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The Canadian and Russian flags hang from the rafters at Prospera Place Thursday as team WHL players go through a light game-day skate in preparation for the final game six of the Subway Super Series later in the day. (Photo Chris Stanford)
By Chris Stanford
Team WHL looked capable and ready to repel any Russian rally as they got set for the sixth and final game of the Subway Super Series pitting the best of the West against a select touring team at Prospera Place Thursday night.
While the handful of players that also played in game five in Victoria were yet to arrive as of late morning, those that were here had a light skate in preparation for what they hoped would be a clean sweep in the highest-profile game some of them will have played in their young hockey careers.
After Russian goalie Igor Bobkov stood on his head to limit the hosts to a 2-1 win in Victoria Wednesday night in game five, the WHL’s best will be hoping to bulge the twine a few more times in Kelowna and catch the eyes of Team Canada scouts in their last chance to impress on the national stage before world junior selection gets down to the nitty gritty.
While Rockets D-man Tyson Barrie was outstanding in game five Wednesday, seeing time on the powerplay, penalty kill and getting an assist on the winning goal for Team WHL, he’ll be joined on the roster by teammate Brandon McMillan, who also has the honour of wearing the captain’s ‘C’ at Prospera Place.
“Their goalie played really well. There were a lot of chances Team WHL had but they couldn’t put in the back of the net,” said McMillan after watching game five on television with tonight’s teammates. “Tonight if the same goalie’s playing we’ve got to get in his eyes and try to stop him seeing the puck because that’s how you’re going to score on this guy.”
Team WHL dominated the Russian Selects Wednesday, outshooting them 42-20 and neutralizing much of their speed on offense, Kirill Petrov finally managing to spoil Calvin Pickard’s shutout with leas than a minute left to play.
Although CHL teams have managed to outscore the Russians 23-9 in the five games so far, McMillan said he plans on sticking to his own personal game, no matter who is in the stands watching, Team Canada scouts included.
“It’s always in the back of your mind, but I’m just going to try to play my best. I just have to play my game and use my speed,” he said. “I have to be a strong penalty-killer, be strong in the face-off circle and be good against their top players because that’s how I’m going to make this team come December.”
While McMillan, 19, is already taken by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2008 NHL entry draft and making Team Canada would be a feather in his cap, one of his WHL teammates has been making solid impression this season and has seen his stock rise consistently.
Curtis Hamilton of the Saskatoon Blades doesn’t turn 18 until early this December, but the six-foot, three-inch, 210-pound winger has been drawing plenty of attention. While the Blades have been on a tear recently, winning 11 of their last 12 games to lead the league, he has definitely been a factor in their success.
If the son of Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton was nervous about playing in front of his hometown fans, not to mention close family, he certainly didn’t look it as he put things in perspective after a light team WHL skate at Prospera Thursday morning.
“It’s going to be a little different,” he said. “I’ve played here twice before and so hopefully tonight they’re cheering for us.” he joked.
“Every year they come over with a decent team. In the past couple of years they haven’t won a lot of games so I’m sure they’ll be hungry tonight . . . obviously you’re competing for spot on the national junior team, but at the same time we’re playing to beat the Russian’s, that’s why we’re here.”
Hamilton and McMillan will be joined on the team by Rockets head coach Ryan Huska, who is serving as an assistant to head coach Willie Desjardins of the Medicine Hat Tigers, and trainer Jeff Thorburn.
While Team WHL standouts from game five like Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats, and Brayden Schenn and Scott Glennie of the Brandon Wheat Kings will not be here, the likes of Tigers’ Wacey Hamilton, Brett Connolly of the Prince George Cougars and Craig Cunningham of the Vancouver Giants will be in the lineup.
Martin Jones of the Calgary Hitmen is expected to get the start in goal for Team WHL.
There are still a few tickets available for Thursday’s 7 p.m. game by going to selectyourtickets.com or dropping by the Prospera Place box office.
sports@kelowna.com
250-575-3981
The Rockets Brandon McMillan will be looking to catch the eye of Team Canada scouts as they get set to hand out invites to national team selection camp in December. (File photo Chris Stanford)
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if this is the best canada has to offer, polish up the gold medals and give ‘em to sweden right now; save us all the hassle.
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