MEMORIAL CUP GAME DAY

GAME DAY
What: 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup: Semi-Finals
Who: Brandon Wheat Kings vs Calgary Hitmem
When: 9:00 pm
Where: Keystone Centre, Brandon, Manitoba

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS
Regular season record: 50-18-1-3 (104 points)
League regular season ranking: Second overall, second in Eastern Conference
Combined regular season and playoff home record: 31-10-0-2
Regular season goal differential: 321-204
Playoff goal differential: 56-51
Playoff record: 9-6
Memorial Cup appearances: Three (1979, 1995 and 1996)
Memorial Cup championships: None
League championships: Two (1979 and 1996)
Preview: Rogers Sportsnet

CALGARY HITMEN
Regular season record: 52-17-1-2 (107 points)
League regular season ranking: First overall, first in Eastern Conference
Combined regular season and playoff road record: 33-12-1-0
Regular season goal differential: 269-177
Playoff goal differential: 96-56
Playoff record: 16-7
Memorial Cup appearances: 1999
Memorial Cup championships: None
League championships: 1999, 2010
Preview: Rogers Sportsnet

In a rematch of Wednesday’s final round-robin game, the Calgary Hitmen face the Brandon Wheat Kings tonight with the winner advancing to Sunday’s Memorial Cup Final.


READY FOR A REMATCH
The two teams met in the WHL’s Eastern Conference final and again on Wednesday in the final round robin game of the tournament so it’s safe to say that they know each other well and don’t really like each other very much.

“I think we know what we’re getting into and they know what they’re getting into,” said Hitmen co-captain Michael Stone. “We’re two teams that don’t like each other and I wouldn’t see it going any differently than it has before.”

“Obviously you never want to lose to a team like we have the last couple of times,” said Wheat Kings’ defenceman Travis Hamonic. “It’s kind of frustrating at times but we just have to put everything behind us right now. It’s a Game 7 mentality for both teams. The winner moves on and the loser goes home and starts their summer training. We don’t want that right now.” (MemorialCup.com)

LIVE BLOG
Join Yahoo! Sports Jr. Hockey Editor Sunaya Sapurji and Buzzing the Net blogger Neate Sager live from the MasterCard Memorial Cup as they blog from the semifinal tonight at 9:00 pm.

KOZUN IS BACK IN
Like a lot of other hockey players, Brandon Kozun doesn’t enjoy watching the game a whole lot. Kozun has been unable to play his role as a sniper in the Memorial Cup because of an ankle injury. That is expected to change tonight.

“I’m very excited,” Kozun said. “I’m ready to go and I’ve got a lot of built up energy ready. I’ve wanted to get out there the last two (games). It’s tough for me. I kind of shake the entire game and get a little nervous. It’s tough to watch on the sidelines and it’s going to be nice to be out there.”

“I think if you watched that practice you could see how excited I am,” Kozun said. “It felt really good. There’s not much I can’t do right now. It’s nice to get back on the ice. I felt really comfortable out there.” (MemorialCup.com)

TIME TO STEP UP
Brandon Wheat Kings net minder Jacob De Serres has had an odd Cup run. But with his team’s season on the line, the past will be the last thing on his mind.

“I’m looking forward to it,” De Serres said after practice Thursday. “I’m ready to go.”

He admitted his tournament start was not been ideal.

“I wanted to do so well, so bad, I caught myself trying to do too much,” the six-foot-two, 180-pound De Serres said. “I need to battle harder.

“I feel very confident going in.” (Montreal Gazette)

SPITS FEELING GOOD
Despite head coach Bob Boughner’s best efforts, the Windsor Spitfires hit the hotel waterslide on the teams off day Wednesday.

In what Taylor Hall called a “16-man luge,” the players hit the twisting slide led by Zack Kassian.

“I was the first one down and got hit in the back,” Kassian said.

Hall said it was quite the gathering.

“I think at one point, the slide was bending a bit,” Hall said.

Boughner didn’t seem too upset they ignored his wishes.

“I’m glad they had fun,” he said. (Montreal Gazette)

GLENNIE RETURNS
Wheat Kings forward Scott Glennie also practiced Friday morning and will be available for Friday's game. Glennie missed the second and third periods of Wednesday's round robin game.

"It was just basically a little banged up and I guess it was just a decision from the trainer and Kelly (McCrimmon) not to play me the rest of the game," Glennie said.

When asked if he wanted to get back in the game, he said: "Rest is a good thing. Quite honestly, it's a big game today and just to rest up for the rest of the game was necessary." (Rogers Sportsnet)

OTHER STUFF
Full preview from Yahoo! Sports blog “Buzzing The Net.”

Is it even possible for Bob Boughner to be fired by the Spitfires? (Toronto Sun)

The Hitmen are sick of the Windsor Spitfires love fest. (CBC)

The top five goals at the 2010 Memorial Cup…. so far. (Buzzing the Net)

MEDIA
Television: Rogers Sportsnet, RDS, and NHL Network (USA)
Webcast: Sportsnet.ca