By WHL.ca /

Calgary, AB – The 2009-10 Western Hockey League schedule enters its third weekend of play with 22 games slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday as the calendar flips to October.
 
In Calgary, the Hitmen celebrate their 15th season in the Western Hockey League on Sunday, October 4th, when they host the Moose Jaw Warriors.
 
In Everett, nest Wednesday night is EmpowerME night with the Silvertips.  The event is an opportunity for kids to learn about the benefits of living an active and healthy lifestyle.
 
In Kamloops, the Blazers will be hosting Pink Powerplay Night on Friday night versus the Vancouver Giants.  The team will wear special pink jerseys which will be auctioned off throughout October, with proceeds going to help fight breast cancer.  Meanwhile, the Prince George Cougars will also Think Pink on Saturday night when they host the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
 
In Medicine Hat, the Tigers will are encouraging fans to help Drive Away Hunger by bringing non-perishable food items to Saturday night’s game versus the visiting Kootenay Ice.
 
In Prince Albert, one lucky fan could win big money at Conexus $100,000 Night on Friday night when the Raiders host the Saskatoon Blades.
 
In Swift Current, it’s Lung Association Awareness Night on Sunday when the Broncos host the Red Deer Rebels, while in Kennewick, WA, its Tri-City Rotary Duck Race Night when the Americans host the Spokane Chiefs.
 
KEY WEEKEND MATCHUPS…
 
Saskatoon Blades @ Brandon Wheat Kings
Saturday, October 3rd
 
The Brandon Wheat Kings host the Saskatoon Blades on Saturday night for the first meeting between two East Division and Eastern Conference contenders.
 
The Wheat Kings, host team for the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup tournament, have won three straight games and have not surrendered a goal in over 188 minutes of play.  They’ll become even tougher to beat with stars Brayden Schenn and Matt Calvert back in the lineup after lengthy stays at NHL camps.
 
The Blades, meanwhile, are 2-1-0-1 through their first four games, but are coming off a 4-1 win in Regina over the Pats last Sunday.  The Blades have also gotten better with the return of veterans Sam Klassen and Milan Kytnar to the team from NHL camps.
 
Last season, the Wheat Kings and Blades met eight time with Saskatoon coming away victorious in five of the eight meetings.
 
Portland Winterhawks @ Kamloops Blazers
Sunday, October 4th
 
The Kamloops Blazers host the Portland Winterhawks on Sunday for a match-up between two Western Conference teams on the rise.
 
The Blazers have jumped out to a 4-1 record through their first five games of the season, and have done so with a combination of strong goaltending and scoring depth.  After posting a mediocre 33-33-2-4 record last year, and suffering another first-round playoff defeat, the Blazers appear primed to climb the Western Conference standings and take their place among the list of contenders in the West.
 
The Winterhawks have skated to an impressive 3-1 record through four games while outscoring their opponents by a 19-6 margin, and, for the first time in three years, have escaped the Western Conference basement.  After three seasons of struggle and hardship, the Winterhawks appear ready to not only make a playoff push, but challenge for the U.S. Division.
 
The Winterhawks and Blazers met four times during the 2008-09 season, with the Blazers winning three of four meetings.  All four meetings proved to supply plenty of offense, as the winning team netted no less than five goals on each occasion.
 
WEEKEND SCHEDULE – October 2 - 4
All times local
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Friday, Oct. 2
 
Red Deer @ Brandon; 7:30
Moose Jaw @ Edmonton; 7:00
Vancouver @ Kamloops; 7:00
Chilliwack @ Kelowna; 7:00
Calgary @ Kootenay; 7:00
Saskatoon @ Prince Albert; 7:00
Lethbridge @ Prince George; 7:00
Swift Current @ Regina; 7:00
Tri-City @ Seattle; 7:35
Portland @ Spokane; 7:00
 
Saturday, Oct. 3
 
Saskatoon @ Brandon; 7:30
Kelowna @ Chilliwack; 7:00
Kootenay @ Medicine Hat; 7:30
Lethbridge @ Prince George; 7:00
Red Deer @ Regina; 7:00
Brandon @ Moose Jaw; 7:00
Prince Albert @ Swift Current; 7:30
Spokane @ Tri-City; 7:05
Kamloops @ Vancouver; 7:00
 
Sunday, Oct. 4
 
Moose Jaw @ Calgary; 2:00
Portland @ Kamloops; 5:00
Edmonton @ Medicine Hat; 6:00
Red Deer @ Swift Current; 7:00

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