WHL Weekend preview
r By Jesse Watts – whl.ca
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r Calgary, AB—The 2009-10 Western Hockey League schedule enters its second weekend of play with 21 games slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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r In the Thompson-Okanagan, the Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers are getting set for its first regular season meetings as the two teams play a home and home series beginning Friday in Kamloops and continuing Saturday in Kelowna.
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r In Brandon, the Wheat Kings will be throwing a Tailgate Party prior to their home opener on Friday night versus the Swift Current Broncos. Proceeds from the event will go to this year’s Run for the Cure event.
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r In Calgary, the Hitmen will mark Sunday’s home opener versus the Red Deer Rebels by hosting a Banner Raising and Game-Worn Jersey Auction to honor last season’s tremendous accomplishments.
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r In Spokane, the Chiefs will celebrate their 25th season in the WHL with a Commemorative Puck Giveaway at their home opener on Saturday versus the Tri-City Americans.
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r WESTERN CANADA U-16 CHALLENGE CUP…
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r WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, along with Hockey Alberta General Manager Rob Litwinski and Blackfalds Deputy Mayor Will Taylor will be at the Enmax Centre in Red Deer, AB, on Friday to announce the schedule and ticket information for the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup prior to the Rebels’ game versus the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
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r The Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup will be held just north of Red Deer in Blackfalds, Alberta and will feature the highest rated players in the Under 16 age category representing the four Western Provinces of Alberta, BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The four team round robin tournament format, which will be held October 28 to November 1, 2009 at the Blackfalds Multiplex, will assist the four Western Provincial Hockey Associations evaluating these top prospects for future Program of Excellence competitions.
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r KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS…
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r Tri-City Americans @ Spokane Chiefs
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r The two U.S. Division clubs renew their fierce rivalry on Saturday, September 26th, in Spokane, WA.
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r The Ams and Chiefs have finished 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the U.S. Division in each of the last two years, and will both be contenders for the division title again this season.
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r The Chiefs, who split a pair of opening-weekend games in Prince George, will be commemorating their 25th season in the WHL on Saturday night. The game will also mark the Chiefs’ debut for forward Kyle Beach, who was acquired from Lethbridge on Wednesday.
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r The Americans opened their 2009-10 season with a rousing 6-1 home-ice victory over the defending WHL Champion Kelowna Rockets. The Ams will face the much-improved Portland Winterhawks on Friday night prior to their Saturday clash with the Chiefs.
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r Last season, the Chiefs won seven of 12 meetings versus the Americans, including five of six encounters in Spokane.
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r WEEKEND SCHEDULE – September 25 – 27
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r All times local
r Friday, Sept. 25
r Swift Current @ Brandon; 7:30
r Kelowna @ Kamloops; 7:00
r Calgary @ Medicine Hat; 7:30
r Lethbridge @ Red Deer; 7:30
r Moose Jaw @ Regina; 7:00
r Edmonton @ Saskatoon; 7:05
r Chilliwack @ Seattle; 7:35
r Portland @ Tri-City; 7:05
r Prince George @ Vancouver; 7:30
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r Saturday, Sept. 26
r Prince George @ Chilliwack; 7:00
r Vancouver @ Everett; 7:05
r Kamloops @ Kelowna; 7:00
r Medicine Hat @ Kootenay; 7:00
r Brandon @ Moose Jaw; 7:00
r Seattle @ Portland; 7:00
r Edmonton @ Prince Albert; 7:00
r Tri-City @ Spokane; 7:00
r Lethbridge @ Swift Current; 7:30
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r Sunday, Sept. 27
r Red Deer @ Calgary; 2:00
r Prince George @ Portland; 5:00
r Saskatoon @ Regina; 6:00
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