It was all about streaks when the Calgary Hitmen came to Mosaic Place to face the Moose Jaw Warriors in Western Hockey League action on Wednesday evening. Except, it was two different kinds of streaks. The Hitmen extended their winning streak to five games with a 6-4 win over the Warriors.
Calgary (29-10-1-3) got goals from newly acquired defenceman Jesse Zgraggen in the opening frame and Brady Brassart scored just three minutes later.
The Warriors fall to 14-22-3-4 on the season and are in the midst of a five game losing streak. The Hitmen have won all four meetings this season.
“Overall, I was very happy with the way we played, very happy with the way we competed and happy with our physical play. It is tough when you go up against a team that is in first place,” stated Warriors head coach Mike Stothers. “We always try to find a positive and I don’t look at how many we’ve won in a row or how many we’ve lost in a row. I see a lot of positives for a team that has 12 players in their lineup that are 17 or younger.”
Warriors’ Tyler Bell scored his second of the season after getting a stretch pass from Carter Hansen after serving a penalty. Bell shot from just inside the blue line and the puck squeaked past Mack Shields.
“Any puck at the net is a good one, obviously with Bell coming out of the box and threw it at the net,” said Stothers.
Brooks Macek continued his hot streak with a goal just six seconds into the middle frame in four-on-four action. The veteran core of the Hitmen has been the difference in this winning streak.
“Our veterans up front have showed up every night and carried the team. We’ve had some secondary scoring most nights and our D and goaltending have been really solid,” explained Calgary’s head coach Mike Williamson.
The Warriors would swing the momentum their way after Justin Kirsch blasted a shot from the point that hit Jordan Messier in front of the net on the man advantage.
Calgary continued to take penalties, allowing Kirsch to score on a point shot that beat Shields. That was the end for Shields as he made 13 saves on 16 shots. Chris Driedger came in as relief and stopped 15 of 16 shots.
For more on this story, read an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
