stone, Matt MacKenzie and Zak Stebner will be leaned on for a majority of the hard labour this winter, you can bet that both Rissling and Kosterman will play a very important support role on the back end.

With these five guys along with 19 year old returnee Kyle Aschim, the Hitmen should ice one the deepest and well rounded blue lines in the WHL.

Wednesday night’s game goes at 7pm at Ron Ebbesen Arena in Airdrie. Tickets are available at 5pm at the doors.

The 2010-11 Calgary Hitmen train is officially rolling!

Derrick Newman
twitter.com/whlhitmen
twitter.com/TSRNewman

Hitmen revving up for a repeat

Matt MacKenzie

So what do you do for encore when you have a season like the Hitmen just had?
After winning 52 games in the regular season and then running over the competition in the post-season en route to a WHL Championship, the Hitmen are faced with a daunting task.

With possibly 13 players returning from last year’s championship team, there will definitely be some new faces in the dressing room this time around.

With the likes of Brandon Kozun, Michael Stone, Joel Broda, Martin Jones and possibly Ian Schultz moving on into the professional ranks, that leaves some mighty big shoes to fill on a roster in need of some new leadership.

Leading the way should be defence partners Matt MacKenzie and Zak Stebner who will be counted on to be the leaders on blue line; continuing there progress from late last season where there became the shutdown pairing in charge of stopping the opposition’s best players. Stebner is one of six other 20 year olds vying for three spots on this team (Every WHL team can have three 20-year olds). My bet is that you see Stebner back with the Hitmen and being a big part of the Calgary’s success this season.

Up front, look for Cody Sylvester to parlay his playoff success into regular season riches as he will emerge as one the top goal scorers on this team. His 11 goals in the playoffs not only eclipsed his total of 10 in the regular season, but he was counted on in key situations by Head Coach Mike Williamson when the Hitmen were in need of a boost.

In goal, it will be Michael Snider’s job to lose. Snider backed up All Star Martin Jones all of last season. Snider did not disappoint when he was called upon last season going 16-5-2 with a GAA of 2.52 and very modest save percentage of .902. Snider will be given every opportunity to succeed in Calgary and I think he will flourish as the new ‘man’ between the pipes.

The Hitmen will definitely have a new look this season, but don’t expect that winning mentality to waver and expect to see the Masked Men contending for yet another Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Hitmen Nyren in Flames prospect camp

Calgary Hitmen defenceman Giffen Nyren does not belong to any National Hockey League team; not yet at least.

After being invited to the Minnesota Wild camp last summer, he finds himself in a familiar place in the summer of 2010; on Saddledome ice. The only difference is that he is wearing the flaming ‘C’ on his chest and not the menacing emblem of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen.

Nyren clearly turned some heads in Calgary during the Hitmen playoff run as he was granted the invite by the Flames soon after the WHL Champions returned home from the Memorial Cup.

He became one of the Hitmen’s most dangerous weapons from the blue line as he potted 5 goals and added 13 assists during Championship run. He was also a plus 15 during the post-season; 2nd in the league only to Captain Michael Stone.

At 6’1” and 195 lbs, Nyren plays a similar game to that of another fellow Calgarian; Norris Trophy nominee Mike Green. Nyren loves to lead the rush and create plays with his feet, much like Green does with the Washington Capitals. Nyren loves to have the puck on his stick during the power play, much like Green who quarterbacks one of the most lethal units in NHL.

So if Nyren is so good, then why did he get passed up in two straight NHL entry drafts?

Well, when Nyren broke into the junior ranks with the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Warrior brass thought it wise to try Nyren out as a forward, and then moved him back to defence, then back to forward, and around and around the carousel went.

Nyren never had a chance to plant his roots in one position, which presumably stunted his growth as a player. This past year when he was given the increase in ice time by the Hitmen coaching staff, he proved that he can be a very effective offensive defenceman, and quite often a game-changer.

He was awarded the WHL Boston Pizza Player of the Week during the final week of the playoffs when the Hitmen beat the Tri-City Americans 4 games to 1 to win the Ed Chynoweth Cup; proving to be a key cog in the Championship victory.

He has been knocked in the past by some for having some defensive deficiencies and making the odd blunder; well his plus/minus rating in the playoffs might help silence some of those critics.

In the end, the Flames may have just found a diamond in the rough in their own backyard. Look for Giffen Nyren on the ice this week wearing the number 40 jersey.

twitter.com/NewmansFlames

Hitmen players prepare for next step

A slew of players from the 2009-10 Calgary Hitmen are going through various stages of NHL prospect camps during the month of July. Despite the heat outside, these young hopefuls are putting their skill on display for scouting and coaching staffs across the league.

Jimmy Bubnick (Atlanta), Joel Broda and Kris Foucault (Minnesota), Martin Jones and Brandon Kozun (Los Angeles), Ian Schultz (Montreal), Tyler Shattock and Cody Beach (St. Louis), Michael Stone (Phoenix), Giffen Nyren (Calgary) and Matt MacKenzie (Buffalo) are all on the ice at NHL prospect camps.

This is an impressive list of players from a single junior team to be competing for NHL jobs. This speaks to the amazing depth of the Calgary Hitmen and the great job that has been done by Kelly Kisio and his staff. With this many players either drafted or signed by NHL teams, it does not surprise anyone that the Hitmen were one of the top teams in the country this past season.

Although none of these players look like locks to make their pro clubs this fall, certain players have shown that they have the ability to push their game to another level, as was evident in the spring playoff run.

2009-10 Hitmen Co-Captains Michael Stone and Ian Schultz both have decent shots at making their respective NHL clubs in the fall. Schultz, who was traded alongside prospect Lars Eller in mid-June from the St. Louis Blues to the Canadiens for playoff hero Jaroslav Halak, was one the best penalty killers this past season and showed true grit and leadership qualities in the leading the Hitmen to the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Schultz is one of those all around players that most teams dream of having. He put together a season that included 24 goals, 31 assists and 150 penalty minutes. He was leaned on time and time again by Hitmen Head Coach Mike Williamson to kill off key penalties. The Habs have never been a team known for its rough play, and he would give them that grit they may have been missing in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Stone, who was drafted in the 3rd round by the Coyotes in 2008, looks bound for the professional ranks; whether it is with Phoenix or their AHL affiliate in San Antonio. Stone was 2nd on the team in playoff scoring with 5 goals and 15 assists in 20 games. He preceded that by compiling 65 points, 21 goals and 44 assists, in the regular season.
He has the rare ability to quarterback a power play which becomes vital in a league where scoring with the man-advantage can make or break a season (just ask the Calgary Flames). With his blistering point shot, smooth skating ability, and built-in leadership qualities, it will not be long before Stone is wearing the Desert Dogs sweater permanently.

Both Stone and Schultz will most likely not be back in Calgary this fall, as both players display qualities that can make them NHL players.

Matt Mackenzie gets drafted by Sabres

Hitmen defenceman Matt Mackenzie was drafted 83rd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

Mackenzie will likely be back on the blue line next fall for the Hitmen as he will be leaned upon much more with the departure of Co-Captain Michael Stone.

Mackenzie joins a long list of Hitmen to be drafted into the NHL.

I caught up with Mackenzie back in February. Click Here to read the article and see how what his thoughts were leading up to the draft.

Memorial Cup Format

The Windsor Spitfires won their second straight Memorial Cup on Sunday night beating the host Brandon Wheat Kings by a score of 9-1 in the final; a real barn burner of an affair.

The Wheat Kings qualified for the final by beating the WHL Champion Calgary Hitmen in an overtime thriller. The Wheat Kings qualified for the tournament by having the right address.

The lopsided final along with Hitmen loss only further fuels the debate about the format of the Memorial Cup Tournament. The Hitmen won the WHL Championship and the Ed Chynoweth Cup back in early May. They beat Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Brandon and Tri City in best of seven series.

Yet they lose a single game to the host team and it costs them a chance to compete for the biggest prize in junior hockey.

Should the format be altered? Should the host team be allowed to play in the tournament despite not winning anything prior to the tournament? Is this a fair assessment of who the best team is?

No other major sports league has such a weird format.

For instance, to be a little dramatic, the Miami Dolphins don’t get to play in the Super Bowl every year just because the game is being played in the city? Nor do the Toronto Argonauts get a free pass to the Grey Cup just because it is being played in the Rogers Center.

If the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) really wants to find out who the best junior hockey team is, they should have all the champions play in a tournament, and that is it.

From 1972 through to 1982, that is how things were done. However, in 1983 they switched the format to include a pre-determined fourth team; the host city.

A way to possibly attract more fans the stadium, most likely. More fans results in more revenue for the league. It was an easy solution; however it diminishes the merit of the tournament.

This should be a tournament to decide the absolute best junior team, and therefore the teams involved should all of have won their respective leagues; every team, not three of four.

Let’s us rewind back to 2007 when the Vancouver Giants won the Memorial Cup, as the host city, beating the Medicine Hat Tigers, the WHL Champion, 3-1 in the championship game. Vancouver lost the Ed Chynoweth Cup to the Tigers in seven games in the WHL playoffs.

Is it fair to call Vancouver the ‘best’ team in junior hockey in 2007 because they beat Medicine Hat in a single game, yet Medicine Hat bested the Giants over a gruelling seven game series?

I do not think so.

The same could be said for this year when Brandon beat Calgary in the semi final game. The Hitmen beat Brandon in five games, albeit close affairs for the most part, in the Eastern Conference Final. Calgary then demolished the Wheaties 5-1 in the final round robin game of the Memorial Cup. This all led to a Jay Fehr overtime winner that sent Brandon to the Memorial cup Final, and sent Calgary on plane back home.

I am not saying that Brandon is not a good hockey team, but do they deserve to be in a tournament that should be a ‘tournament of champions’ when they are not really the champions of anything.

I think the format of this tournament should be reviewed, and if it does not change, which is probably will not, the credibility of the competition weakens dramatically.

Hitmen bow out of Memorial Cup

The Hitmen lost 5-4 in overtime to the host city Brandon Wheat Kings to officially end their chances at winning the Memorial Cup. Despite not winning the Memorial Cup, the Hitmen should still hold their heads high as they took this city on a fantastic ride.

Congratulations on the season boys! You did this city proud!

GO HITMEN GO!

Hitmen fall to Spitfires

The Hitmen lost their first game at the 2010 Memorial Cup tonight to the Windsor Spitfires.

The loss means Calgary does not clinch a spot in the final and must play either Brandon or Moncton to punch their ticket to the final.

Here are some post game comments from both teams.

Hitmen win Ed Chynoweth Cup!

Hit of the Game

Zak Stebner lays out Americans assistant captain Kruise Reddick right beside the Hitmen bench.

Save of the Game

Martin Jones makes a blocker save on the Amerks Patrick Holland with 7 minutes left in 1st to keep the game tied at 1-1.

Post Game Commentary

Martin Jones - MVP of WHL Final

"We didn’t want it to be easy. We wanted them to push hard and for it to be a battle. It’s just an awesome feeling now, knowing that we beat them at their best."

"We’re just so excited right now. We are going to soak this in for a couple of days then back to work."

Ian Schultz - Hitmen Co-Captain

"It hasn’t really sunk in yet, I can’t even put it into words. It really makes us feel like Calgary’s team right now and it’s awesome."

"We were not going to be denied tonight. We said leave it all on the table, there is nothing to save it for. My hat goes off to every single person on this team. We worked as hard as we could for a full sixty minutes. We never gave up and we got rewarded for it."

"To have this many people behind us, it makes it feel like we are really Calgary’s team. My hat goes off to them. For them to come and support us like this, it’s awesome."

Down 3-1 to MJ

"Yeah that was a bit of a wake up call, that first series, we didn’t want to get behind the 8-ball like that but good teams find ways to win, that’s what we did."

"We can still be a little bit sharper, but we are happy with the success so far."

Talk about Martin Jones

"Outstanding, he has been doing it all year, so it’s not too much of a surprise but my hat goes off the kid, he some how makes saves that nobody else in this league can make."

Zak Stebner - Hitmen defenceman

"It’s simply unbelievable."

What was going through your mind the last five minutes?

"I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, I don’t know if anyone noticed out there but I was smiling for the last 5 minutes of the game. It’s just an amazing feeling."

How about winning on home ice?

"It’s unbelievable. Something just didn’t feel right about last game. I was talking to Captain Ian Schultz, it just didn’t feel right. We knew this morning and then coming out to pre-game skate that tonight was the night and we proved it."

Thinking about the Memorial Cup?

"I’m so excited to play against high calibre teams. It is going to be good test for our team."

Matt MacKenzie - Hitmen defenceman

"It’s great. Last year it was pretty devastating, we were on the opposite end. This is definitely a lot nicer."

"It’s great. We had a few big penalty kills, which everybody was laying their bodies on the line. I think right after those, we just knew it was going to happen. Everyone was just in a groove."

About Jones

"He’s been great. After that Moose Jaw series, that was kind of a wake up call for everyone and after that he was pretty much unbeatable on most nights. It’s pretty easy playing in front of him."

Memorial Cup?

"I’ve been kind of thinking about it a little bit, but on game days you got to focus on this. I think the next couple of days I’ll be thinking about it more."

Michael Stone - Hitmen Co-Captain

"It’s nice to finally get it for them. We had that disappointment last year and it’s nice to fix it, I guess you could say."

"We knew they were going to come. Obviously they were fighting for their lives.
They really pushed at the start. We weren’t going to take no for an answer here tonight."

"The two goals were on two good screens where I picked the right spot and I connected with the puck really well."

"It’s a great feeling. It’s nice to see. The disappointment from last year was really hurting me throughout the year. It’s nice to do it not only for the boys here now, but for the boys that missed out on the chance last year. I think they feel like they’re a little bit a part of it as well.
We’ve still got one more thing to win."

Talk about the fans

"It’s amazing. We knew they were going to come out. We didn’t know how many, but we knew they were going to come out and support us no matter how many there were. It’s really nice to see the amount."

Giffen Nyren - Hitmen defenceman

"This is our night. We knew it. We didn’t want to go back to Tri-Cities. Everyone was focused coming to the rink and we knew what we had to do."

"A lot of my friends and family are here. I’ll always remember this moment for the rest of my life. That’s amazing."

"We’ll enjoy this for a couple days and prepare for the bigger one."

Kris Foucault - Hitmen forward

"Eleven years ago I was standing in this spot exactly today, except I was somewhere out there, so it’s very exciting to be down on the ice doing the same thing."

"We did exactly what they did. They went down 3-1 and came back. History’s repeating itself and it feels great."

"It’s definitely exciting. To be on the winning side of this on the ice, it’s actually unbelievable.
It’s exciting either way. This is what we work for."

"The Memorial Cup’s a big thing, but we’ve got to enjoy this right now because this is a huge trophy to win."

Brandon Kozun - Hitmen leading scorer

"It’s a great feeling. It’s unlike anything I’ve experience so far. I’m pretty happy right now. I’m going to savour this moment."

How are you?

"Perfectly fine. I could skate right now if I wanted to. It was mostly precautionary reasons. I’ll be alright."

There’s nothing that’s going to stop you?

"Absolutely not."

Fans?

"Unbelievable. It says a lot about this city, the amount of people that came out to support us. It’s awesome, really awesome."

Mike Williamson - Hitmen Head Coach

"Jonesy was incredible, the guys on the kill did a great job. I think Jonesy played like he expects and that’s why he’s there. He sets a high standard. I think our team has embraced and set a high standard. We’re just very ecstatic to get the opportunity to go to Brandon."

"All of our guys will enjoy this. They’ll already be thinking about how important it is to live in the moment right now, but start to prepare and focus mentally. We’re going to have to be better yet and I think we will be."

"So many guys stepped up. Obviously Jonesy had to weather the storm for us. We were on our heels at times and he was incredible. We got some big, big efforts out of guys that maybe haven’t seen the ice on a regular basis – blocked shots, guys sacrificing. It’s unbelievable."

About Stone

"Any time he gets the chance to shoot the puck, we want him to shoot it. He’s done it all year."

"Any time you have a chance to win the league, it’s a special feeling for the whole group. Obviously with me not coaching the last two years, to come in and get the opportunity was the biggest thing. I owe so much to the Flames and Hitmen for allowing that to happen. The players, it’s just incredible that this group has."

Jim Hiller - Tri City Head Coach

"Not a lot of people thought much of our team early, certainly in the pre-season polls and then we stumbled a little bit at the end. I think people wrote us off going into the playoffs particularly based on the size of our team. I thought we showed tremendous character and will through the playoffs."

"I don’t think we got a lot of bounces in this series. Calgary’s an excellent team. They made us pay when we made our mistakes."

"I thought that was probably our best period of the series and maybe our best game of the series. I didn’t think they had a lot of good chances. They did a really good job this series of finishing when they had chances."

"It certainly is a great achievement. It’s not where we wanted to end up. Based on the age of our team, we’ve got a lot of good things to look forward to and a lot of people with something to prove again next year."

Tri City staves off elimination

Despite being out shot 42-30 by the Calgary Hitmen, the Ti City Americans managed to win game 4 by a score of 4-2.

This sets up a game 5 back in Calgary on Friday night. You do not want to miss this game!

Hitmen take commanding 3-0 series lead

Saves of the Game

Early in the first, Martin Jones made key stops while the Americans were out working the Hitmen. These stops proved crucial as the Hitmen bounced back and grabbed a 3-0 lead after the first period.

Move of the Game

Jimmy Bubnick dangles around Ams defenceman Brock Sutherland to set up Kris Foucault for the ice breaker and his 9th of the post-season. Sutherland is still trying to find out where Jimmy went.


Post-Game Comments

Martin Jones - 29 saves in the win

"We knew they were going to be in desperation mode."

On a sweet pad save

"It was a broken play and I was fortunate enough to get a piece of it."

Amerks in same situation as Hitmen were last year

"We don't want to give a team like that any momentum. They are too dangerous and will run with anything we give them."

Jim Hiller - Americans Head Coach

"We have to get to the net. Guys are frustrated. We have to try and relax."

Hitmen take 2-0 series lead

Here are some quotes from the post-game news conference

Mike Williamson - Hitmen Head Coach

"It was a close game. I thought that we got timely goals and timely saves."

"Tri-City definitely had another level tonight I thought. They won a lot of races to pucks and battles on the boards early in the game especially."

"I think we played well in stretches and better as the game went on. Early on we weren’t as sharp as we needed to be and a lot of that was with the game Tri-City had. We’re happy with where we’re at. We know how good Tri-City is in their own rink. We’re going to have to be that much stronger, that much better going into Tri-City."

"We’ll talk about it. There’s things we have to improve on, there’s always adjustments to make and adjustments to counter that they’re making. We just have to have a businesslike approach and we will."

Peter Kosterman - Hitmen defenceman

How did you find out you were playing?

"I got a text a couple of hours before I headed off to the rink. I think it was sent sooner, but I got it at like one o’clock."

About going into Tri City

"These guys are really good at home, that’s what we have heard. We’ve just got to make sure that we keep to the game plan.”

Giffen Nyren - Hitmen defenceman

About assist on the first goal

"It was huge. I was coming back on a backcheck and it just came back out there, so I turned around and Broda was in the slot. There’s no other guy I’d rather put the puck on his stick than that guy. His shot’s phenomenal."

"Once we got that first goal, our feet started moving a lot more and our team really buckled down and tried (to allow) no turnovers."

Ian Schultz - Hitmen Co-Captain

About a better effort by Americans

"We kind of expected that. They brought it to another level and I think we kind of matched it at the start and then kind of got off our game a little bit."

About the team's penalty killing

"Everybody’s really sacrificing their body right now."

Jim Hiller - Tri-City Head Coach

“The score was closer, obviously. I don’t know for sure, but I thought maybe in last night’s game the play was more even. I thought Calgary had more pressure in our zone tonight than they did last night despite the score.”

“We usually start quick and score the first goal and that, obviously, hasn’t been the case here two nights in a row. We have a break down and again a key goal by them on a turnover. I thought up until that point we were playing pretty well (but) we kind of shot ourselves in the foot and got the building into the game and us on our heels.”

Johnny Lazo - Tri-City goal scoer

Talk about your goal

“I found some time in the slot and just kind of faked and put it upstairs.”

About Hitmen goalie Martin Jones

“He (Jones) is definitely a bigger guy. He’s got the good size, he’s quick. He was on Team Canada for a reason. He’s a phenomenal goaltender. We’ve just got to get more pucks on net and more traffic than we have been.”

Hitmen dominate Americans in Game 1

Hitmen win 7-0 in Game 1 to take a 1-0 series lead in the WHL Final. Here are some post game comments from both dressing rooms.

Misha Fisenko - Hitmen forward

Talking about his second goal, a tap in on a feed from Cowan

"I was a little bit lucky. The defence was pretty slow.You just forget this game and think about tomorrow’s game. We’ll make sure that we’ll be ready for tomorrow. The key is the first 10 minutes of the game. We have to play all 60 minutes tomorrow."

Mike Williamson -Hitmen Head Coach

"I thought it was a lot closer game, especially early on, than the score indicated. Both teams had that feeling out period that’s pretty typical when you don’t see each other much."

"Fortunately we were able to score on the chances that we did generate and that was the difference."

"In the second period we were quite sloppy and very fortunate to get out the way we did. I think we only had three or four shots for the first 10 or 15 minutes.The third period we buckled down and played a lot more sound."

"I thought we got a little more jump after that. The first four or five minutes, the first few shifts, I thought both teams were a little bit tentative. Once Cody got that goal we seemed to have a little bit more jump."

"We’ve got a veteran team that takes control in the locker room and knows the feeling and the atmosphere that needs to be in there at the start of games for us to have the right approach. The guys will make sure we have the right mental approach tomorrow."

Matt MacKenzie - Hitmen defenceman

"We don’t know too much about them. The first few minutes was about feeling them out.I think the last series against Brandon, I didn’t have the greatest first game against Brandon. That’s what I focused on all week in practice is just getting that early jump in the first."

Martin Jones - Hitmen goalie

"They only had 26 shots. For the most part, we kept them to bad angles and I was able to see a lot of pucks. From that aspect we did a real good job. Not having turnovers at either blueline was big for us because they’re such a fast team and good off the rush. That was a big turning point for us."

Jim Hiller -Tri-City Head Coach

"From there, I thought we had some shots, but we really didn’t generate that much offensively. That’s not typically our style. Give Calgary credit, they finished their chances. Most loose pucks, they came out with them. If there was a difference in the game, I thought that was it. "

Jarrett Toll - Tri-City captain

"We started out slow and got down 3-0. We didn’t have enough guys answer the bell after that. The good thing is that we get to play tomorrow and we’re not a team that’s going to quit. If anything, the 7-0 (loss) was a big wake up call for a lot of guys that are here and we are in the final, we’re not satisfied with winning the Western Conference. It’s about as big of a wake-up call as you can get."

Hitmen and Americans prepare for Final

A day before the two teams hit the ice for Game 1 of the 2010 WHL Final, both sides had a lot to say regarding the upcoming series.

Mike Williamson - Hitmen Head Coach

"We have a lot of players on our team that had the opportunity to get to the finals last year. Those members of the team and those of us that weren’t there realize what a special opportunity this is to have a second chance to work our way to this opportunity that we have now.This is a second opportunity for those guys to be able to come back and maybe make amends and have an opportunity to go forward. It’s a special thing."

Any injuries?

"For playing as many games as we have in the last months since playoffs started, we’ve got a few bumps and bruises but nothing major. Our guys are excited to play."

Preperation?

"Mentally to have a few days to prepare and get away and check out and take care of those bumps and bruises and get that excitement going. It was good to have those days off and now our guys are ready."

What do you build on?

"The last game we played was our best to date by far. It was the best start we’ve had, the most we’ve been able to sustain momentum and play start to finish. That’s the type of effort we’re going to need to start this series and we’re going to have to continue to get better."

What have you told the team?

"We just have to preach on the importance. Tri-City is a team that prides itself on strong starts. They’re a momentum team that seems to really feed off of positive things that go their way. Any time you start the game, start periods or they get a goal, that next shift has to be your absolute best or they’re going to build on that."

"It’s nice that both conference champions have made it this far and the winner gets to move on and represent the Western Hockey League in Brandon."

Jim Hiller - Americans Head Coach

Any secrets between the two teams?

"There’s not a lot of secrets anymore with the players and how interconnected they are. With the internet games we’ve watched Calgary play a fair amount here especially over the last 10 days or so. We know what they do and they likely know what we do. The secrets are few and far between. Once you get into a couple periods, you get a real good sense of what’s going on.There’s so much on the line that that rivalry will be created probably on the first shift."

Underdogs?

"You know what, I don’t. I have a lot of confidence and belief in our team and that’s what’s carried us this far. If you look up and down, we don’t have the star players if that’s what you want to call it, but we’re very well balanced. We’ve got a lot of players really trying to get that leg up and try to really elevate their standings with the World Juniors among NHL scouts and all those kind of things. I think we’re well balanced and we don’t feel at all intimidated.We were able to go into some real tough buildings like in Kelowna and win on the road. Just recently, to be able to beat the Vancouver Giants three times in four nights, twice in their building, I think speaks a lot about our players and the courage and the character and being able to go out and play just as hard on the road as at home."

Martin Jones - Hitmen goalie

"It just speaks volumes about our organization and the foundation that Kelly’s built here. We had such a good leadership core last year and that really carried over this year with the guys returning. It’s just a good program here and we’re proud to be back."

Brandon Kozun - Hitmen forward, leads WHL playoffs in points

Gameplan

"At the end of the day you’ve got to make sure you play your game. We know they’re going to be good, so we’ve got to make sure we come out, play our game and hope it goes well."

How are you feeling?

"I feel pretty good right now. I’ve just got to make sure I keep working hard. I have that confidence in myself. I think sometimes I’ll get a little bit frustrated sometimes, but when I stick to it and I’m out there having fun, I think that’s when I’m at my best."

How does back-t0-back finals feel?

"It’s a huge honour to be back in the finals and I think it speaks volumes about our organization and what Kelly Kisio has done here as well as Mike Williamson and our team and what we’ve done. You’re going to see two pretty good, dynamic teams that are going to be playing this series. It’s going to be a fun one for the fans to watch. It should be very entertaining."

Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City forward and leading scorer


Talk about the team

"We’ve got a good group of forwards, young forwards that all contribute to our scoring. It’s good that if one guy or two guys are off on a night that we have those guys that’ll back us up and we get it done by committee. That’s always great to have."

"At the beginning of the year I think we were rated seventh in the west and we knew we were a lot better than that coming into the season and we set our goals to get here and we knew we had a really good shot at getting here. I don’t think we’re surprised at all. We knew we had the team to get here and it’s panned out that way. It’s been a great ride and a great journey and we expected to be here."

What's the goal?

"We’re here to win a WHL championship and hopefully make it on to the Memorial Cup."

"I think we just have a well-balanced team and we’ve got a lot of guys that have a lot of heart. We don’t have high draft picks or high-end guys. We just have a lot of guys that want to prove themselves and make a name for themselves, so each night we’re coming out and giving our best every night and that’s I think what got us here."

How do you assess losing 3-0 to Hitmen in Calgary in regular season

"We haven’t seen them much besides that so we’ll have to look at some video and scouting reports to see what we need to do to play against these guys. We’ve done some of that, so we’re ready and we’re excited to get the game going tomorrow."

How are the nerves?

"Obviously there’s going to be some nerves. This is the WHL final and we’re playing it in front of a huge crowd here and we want to do well. I think after the first 10 minutes, the first period we’re going to get those nerves out and start playing our game."

Drew Owsley - Tri-City goalie

Talk about getting to this point

"It’s hard to get here. It’s been a long year, a grind, but I think we’ve paid our dues and we’ve worked really hard. We’re excited to be here."

Do you feel a lot of pressure being put on your shoulders to carry this team?

"I don’t want to put that much pressure on myself, but obviously goaltending’s a big part of the playoffs so I know I’ve got to play good, but I don’t want to put that much pressure on myself. I’m a bit of a smaller goalie, so I’ve got to play a bit of a different style of game. I’ve got to come out and challenge the shooters and use my reactions a little bit more than say a bitter goalie. I’m just trying to give my team a chance to win out there and talk to my d-men and make it easier on them."

How is the team feeling?

"Obviously we’re pretty excited to be here. This is what you play all year for.We’re looking forward to an entertaining and competitive series. We’re just excited to get it going tomorrow."

Hitmen reach WHL Final for 2nd consecutive year

Jaynen Rissling - one goal, two assists

1st WHL goal

"My first reaction was it was about time. Playoff or regular season, I think I’ll take anything. Being that it was in playoffs, it was kind of a tight game and just kind of made the momentum shift our way even more."

Talk about winning the Eastern Conference title

"I can’t describe it. It’s amazing in your first year to come in just learning stuff. This is just a bonus. Hopefully we can keep on going and make it to the Mem Cup."

Martin Jones - 20 saves in victory

"That was probably the first time all series where we really put our foot down for 60 minutes. We got some bounces tonight and we were able to close it out. It was nice. As a team throughout the series we played better defensively and limited their odd-man rushes and chances. It’s easy for me when we play like that and we just got to make sure we keep building as we move forward here. For whatever reason, we always seem to not give up too many shots at home, which is nice. Guys are giving up their bodies and laying down. There was a couple chances there in the second and I was able to make some saves. Those are momentum turning points in the game. It was nice to get those today."

Brandon Kozun - two goals

About losing the final in six games to Kelowna Rockets last season

"That experience is definitely going to help us in the finals. It’s definitely left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth. We want to come out and hopefully get some momentum."

About Rissling

"He played awesome. You’ve got to give him credit. A young kid stepping up for us, you need that in playoffs."

About Jones

"What can you say about Jonesy, he’s been doing it all year. I think he’s the best goalie in the league and obviously he’s proven it."

Mike Williamson - Hitmen Head Coach

"I was really happy with our preparation. Our guys came to the rink this morning and were very focused. They were sharp. It was one of the better skates we’ve had in the last few weeks and I think that carried over to the game. Both teams had talked about 60 minutes together and needing to do that and I thought that was the closest we came."

Top players being top players

"Jonesy was exceptional from the start of the series right through the end. It was great to see Kozy and Jones step up."

Kelly McCrimmon - Brandon GM/Head Coach

"I thought that through the first four games that we really had momentum at a lot of times and were never deterred. I thought tonight, we didn’t play well enough once we fell behind."

Talk about the penalties your team took

"It was out of character. We’ve been the most-disciplined team in the Western Hockey League for three consecutive years. It certainly added to our problems."

Hitmen inch closer to WHL Final

With back-to-back wins in Brandon, the Hitmen head home looking to close out the series on Friday night in the friendly confines of the 'Dome.

For tickets to the game five CLICK HERE!

GO HITMEN GO!

Hitmen win Game 3!

Despite a short-handed natural hat trick by Brandon's Matt Calvert, the Hitmen were able to come away with a game 3 victory to take a 2-1 series lead.

Game 4 goes tonight in Brandon.

Hitmen win Game 2 in OT!

Mike Williamson - Hitmen Head Coach

"I thought we had a really good start to tonight’s hockey game. Unlike last night, we got going right away. We got away from our game a little bit in the second period, but it was anybody’s game and we found a way to get it. The second period, we got away from doing things. Our D got trapped on the ice because our forwards didn’t get pucks in deep. We had a lot of turnovers up high in their zone. They’ve got such a strong transition game and guys that can dip and dive; they were able to do that quite a bit. Some of it was them stepping on the gas, a lot of it I thought was just our puck management. We’ve got to be a lot smarter than them. It takes four to win. Obviously 1-1’s better than (being down) 2-0."

Talk about the effort of Ian Schultz

"He was more physical than he’s been and he took care of the puck a little better and was around the net. That was something I think we needed from Ian. He was good for us tonight. When he’s on his game, that’s the way he needs to play."

Brayden Schenn - Wheat Kings leading scorer

"When’s the last time you’ve seen two calls in the conference finals in overtime? It’ll make us a better hockey team and we’ll bounce back from it. We came here for the split and that’s what we got. We’ve got three days of rest. We’ll use that to our advantage."

Martin Jones - Hitmen goaltender

"That’s kind of been our Achilles heel. We haven’t quite played 60 minutes. Against a good team like Brandon, with all the firepower that they have, that’s going to hurt us."

About the 2-man advantage in OT

"That’s obviously a big time in the game for us. We had to make sure that we capitalized, because that’s a big momentum swing for them if they kill that off. That was a huge turning point for us in the game."

About going to Brandon

"Obviously it’s a tough building. I don’t think we have to change too much. We’ve got to remember that we’re ready right for the buzzer and play 60 minutes, because they can hurt you pretty quickly in that barn."

Ian Schultz - scored winning goal

"We put it in Kozy’s hands like we usually do. The kid’s got wheels. He went in wide there and kind of established our 5-on-3. Nyren got a good shot from the point there and I got a good screen on it."

About taking high stick in OT

"I think I took about 60 of those this season, so I was well prepared for the playoffs. That one didn’t feel too good."

About the good start

"We wanted to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders and we did exactly that. We kind of wanted to pick up where we left off and I think we did exactly that."

About playing well in front of home fans

"It was huge. Hopefully that keeps them coming back. We’ve got Game 5 for sure now. Hopefully it’s a sold-out barn. It’s great to have the whole city behind us."

Kelly McCrimmon - Brandon GM and Head Coach

Talk about the penalties in overtime

"I thought that the calls were poor calls. Tyler Shattock is a quote-unquote power forward. He’s been hitting guys from behind the entire series. He gets hit in the numbers once and he explodes into the boards and was good enough to trick the officials.It’s two good teams. It’s going to be a close series. We knew that before we started."

Hitmen fall in Game 1

Hit of the Game

Giffen Nyren is sandwiched between Wheat Kings forwards Shayne Wiebe and Brayden Schenn, but Nyren gets the best of it as both Wheat Kings fall to the ice.


Save of the Game

Wheat Kings goaltender Jacob Deserres, a Calgary native, made multiple saves in a row mid way through the third to maintain the lead. First, a glove save robbery on Tyler Shattock and then a timely right pad on Jimmy Bubnick


Post-Game Commentary

Mike Williamson - Hitmen Head Coach

"They’ve got a good transition game, but I thought through 40 minutes we stood around and watched a lot. Tonight we seemed to sit back and maybe respect them too much. We have respect for Brandon, they’re a great hockey team, but in that sense we talked about making sure you’re more prepared, more ready to come hard instead of standing and watching. We stood around and watched a lot tonight."

"We just need a better effort tomorrow.I told the team after if I thought we gave everything we did tonight and we were at our best and still fell short, then you start scratching your head."

Jimmy Bubnick - Hitmen forward

"You can’t dwell on the negatives and we’ve got to jump back and battle again tomorrow. We had a solid third period, a lot of chances at the end. We’ve just got to get traffic and get shots on net."

Travis Hamonic - one goal, one assist for Brandon

"Throughout the game we definitely just pushed and we kept pushing and pushing. Whenever you’re this far into a playoff push and the games are getting as big and as physical and as demanding as they are, it’s obviously going to be a big push from both teams. They showed a lot of heart. That’s something that didn’t catch us off guard. We knew that they were going to keep pushing. For us we’ve just got to worry about the Brandon Wheat Kings. At the end of the day we’re going to turn the page. Now we’re just looking forward to Game 2 and tomorrow’s a whole new day."

Kelly McCrimmon -Head Coach and GM of Brandon

"I thought the first period was our best period. We had good jump and started the series off on the right foot. We just challenged ourselves to regroup and refocus at the second intermission."

"Obviously a big goal by our team right around the mid way point … the 3-1 goal which turned out we needed."

"I don’t think we exploited anybody. Calgary’s a team that makes you work hard for your chances."

Hitmen eliminate Tigers from WHL playoffs

Kris Foucault scored the tying and winning goal as the Hitmen took out the Tigers 3-2 in overtime.

The Hitmen now get to rest up for their fourth straight Eastern Conference Final as the Blades and Wheat Kings are still fighting it out on the other side of the draw. Brandon leads the series 3-2 with Game 6 going Monday night.

Hitmen lose Game 5

Hit of the Game

Hitmen shutdown defenceman Zak Stebner wallpapers Joey Frazer into the boards just inside the Hitmen blue line in the first period.

Shift of the Game

Hitmen Co-Captain Ian Schultz killed off a penalty in the first period as he single handily took on four Tigers deep in the offensive zone to help tick valuable seconds off the clock, and then drew a tripping penalty. The ‘Dome faithful gave Schultz a standing ovation.


Post -Game Comments

Tigers Head Coach Willie Desjardins

Talk about the game

“That 5 on 3 we didn’t play very well and I thought we would have no trouble over coming that. The guys played hard, you could tell maybe half way through the game we started getting some life after they didn’t score. Our penalty kill did a great job tonight.”

“It was easier for us tonight, if we didn’t win, we are gone. So it was easier for us to make sure we didn’t give up at all tonight. I think our 20 year olds did a good job. For us we were really happy with the win, we probably got a few breaks to get it.”

Did you feel like you won going away?

“We didn’t win it going away, but we had a real strong kill. You know, sometimes its hard on the pp too, they are out there all the time, they don’t get rest and they get frustrated a little bit. They got a good team and we were fortunate tonight.”

What’s next?

“We are happy to be back home, that’s all we wanted was to get back home. We weren’t worried about game 6. Now we’ll start worrying about it.”

What did you think of your goalie Tyler Bunz?

“He was unbelievable. Start of the second he was incredible. They could have gone up 5-1 and the game was over and he made some really, really big saves in that stretch.”


Giffen Nyren – one goal, one assist

What happened?

“I think we took our foot off the gas pedal a little bit there, but I don’t think for any minute we thought it was going to be easy. We just kind of got off the game plan once pucks weren’t going in the net for us and we found ourselves battling back at the end of the game.”

Human nature to think it would have been easier to be done?

“Of course it is, we would have loved to be going home tonight and sleeping all day tomorrow and resting but that’s not the way it is. It’s playoff hockey that’s why there’s seven games right.”

Good game for yourself?

“The opportunities presented themselves, I had a little bit of space and I rolled with it. Once you get down a couple of goals, that green lights definitely there more or less romt he coaches aspect. More or less take chances and I guess that’s the kid of play I bring to the table.”

What did they do well to score so many goals?

“I can’t even remember there goals, I cant even think about there goals but they got pucks to the net like we tried to do all game and some of theirs went in.”

How did you feel coming into the third tied?

“It’s tough, it’s definitely tough but we came in 3-3 going into the third and we tried to come out and respond but it got away from us.”

Ian Schultz – Hitmen Co-Captain

You did not bury the game when you had the chance

“Absolutely, our coaches have been preaching about bearing down on our chances and turns out tonight we didn’t and it comes back to haunt us. We put one or two of those in and the game probably goes a different way. But we don’t, we kick ourselves when we look back and reflect. We can’t take it to heart. We got to keep a short memory and go back into their barn and have a good game.”

“We let our foot off the gas. We played a solid 20 minutes at the start, kind of set the pace, set the tone of how the game was going to go and then we let off. Good teams find a way to fight back and that’s exactly what they did.”

Talk about the fore-check

“We kind of wanted to get in on them early. Make them hear footsteps every chance we can. Like I said we got away from that and that’s our game plan. When you get away from it, the outcomes not that pleasant.”

It’s never easy, is it?

“No never. It’s never easy especially when you got a chance to win the series and have a little bit of time off to rest the body. It sucks but we will just use it as motivation to go into their barn to play a full a 60 minutes.”

Hitmen Head Coach Mike Williamson

Talk about the crucial turning point in the second period

“We worked hard up to that point and worked hard to earn those power plays. We just didn’t have the intensity both on those power plays and even strength after that. We backed off. Our fore-check wasn’t as aggressive and we weren’t jumping on things. We were on our heels a little bit and same as (in) our d-zone. We were collapsing.”

Talk about Nyren’s game tonight

“He showed a lot of desperation, you could tell that he wanted to go out there and make a difference. There are times he tried to do a little bit too much but at least he was a guy that was doing something.”

These are just teenagers, what message do you relay to them now?

“It’s important to realize every situation is dire and important. We knew that team wasn’t going to quit. It’s a proud group of players over there and a good group of hockey players and they battled hard and I thought we just relaxed a little bit and we cant relax, we have to play desperate and intense and hard and simple and all those things and we got away from that and when we did, that allowed their talent to take over.”

Matt MacKay – two goals, on assist, first star of the night

Talk about playing in the ‘Dome

“We have a bunch of character guys in that room and our backs were up against the wall. Playing in this building is so hard, especially against this team. Their record speaks for themselves.”

What did you think of your goalie tonight?

“Tyler Bunz was unbelievable tonight. It was all 20 guys going for each other and selling out. It was something special and hopefully we can build off that. I think that kick save he had on Broda where Broda went across the crease there, it was an unbelievable skilled play on his part. For Bunzy to get his pad over there like that, that sparked our whole bench and everyone jumped right up there. You could see the life on our bench starting to get built.”

What about Hitmen goalie Martin Jones?

“Jonesy’s an unbelievable goalie and you know if you don’t shell him you’re not going to get anything on the board. I thought Bunz really stepped up for us tonight and played right with him. We got some traffic in front of the net, which we’ve been needing to do and it kind of went for us tonight.”

Tyler Bunz – Tigers Goaltender, 35 saves

Talk about going home

“It’s huge. Any time you can play in front of your home crowd in Game 6, it’s definitely something you want and we wouldn’t ask for anything better. Our fans our like a seventh man out there and they help us out a lot with the noise. It’s just a great atmosphere to be playing in. Hopefully we can get the win for them in Game 6.”

Talk about Martin Jones

“It’s kind of the challenge that I’m up for. We talked about with my goalie coach that Martin Jones has obviously got a resume on his hands - Worlds Juniors and a lot of league records. For me to outplay him in this game and the other win we got is definitely something I need to keep doing to win this series. We’ve just got to keep firing pucks at him and get bodies in front of him. He’s a big goalie and for us to get bodies in front of him, a goalie can’t stop what he can’t see. We’ve just got to keep doing that.”

The Tiger offence really provided great support

“It was kind of frustrating. The guys in the dressing room were frustrated as well. We just kept positive. It’s a 60-minute hockey game. For us to battle back in that 20 and get two more goals in the third was definitely huge. Congrats to our guys for battling back and not giving up down 3-1.”

What was your mindset when you were down 3-1

“I was trying to stay pretty calm. I knew that if we lose this game, the season’s over. I thought I just had to be the hardest working player out there in the second period. That’s what I thought I did and made some saves that I needed to, but also the guys played real hard in front of me. They were blocking shots, getting pucks out and getting pucks to the net on Martin Jones there in the second and third.”

Hitmen move one step closer

The Hitmen won 4-1 on Wednesday night to move within a game of the Eastern Conference Final.

Led by Kris Foucault and Cody Sylvester the Hitmen were able to hand Medicine Hat their first loss on home ice this post-season.

Game 5 goes Friday night in 'Dome.

The train is rollin'!

Click here for tickets

Hitmen fall in OT

Emerson Etem scored the tying and winning goal as the Medicine Hat Tigers came back from two and one goal deficits to beat the Calgary Hitmen in overtime.

The win means that there will definitely be a Game 5 at the 'Dome on Friday night. For tickets, click here!

Hitmen grab 2-0 series lead

Odd Occurrence of the Game

Medicine Hat’s Tristan King and Tyler Shattock were ‘joined at the hip’ as King’s skate was wedged into Shattock’s equipment and needed the referee’s assistance to wiggle free from the entrapment.

Save of the Game

Martin Jones makes a key pad save in the first period on Tiger’s defenceman Thomas Kundratek to keep the score locked at goose-eggs.

Hit of the Game

28 on 28

The Hitmen’s 28, Michael Stone, lays out the Tiger’s 28, Bretton Cameron, in the corner of Hitmen zone less than a minute into play to set the tone of the game.

Post-Game Quotes

Brandon Kozun - one goal


With the slow first period, what was said in the locker room?

“I think we didn’t come out the way we wanted to. I think we’re relying on getting that first goal first. Once we get that it seems that we start to get going, but we got to make sure that next game we come out right off the bat.”

You only allowed 19 shots against a tough Tiger team

“Yeah, we know what kind of team they are. They are a run’n’gun team, and we wanna play our style of game out there.”

Talk about how you just signed an entry level deal with the Kings

“It’s definitely a huge honour. It’s been a goal of mine for the entire year. It’s definitely something I’m pretty happy about.”

Lengthy negotiations or quick deal?

“It was a little bit of both. It was pretty painless. I am just happy to get it done with.”

The Kings have a lot of good young prospects, what is your take on their team?

“They definitely have a bright young future and obviously a lot guys there have done a good job. Dean Lombardi obviously has come in and done a very good job. So it’s definitely a huge honour to be apart of the organization. Hopefully I will start my pro career there.”

What do they expect from you in the fall?

“Actually we haven’t talked about it much. Maybe, we will talk a little bit more at the end of the playoffs. You know I am just trying to do my best here right now, and try and win the Memorial Cup and then go from there.”

“I’m focused on winning a Memorial Cup and that’s where I am right now.”

Martin Jones – 19 save shutout

Talk about the defensive effort from the team

“Yeah, especially against a team like Medicine Hat, they got a lot of team speed and they can really get a lot off the rush. It’s been a good two games for us. We have played well defensively and we have done all the little things right. Winning battles at the blue line, having a good high guy, things like that. All that’s been a huge factor for us.”

Up 2-0 instead of down 2-0 like last series

“It’s nice to be up for a change, but I don’t think our mindset is going to be any different. We still have to play with that desperation, play like we are down two games. Every game is a must win, because if you give a team like that momentum, they are going to run with it. They are too good and too fast of a team to give them any life. So we got to make sure we come into Medicine Hat and play with that urgency.”

You are 12-0 against the Tigers personally

“I didn’t even know that, so it’s fun to play those guys. It’s fun to play those guys in the regular season. They are always fun division games and important games so it’s nice to be able to play well against that team. Other than that, there is not much else to it.”

Tyler Shattock – two goals

Defence first mindset

“Absolutely, we definitely have a defence first mindset against a team like Medicine Hat. You can see they have a pretty fast, quick team. I think we are doing a good job of clogging up the neutral zone to shut that down. We got to carry that on into Medicine Hat. We know it is going to be a tough place to play, I think we can pull her out.”

How did you guys change your game tonight?

“I think we were being a bit too fancy early on. We only had three shots after the first period. After that I think we got pucks to the net. He is a young goalie and he hasn’t played many playoff games, so I think we can get to him.”

Head Coach Mike Williamson

Defence team effort

“Our penalty kill was much sharper tonight. As the game went on, our guys did a pretty good job of getting in lanes and keeping pucks to the outside. Defence is just about hard work, commitment and paying attention and our guys did that as the game went on.”

Tuesday night, what do you have to do?

“They were in this position last round, so they have a lot of confidence going back to their own rink. They play very well there. They have one of the best records in the league at home during the regular season. It’s a tough building to go into and you just can’t stress enough for our guys, that if you don’t play close to sixty minutes and have a better start, that’s definitely going to play into their advantage.”

Hitmen rolling into Game 2!

After completing a monumental comeback against the Moose Jaw Warriors, the Hitmen came out flying in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final against the Medicine Hat Tigers with a 5-2 victory.

Game two goes Sunday night at the 'Dome.

Click here for tickets!

Hitmen beat Warriors 4 games to 3!

Hit of the Game

The Hitmen's Kyle Aschim rubbed out Moose Jaw's Cody Smuk into the boards deep in the Hitmen zone late in the game. A fitting end to a great victory.


Close Calls of the Night

Both Brandon Kozun and Ian Schultz rang shots off the iron. Kozun's came in the first on a point blank chance in the slot, while Schultz tipped a Matt MacKenzie blast from the point in the second period.

Post-Game Comments

Brandon Kozun – one goal, two assists

Talk about winning three straight games to take the series

“Well I think everyone knew we could do it. At the beginning of the series if you were to say ‘hey are they going win three games in a row,’ I don’t think many people would have doubted us”

How many game seven’s have you been in?

“I was with the Hitmen when I was 16 for their game seven. That was about the only one.”

How does it feel to play in such a crucial game?

“It feels awesome, I have had the luxury of playing in some pretty big games too, it’s definitely a lot similar and you know all those games help you and all the experience helped us tonight.”

Does the adversity of being down in this series help going forward?

“Well it it’s huge, I think last year obviously we swept the first three rounds and we kind of got down in Kelowna and we didn’t know how to react. Now I think we will have confidence if we get down one or two, we know in our team that we can come back.”

What was the turning point in the series?

“I think the first win we got in Moose Jaw, I think that was big for us to know that we could beat them.”

What can you say about a familiar face from Medicine Hat in Coach Willie Desjardins (who Coached Kozun at the World Juniors)?

“He is going to get his guys going, he always does. You know they have a really good team in Medicine Hat and we got to make sure we cant go down 3-1 like in this series.”


Head Coach Mike Williamson

Talk about the series

“Well I think we had to get better in order to get back in this series. We learned a lot along the way. We had some guys really step up and we just have to make sure we do a better job of letting this one go and getting ready for the next series. I don’t think we did a great job of that after the regular season, re-setting our goals, and making sure we are at the top of our game. We faced a hungry team early, they deserved everything and we put ourselves in a tough hole, but a lot of character for the guys for coming back.”

Could you sense the offence clicking?

“We’ve stumbled onto some things that we felt comfortable with. It’s an ongoing process and we will have to adjust to it. Just the more guys that are at the top of their game, the easier it is to coach obviously. Like I said, we need everybody to step up and continue to get better.”

Last year the team swept their way to the final? Does this adversity help?

“It can if you learn from it, that’s the biggest thing. We learned that we can comeback, and we prepared to comeback. We also learned that we don’t want to put ourselves in that position. If we can put ourselves in better positions in the game and in the series, it obviously helps you win games and close series’ out. It can help you in the end, bottom line; we have to be better start to finish.”

What challenges can you expect from the Tigers?

“Great group of forwards, tons of speed, some solid dangerous guys on the back end. I think the biggest thing is their transition game is second to none. If you’re not getting pucks in deep and playing simple and getting above pucks and working hard to get back, they’ll eat you up. They have as fast a group of forwards as anyone in the league. Puck management is crucial against that team.”

Jimmy Bubnick – two goals


Talk about your second goal

“Koz made a great pass. (Cowan) took the guy out of the play, the d-man. I saw I had a lot of ice and took it and put it upstairs.”

How did you comeback from being down in the series?

“We dug a hole for ourselves and we managed to get out of it. We just worked hard and got the momentum in Game 5 and just built from it there.”

You personally have not had the best luck in the playoffs, how does this feel?

“It’s great. Any time you win in the playoffs is great. I’ve had some rotten luck so far in playoffs and it just felt that much better.”

What was the feeling like in the dressing room prior to the game?

“There was no doubt in the dressing room. Everyone was focused. Everyone knew that we could do it. Everyone just bought in and just believed we could do it. It worked out for the best.”

Tyler Shattock – one goal, one assist

Talk about how your line played

“I think we had the challenge of shutting down Bast and them. I think we did a pretty good job of that the last two games.”

“I think all three of us kind of thrive on that challenge of shutting down other guys. If we can chip in ourselves, that’s a bonus. Hopefully it keeps rolling like we’ve been rolling and carries on into Medicine Hat.”

Do you think you took Moose Jaw too lightly?

“I don’t know if it was a matter we took them lightly. They came out pretty hard and they played us pretty tough.”



What was the turning point in the series?

“Probably when we won that second game, we kind of knew we maybe had them on the ropes there a bit and we had a bit more confidence going.”

“Once we got pucks past Bosch and got bodies in front of him, I think he let a couple goals in there. He played really well all series, credit to him, but credit to us for getting by him.”

“Once we started putting pucks by (Bosch) and got confidence and we knew we could beat him with the puck, I think that the series was all but ours.”

Does facing this adversity make you a better team going forward?

“That’ll make us a better team in the long run for sure. Even though we were down 3-1 we came back and showed a lot of character in that room. We’ve got an old group in there. I think that Calgary’s made it to the third round three straight years, so we definitely want to surpass that goal this year.”

Cody Sylvester – two goals

Describe what is was like to get the first goal?

“First goal is always huge in a game 7 game, actually any game, but Beacher made a beautiful pass behind their D man and I went in opening up looking for a guy coming in but I just thought I would shoot it on net and it happened to go in.”

“It’s a great feeling scoring the first one, getting any goal. My line-mates were going. Everyone was going tonight and everyone was working hard.”

What was it like to play in a game seven?

“First game seven ever. It’s always nice to get that game seven, hopefully you wont have to see that again but everyone was going out hard tonight, it was do-or-die, and we had our backs against the wall the whole series and we just came out strong.”

What did you learn about yourself? What did the team learn?

“You always have to face adversity playing hockey and myself face adversity too. You just have to stick with your game plan, and pucks will go your way. And like it happened in this series, the bounces started going our way in the seventh game.”

Does the adversity help going forward?

“Going through all these games, it should help us in the long run and everyone is going to build off of it and go from there.”

Hitmen force Game 7!

The Hitmen went back into 'The Crushed Can' and forced a seventh and deciding game, set for Monday night back in Calgary.

Get your tickets now and see you under the Saddle!

Post game comments to follow Game 7.

Hitmen win Game 5 to stay in series!

Hit of the Game

Ian Schultz plasters Warrior forward Thomas Frazee into the boards deep in the Hitmen zone in the later stages of the 2nd period. This hit helped the Hitmen kill off a key Warrior powerplay.


Save of the Game

Jeff Bosch continues to amaze even in a losing fashion. He stopped three straight shots from Kozun, Shattock and then Broda at point blank range in the first period. The play was reviewed but it was deemed that Bosch did actually save Broda's last attempt.

Quotable Quotes

Brandon Kozun - four point night

Coming back from an early deficit

“Just knowing that we can come back from that is going to give us confidence if it ever happens again.”

What’s next?

“We know the ability on our team. You know what, one game at a time.”


Playing in the ‘Crushed Can?’

"We know we can win in that building. We’ve done it twice this year. We know our abilities. We had the best road record in the league this year, so we know we can win on the road. We’re just going to take it one shift at a time, one period at a time, one game at a time."

What did Fiddler’s goal mean to the team?

“Those goals are huge. You get that goal and their team, I wouldn’t say gives up, but it’s just another dagger into it. Obviously, you need support and that goal was a support.”

Mike Williamson, Hitmen Head Coach

Tonight’s effort

“We wanted a win. It was a close hockey game again. I think our guys did a better job of not passing up opportunities to shoot the puck and we had a little better traffic and that’s what we did in the other game we won. It’s a good character test for our guys. I’m really proud of the way they responded. Now we’ve got to regroup and get the next one.”

Down 1-0 after the 1st period

“I think it was a true test of the character of the hockey team and they responded. I think you create your own bounces and luck, so it was great to see the guys regroup after the first period and be rewarded for it. I thought a lot of our guys did (respond).”

Co-Captain Ian Schultz - one goal, one assist

Talk about tonight’s effort

“Absolutely, we kind of came out with the mindset that it's do or die. I mean, you look at it, it is now, you know we don’t want to go home. I am home so I don’t want to see anyone else go home. We have a great group of guys in here; everybody is starting to buy in for real now. It’s not just lace’em up and put your sticks on the ice, you know we are going out and getting it. We’re taking it into our own hands.”

What was said in the 1st intermission?

“We knew we were having a couple of bad bounces again, like it seems like we’ve had all series but you got to stay positive. Each game is a game of short memories, especially in the playoffs and we figured we played pretty well in the first. We just built on that. We established a good base in the first and we just kind of built on that in the second and the bounces started going our way and pucks started going in.”

Overcoming adversity, overcoming a deficit?

“It’s great. We kind of haven’t had a lot of rewards for our hard work so far, so to kind of get recognized or the opportunity tonight to extend the series is big for us and we wont take it for granted, we still have our backs to the wall. We still have to go into a hostile environment on Saturday and put up another good effort.”

Tough penalties against you?

"The standards been set for the referees in the series. We got to change our games to stay disciplined. Our coaches have preached good discipline since the start of the series. I think we finally took our heads out of the sand, as you may say, and kind of listened to him (Coach Williamson). We didn’t take as many stick infractions or holdings or anything like that. We are taking roughing and charging penalties, you know, making them feel like we’re coming for them."

How was your ability to get to the front of the net

"It was good, Bosch will save whatever he sees. It was huge to get in there and disrupt his vision and get in his head a little bit. A little bit of his focus was on us instead of the puck and I guess it paid off."

Talk about the Hitmen Powerplay

"Coach has been preaching discipline and moving your feet off the wall to get to the net and with the new rules they cant hook or impede you at all and it paid off for us tonight."

Chasing Bosch, does that put doubt in his mind?

"I don’t think so. He should have all the confidence in the world. He stood on his head. Even tonight, he had some (great) saves. He’s kept them ahead of us a lot. A lot of their success goes to him and my hat goes off to him. He comes and competes every night. We expect him to bounce back twice as hard on Saturday so we just keep doing the same thing and hopefully the bounces go our way."

Tyler Fiddler - game-winning goal

Are you still feeling ill?

"Still sick here, but just trying to give the team what I got."

Can you talk about that explosive second period the team had.

"We thought we had a pretty good first period there. We didn’t get any bounces and didn’t score but we just said stick with it, and came through on the power play and on the special teams in the second period."

Moose Jaw Head Coach Dave Hunchak

Tonight's game comments

"They got some bounces tonight, we didn’t get any tonight. As a result they win the game, so it's back to Moose Jaw for Game 6. "

Is Saturday going to be a different Moose Jaw Warriors then tonight?

"We have to be a deeper group. We have to make sure we get production not only from Jason Bast and Thomas Frazee but those other guys as well too, that’s going to be really important. We cant have any passengers at this time of year, we gotta make sure that everything we do is for the right reasons and making sure we keep the pucks moving ahead, and make sure we get as many pucks to Jones as we can an see if we cant feed off the momentum our crowd is going to give us."

Does the 'Crushed Can' give you an advantage?

"It does, but there is no question we control the volume in that building by how we play. I think they are very passionate fan base when we’re going and we’re playing Warrior hockey, it's unbelievable in that rink. When we are not playing Warrior hockey, they let us know as well too, they are very knowledgable, they get it and they also get that Game 6 probably for both teams is the biggest game of the year."

Pulling Bosch?

"Mental break for him. Every time we have done that with Jeff he seems to bounce back and by no means do I think any of the goals tonight were his fault. I think there was a tremendous amount of traffic and some unfortunate bounces. Just a matter of giving him a mental refresher."

Did you say anything to Bosch when he came off the ice?

"Yup, spent some time with him. He understands, he gets that he’s our number one guy, as do we. We will go right back with him."

Hitmen Climb Back into Series

The Calgary Hitmen win 7-3 tonight but still trail in best of seven series 2-1.

Mike Williamson, Hitmen Head Coach

About rebounding from 2-0 series deficit

"We were pretty sure we had the leadership to guide us through that. Every minute you go further in the playoffs it gets tougher. It's one game again. I don't know if any momentum's on our side. Moose Jaw's an opportunistic team. We have to be sharp mentally. We can't have any lapses."

What did you think of Martin Jones tonight?

"Jonesy was spectacular tonight for us and made some big, big stops at key times. Every step of the way it gets tougher and tougher. We have to find a way to stay out of the box. We haven't been in the penalty box this much this year. Discipline has got to be the priority for us."

Ian Schultz, Hitmen Co-Captain

"We kind of just went back to basics. I think we were trying to be too pretty before."

About Moose Jaw Goalie Jeff Bosch

"He still made some unreal saves tonight. We came in here with the mindset to be greasy and we got a couple dirty goals. It starts with the leaders and it's got to trickle down among the whole team."

How do you deal with the insane crowd in Moose Jaw?

"Moose Jaw's got some of the loudest fans, the craziest fans I've ever seen. They make it hard to even hear yourself think."

Just looking to get some bounces

"We kind of felt that some of the bounces are coming our way. Hockey is a game of bounces. They were getting a couple in our barn and it feels good to get one or two in their barn. It kind of made us tighten up a bit when they got that one early (in the third). We kind of pride ourselves at being able to come back on teams."

About getting "the fire" back

"I think a little bit, but not too high and not too low."

Hitmen Lose Again, Must Re-Group Quickly

HIT OF THE GAME

In the first period, Calgary defenceman Ben Wilson stands up Nathan MacMaster with a big check knocking the Moose Jaw forward to the ice.

SAVE OF THE GAME

With the Warriors up 4-1 mid way through the third period, Moose Jaw goalie Jeff Bosch does the splits to get his left pad out to turn aside a shot off the stick of Calgary forward Kris Foucault.

Mike Williamson, Hitmen Head Coach

"There’s nothing magical about it. Moose Jaw is working extremely hard, you have to give them credit."

"We just have to get back to basics. We’re a hockey team right now that isn’t playing like I’ve seen us play all year. We know it’s within us. We just have to find our game in a hurry here and keep things simple. There’s no magic formula. We have to keep things simple and work hard. If we do that, we can chip away at this."

Martin Jones

"They’ve really come out hard. We shouldn’t be surprised about that. They’re a young and hard-working hockey team. We just have to make sure we’re ready right from the get-go."

"That’s the key to playoffs is to have short memories; take it one game at a time and forget the last one. It shouldn’t be a problem. We just need to refocus and get ready for Game 3."

"I think that’s good for us. We’re going to face some adversity, better now and try and battle through it and become a stronger group from it."

Kris Foucault

Looking Forward

"Definitely, we’ve got to have a good start in Game 3 to have a chance in this series."

"We know Moose Jaw. They’re a great team and Bosch has played unreal through this whole series. A little bit of shock that they’ve come out this strong and have won games by this much."

"As a team, I think we have to work a little harder. We’re being outworked by Moose Jaw. We need to get better."

What do you have to do?

"Going down by a couple goals in each first period, it’s tough to come back from that. Guys are trying to do it themselves. We need to just get back to working as a team."

Jeff Bosch, Moose Jaw Goaltender

"Nobody really expected us to do this. We felt really good in our two games here. We’ve maybe been a bit fortunate at times, but we got the job done and it’s great to going up 2-0 back home.

How have you been able to stop the Hitmen power play?

"I think guys are just committed to blocking shots and staying in lanes. My d-men and my forwards have been doing a great job helping me out and making my job a lot easier and that’s what we’ve got to do against a team like this."

Dave Hunchak, Moose Jaw Head Coach

About impressive 22-7-3-2 home-ice record in regular season

"It has been good, but we’ve learned that lesson two seasons ago. It’s a brand new season. We haven’t won or lost at home yet."

"They’re a hard forechecking team. We were fortunate a few times with some of the breaks we got with the puck coming around the boards. We certainly made a few adjustments to try and get away from that forecheck."

"You look at that team and they’re stacked, they’re loaded. They’re a very good hockey team. We have to play a good team game in order for us to have success."

"We’ll have to adjust a few things here again and try and get better in Game 3."