Veloso scores pair as Kootenay puts Hitmen on Ice
Dom Schmiemann didn’t wait until the New Year to make a resolution. Since being acquired by the Calgary Hitmen from the Swift Current Broncos on Nov. 25, the 18-year-old defenceman has made an effort to improve his offensive game.
“I’ve been working on that a lot, so hopefully it comes,” said Schmiemann, who had an assist in Calgary’s 4-3 loss to the Kootenay Ice on Thursday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Mark Kastelic had a goal and an assist for the Hitmen (10-19-6), who wrapped up a stretch of four straight games against the Ice (1717-2).
“It’s pretty crazy,” said Schmiemann of the barrage of games against Kootenay. “It’s kind of like a playoff experience.”
Orca Wiesblatt and Luke Coleman also scored for the home team in front of 9,034 fans, while goalie Nick Schneider made 34 saves.
Colton Veloso scored twice for the Ice.
A short-handed goal by Brett Davis with 1:50 remaining in regulation time proved to be the game-winner for Kootenay. Alec Baer also scored, while Ice goalie Duncan McGovern was forced to stop just 10 shots to improve his record to 7-3-1.
Although he’s made a name for himself as a defensive defenceman during his 103-game WHL career, Schmiemann believes he can bring more to his game.
“I’m known for that, but I think I do bring offensive abilities to the table as well,” said Schmiemann, who was acquired from the Broncos along with forwards Conner Chaulk and Riley Stotts in a deal that saw Matteo Gennaro and Beck Malenstyn go the other way.
“I have a quick shot at the point and just getting the first pass out and being able to see the ice.”
Schmiemann’s commitment to improving his offensive game has caught the eye of Hitmen coach Dallas Ferguson, who has rewarded him with some time on the power play.
With blue-liners Jake Bean and Vladislav Yeryomenko currently playing for Canada and Belarus respectively at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Buffalo, N.Y., Ferguson needs players like Schmiemann, Drea Esposito and Jackson van de Leest to log more ice time.
“When you’re missing Jake and Yo-yo, it’s like an injury,” Ferguson said. “You want someone to step up and fill those minutes.”
After a scoreless first period, Wiesblatt opened the scoring for the Hitmen at 5:36 of the second.
Baer replied for the Ice at 11:40 before Calgary’s Kastelic scored his ninth of the season 29 seconds later.
The Hitmen got into penalty trouble in the final frame as Veloso scored a pair of power play goals sandwiched around a shorthanded marker by Coleman. Next up: The Hitmen host the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday (7 p.m., Sportsnet.ca/960).