Road warriors reign supreme in this Eastern Conference clash. Expect a tightly contested opener as the Wheat Kings face the Hitmen.
2026 WHL Playoffs Preview: 4) Brandon Wheat Kings Versus 5) Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen and Brandon Wheat Kings are set to clash in the opening round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs in what is widely considered the most evenly matched series in the Eastern Conference. Separated by only three points in the standings, the two clubs split their four-game regular-season series, with the road team winning every contest.
2025-26 Regular Season Statistics:
Season Records:
- Calgary Hitmen: 38-21-8-1 (85 pts)
- Brandon Wheat Kings: 40-26-2-0 (82 pts)
Power Play:
- Calgary Hitmen: 31.7% (2nd in WHL)
- Brandon Wheat Kings: 23.6% (11th in WHL)
Penalty Kill:
- Calgary Hitmen: 79.2% (9th in WHL)
- Brandon Wheat Kings: 75.2% (14th in WHL)
Calgary Hitmen Point Leaders Against Brandon Wheat Kings This Season:
- Ben MacBeath: 4 GP, 0 G, 6 A, 6 P
- Julien Maze: 4 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 P
- Andrei Molgachev: 4 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 P
- Ethan Moore: 4 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 P
- Caine Wilke: 4 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P
Brandon Wheat Kings Point Leaders Against Calgary Hitmen This Season:
- Jaxon Jacobson: 4 GP, 4 G, 3 A, 7 P
- Luke Mistelbacher: 4 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 P
- Joby Baumuller: 4 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P
- Prabh Bhathal: 4 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P
- Grayson Burzynski: 4 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 P
Series Schedule
The best-of-seven series begins tonight at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Due to arena availability, the series follows an unusual 2-3-2 format.
- Game 1: Brandon @ Calgary — Friday, March 27, 7:00 PM MT
- Game 2: Brandon @ Calgary — Sunday, March 29, 2:00 PM MT
- Game 3: Calgary @ Brandon — Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 PM CT
- Game 4: Calgary @ Brandon — Thursday, April 2, 7:00 PM CT
- Game 5*: Calgary @ Brandon — Friday, April 3, 7:00 PM CT
- Game 6*: Brandon @ Calgary — Sunday, April 5, 4:00 PM MT
- Game 7*: Brandon @ Calgary — Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 PM MT *If necessary
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