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."
Friday, April 30, 2010
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."
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."
Saturday, April 24, 2010
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."
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."
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
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!
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.
Game 4 goes tonight in Brandon.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
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."
"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."
Saturday, April 17, 2010
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."
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."
Sunday, April 11, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, April 9, 2010
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 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.”
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
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'!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
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!
The win means that there will definitely be a Game 5 at the 'Dome on Friday night. For tickets, click here!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Hitmen grab 2-0 series lead
Odd Occurrence of the GameMedicine 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.”
Saturday, April 3, 2010
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!
Game two goes Sunday night at the 'Dome.
Click here for tickets!
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