It’s been close losses that have been haunting the Calgary Hitmen over the past month, but Friday night’s game against the Victoria Royals may hurt even more.
Currently on the outside looking in at the WHL’s Eastern Conference playoff picture, the Hitmen (17-21-4-2) came out flat, allowing three first-period goals and stumbling to a 7-2 loss to the Royals (26-18-4-0).
If there was good news for Calgary hockey fans – although not necessarily for the Hitmen or their supporters – it was the damage done by Flames prospect Matthew Phillips.
The sixth-round pick in the 2016 draft was playing his first game in Calgary since the Flames selected him, and he put on a show, scoring a hat-trick and adding an assist.