Discussions

Calgary Hitmen (19-6-0-0, 2nd in Eastern Conference)  
 
Top scorers: Brandon Kozun (11+34=45), Michael Stone (12+11=23), Joel Broda (10+13=23), Tyler Fiddler (12+9=21)  
 
Top scoring defenceman: Stone (12+11=23)  
 
Probable starting goaltender: Like the Wheat Kings, the Hitmen have been splitting time between two goalies. If the trend of the last few games continues, it's Michael Snider's (8-2-0, 0.926 save pct, 2.09 goals against average) turn.  
 
Manitobans: John Lawrence (Newdale), Michael Stone (Winnipeg)  
 
 
 
Brandon Wheat Kings (14-10-0-2, 5th in Eastern Conference)  
 
Top scorers: Brayden Schenn (12+25=37), Matt Calvert (15+19=34), Jay Fehr (10+19=29), Scott Glennie (11+16=27)  
 
Top scoring defenceman: Colby Robak (6+16=22)  
 
Probable starting goaltender: Never an easy guessing game, but based on Hayes starting both Tuesday and Wednesday I'll guess that Jacob De Serres (3-5-0-1, 0.871 save pct, 3.95 goals against average) gets the call tonight with Hayes playing tomorrow night in Moose Jaw.  
 
 
 
While still one of the league's top teams, the Hitmen are a different club than the one that knocked the Wheat Kings out of the 2009 WHL playoffs. Much of their offense has been built around Brandon Kozun, who has factored into more than half of their goals (Kozun: a league-leading 45 points, Hitmen: 88 total goals). Not only that, but he has approx twice as many points as anyone else on the Calgary Roster (Broda, Stone have 23).  
 
Wheat Kings' Brayden Schenn will be looking to continue his torrid pace, having racked up 4 goals and 12 assists during a 6 game scoring streak. The Wheat Kings themselves have amassed 31 goals over those same six games while giving up 27.  
 
These two teams have played one other time this season, a 4-3 Calgary shootout win at Westman Place on October 7.  
 
Lineups and scratches will be added to this thread at the usual time. Would be great to hear peoples' thoughts on the matchup.  
 
Edited by Adam, 2009-11-20 10:01:14