Calgary Herald

Hitmen, Rebels to square off in WHL playoff push

- SCOTT FISHER scott. fisher@sunmedia.ca Twitter:@ScottFishe­rPM

Bring on the Rebels.

The Calgary Hitmen and Red Deer Rebels appeared to be on a post-season collision course for the past couple months. It’s now a reality. The Lethbridge Hurricanes locked up the Central Division crown by pounding Medicine Hat 9-3 on Friday night, moving the Tigers one step closer to extinction.

The Hitmen will hit the road to begin the opening round of the playoffs next Friday and Saturday at the Red Deer Centrium.

Game 3 goes Sunday at the Dome before the series shifts to the Stampede Corral for Game 4 on Friday, April 1. A potential Game 6 would also be held in the cosy confines of the old building.

But before the Hitmen can completely focus on the Rebels, there is a more immediate task at hand — two games against the Kootenay Ice.

The Hitmen beat the Ice 5-2 on Friday night in Cranbrook, recording their sixth win in as many meetings against the WHL’s last-place squad this season.

The Central Division rivals will wrap up the regular season Sunday afternoon at the Dome (1 p.m., sportsnet.ca/960). The team will hand out its year-end awards prior to puck drop.

Overager Jackson Houck took a seat Friday night along with recordsett­ing D-man Jake Bean and cap- tain Colby Harmsworth as a couple youngsters got into the lineup.

Tristen Nielsen, the club’s firstround pick at last May’s WHL Bantam Draft, played in his third game and picked up his first career WHL goal. Ty Prefontain­e made his Hitmen debut Friday night. The 17-year-old had suited up for three games with Prince Albert prior to being acquired from the Raiders at the WHL trade deadline.

Jakob Stukel potted a pair, including his league-leading 17th power play marker, while Matteo Gennaro and Carsen Twarynski added singles. Travis Sanheim had a pair of helpers for the Hitmen (41-26-4) to extend his point streak to seven games.

Houck was OK with sitting out Friday’s meaningles­s win, especially if it means the overager is fresh for one final WHL playoff push.

“The playoffs are obviously important and you want to be at your best,” Houck said.

The Hitmen have one final tuneup prior to things kicking off for real.

“The main goal is to find our groove and play the kind of hockey that we’re known for,” the 6-foot-1, 192-pounder said. “We want to stay positive and confident and move forward from there.

“Every team is still a good team no matter where they are in the standings. If you don’t show a team respect, it’s going to bite you.”

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