5THINGS TO WATCH
1. ROOKIE WATCH — Injuries have paved the way for a few first-timers to get some WHL playoff experience. For the Hitmen, D Colby Harmsworth has played six game for the injured Kenton Helgesen while Josh Thrower was inserted in Game 4, his first WHL playoff game. Rookie Chase Lang made his playoff debut in Red Deer after RW Pavlo Padakin went down. Meanwhile Red Deer’s Scott Feser, who started the year with the Camrose Kodiaks, and Adam Musil, who was drafted sixth overall in the 2012 bantam draft, have played the last two games.
2. CAPTAIN CLUTCH — Hitmen captain Cody Sylvester earned a fitting nickname after netting Tuesday’s overtime winner, potting the rebound off Spencer Humphries’ initial blast at Red Deer’s Patrik Bartosak. And it wasn’t Sylvester’s first big goal of the post-season. He scored with less than 30 seconds remaining to send action into overtime during Calgary’s third game of the firstround series against Swift Current. “We call him captain Clutch in the dressing room,” Hitmen goalie Chris Driedger said, laughing. “And he definitely lived up to his name.”
3. CHOICE CHIRPS — Red Deer’s faithful following at the Enmax Centrium gave Spencer Humphries a piece of their mind Tuesday, chanting ‘Crybaby’ at the Hitmen defenceman in Game 4. Humphries, of course, had taken a high-sticking penalty in overtime of Monday’s Game 3 after he’d clipped Rebels top gunner Rhyse Dieno. And, of course, he hadn’t been happy about it — especially after Red Deer’s Mathew Dumba scored to seal the Game 2-1. “After (Monday’s) game, I was pretty upset with the call and how it ended,” Humphries said. “I did touch him with my stick, but it’s playoffs and would have liked to see that one let go. It was a pretty emotional game and I was upset that cost us the game.” In the end, the Hitmen had the last laugh with Monday’s 3-2 OT win and Humphries helped seal the deal. “A couple of their fans had some chants for me going on,” he said, grinning. “That gave me more motivation. I’m glad I was on for the last one. For this series, going backto-back overtimes in their barn, just shows how close it is. We don’t like each other at all.”
4. POTENT POWER-PLAY — Finally, after a 0-for-11 stretch this series, Red Deer’s man advantage unit is clicking. They scored both of their goals on Tuesday on Hitmen penalties while they connected when Calgary’s Spencer Humphries was in the box in overtime on Monday. The Hitmen must stay out of trouble if they want to finish off the Rebels in Game 5 Thursday.
5. DIALED IN DRIEDGER — The 18-year-old Ottawa Senators prospect has been one of the difference makers in the series. After four games, he’s stopped 136 of 143 shots for a .951 save percentage and has been steady in all of Calgary’s OT frames. Five of the team’s nine playoff games have gone past regulation.