By Scott Fisher /
A tough, five-game road trip through the U.S. Division finally brought an end to the Calgary Hitmen’s 11-game winning streak.
But after a 3-1-1 trip, the Hitmen returned home and picked up right where they left off.
Victories over the Chilliwack Bruins and Kelowna Rockets less than 24 hours apart boosted the Hitmen’s home streak to 12 straight Ws.
Rookie goaltender Michael Snider stood tall against the Bruins to maintain his perfect record (6-0-0).
“It’s a lot harder on the road,” Snider told the Calgary Sun. “You don’t get much time to get out
and do much because you’re always in the hotel.
“Having your own fans is the biggest thing. They back you up and help you out a lot.
“It feels good to be a part of it.”
Snider, who boasts a 2.03 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, has been able to maintain his focus between infrequent starts.
Martin Jones, the club’s starting ’tender, has gone 19-3-2 this season with a 2.02 GAA and .918 save percentage.
Snider wasn’t the only Hitmen player happy to be sleeping in his own bed following the eight-day trek through the U.S.
Brendan Rowinski, who notched his fourth game-winning goals against Chilliwack, said his squad took a while to find its stride at the ’Dome.
“It’s tough to play in games like that after long road trips,” Rowinski said.
“But we pulled out a win and we have to be happy.”
Jason MacDonald sure was happy the following afternoon when he scored the winner against the Rockets, one of his former teams.
“It was definitely a highlight for me,” said MacDonald, who plied his trade for the Rockets for parts of two seasons.
“It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen the boys play, so it was very exciting.”
The winning weekend wasn’t all fun and games, though.
Winger Ian Schultz injured his knee when he fell awkwardly after a check.
When the St. Louis Blues prospect will be able to return is uncertain.
But the Hitmen had just two road games — in Saskatoon and Prince Albert — before a 10-day Christmas break.
SONNE PULLS ON MAPLE LEAF
Hitmen centre Brett Sonne, who led the WHL in scoring when he left for Team Canada’s world junior evaluation camp, won’t be back with the Hitmen until mid-January.
Sonne will be in Ottawa over the Christmas break, helping Canada go for its fifth straight world junior gold medal.
Left-winger Bostjan Golicic is playing for Team Slovenia at the ‘B Pool’ world junior championships.
HIT PARADE
The Hitmen are 18-1 (.947 winning percentage) on home ice this season...Calgary leads the WHL in both powerplay efficiency (30.2%) and penalty killing (88.1%) ... Sonne and linemate Brandon Kozun sat No. 1 and 2 in the scoring race with two games to play before the holiday break.
— Scott Fisher covers the WHL for the Calgary Sun. |
