WHL heavyweights battle on Sunday afternoonBy Sam Cosentino Its our first Sunday afternoon CHL game in what is part of our package moving forward for the rest of the regular season. The idea is to fit-in nicely between our early NHL game and the start of Hometown Hockey to give you a SundayBy Sam Cosentino Its our first Sunday afternoon CHL game in what is part of our package moving forward for the rest of the regular season. The idea is to fit-in nicely between our early NHL game and the start of Hometown Hockey to give you a Sunday full of puck. The matchup is a good one, featuring two of the top teams in the WHLs Eastern Conference. The Calgary Hitmen play host to the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Wheaties are the top team in the conference having lost just 9 times in regulation through the first 42 games of the regular season. As has been the case the last couple of seasons, Brandon boasts a stellar defensive corps featuring the likes of veterans Reid Gow, Eric Roy, Ryan PIlon and projected first rounder Ivan Provorov. Up front, Brandons top nine forwards are the envy of the CHL. First rounders Morgan Klimchuk and John Quennville are augmented by the pesky Jayce Hawryluk, import Rihards Bukarts and super rookie Nolan Patrick. The Wheat Kings are the highest scoring team in the WHL averaging almost 4.5 per game. Expected to be a top contender in the WHL this season, Calgary has taken some time to adjust to new head coach Mark French, and the graduation of goaltender Chris Driedger. The Hitmen are lead by Vancouver first rounder and world junior gold medalist Jake Virtanen. With off season shoulder surgery and time missed at the world juniors, Virtanen has played in just 22 games, but hes produced more than a point per game. Calgary possesses a balanced attack with 16 players at 13 or more points. Calgary is big and mobile on the back, lead by first rounder Travis Sanheim. The Hitmen acquired man mountain Keegan Kanzig in a trade and that should aid in his development as hes a Flames draft pick. Rookie Jake Bean, Tampa prospect Ben Thomas and the ever improving Michael Zipp make up the top 5. In goal, Mack Shields has carried the load, but the Hitmen traded for Brendan Burke at the deadline. Burke is more than capable as a back-up and should help push Shields, and at the very least, relieve some of the workload from him. Rogers Hometown Hockey is in Moncton this week. Also, if youre curious as to what the worlds best junior players do to win, heres your answer: #WhatToWin. Brandon Wheat Kings: 29-9-3-1 (14-6-0-1 Road), 2L (1st Eastern Division, 1st Eastern Conference) 3rd BMO CHL Top 10 Individual Stats Top Scorers GP G A PTS Note Tim McGauley 42 25 24 49 T-2nd WHL GWG, SHG Jayce Hawryluk 37 18 27 45 Rihards Bukharts 33 14 25 39 Ivan Provorov 36 10 27 37 2nd WHL rookie scoring Peter Quenneville 42 9 28 37 In Goal Name Record GAA SV% Jordan Papirny 24-7-3-0 2.89 .907% Team Stats Rank PP: 47/183=25.7% 2nd PK: 37/154=76% 19th GF per game: 4.38 1st GA per game: 3.24 11th NHL Drafted/Signed Players Morgan Klimchuk (CAL 28th 2013) John Quenneville (NJ 30th 2014) Jayce Hawryluk (FLA 32nd 2014) Eric Roy (CAL 135th 2013) Reid Duke (MIN 169th 2014) Peter Quenneville (CLB 195th 2013) NHL Central Scouting PTW AIvan Provorov PTW BRyan Pilon PTW CRihards Bukarts Jordan Papirny Under The Radar Tim McGauley: Hard to imagine the forward who plays the most minutes and leads the team in scoring is under the radar until you consider all the name players surrounding him in Brandon. McGauley is a model of consistency. Calgary Hitmen: 23-15-1-3 (13-9-0-0 Home) 1W, 3rd Central Division, 5th Eastern Conference Individual Stats Top Scorers GP G A PTS Note Adam Tambellini 41 26 21 47 5th WHL goals Connor Rankin 42 20 24 44 Chase Lang 37 17 22 39 Travis Sanheim 39 10 26 36 5th WHL D scoring Radel Fazleev 41 12 20 32 In Goal Name Record GAA SV% Mack Shields 17-12-0-2 2.84 .896% Team Stats Rank PP: 34/152=22.4% 6th PK: 31/177=82.5% 7th GF per game: 4.05 3rd GA per game: 3.12 9th NHL Drafted/Signed Players Jake Virtanen (VAN 6th 2014) Travis Sanheim (PHI 17th 2014) Adam Tambellini (NYR 65th 2013) Keegan Kanzig (CAL 67th 2013) Ben Thomas (TB 119th 2014) Chase Lang (MIN 167th 2014) Radel Fazleev (PHI 168th 2014) Kenton Helgesen (ANA 187th 2012) NHL Central Scouting PTW CPavel Karnaukhov Under The Radar Kenton Helgesen: He has played both FWD and D for the last couple of years, does both well and wears the “C”. What more could you ask for? ift.tt/1gB4pon
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 17:03:51 +0000
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