Calgary Hitmen preparing for big home-and-home series against Medicine Hat

Hitmen forward Oliver Tulk is seen on Jan. 15, 2025.

The Calgary Hitmen and Medicine Hat Tigers are tied for first place in the Central division.

Both teams have 52 points, but the Hitmen have three games in hand.

The two teams will face each other in a home-and-home series beginning on Friday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Hitmen forward Oliver Tulk says these are the games you get really excited for.

“The games are huge right now,” said the 19-year-old. “We’re fighting for first place with them right now, so each game is worth four points. I’m not sure how many more times we play them, but back-to-back games are really important – to play against them and play good.”

Tulk leading the offensive attack

Tulk is having a great season with the Hitmen.

He’s third in league scoring with 22 goals and 44 assists for 66 points.

His previous high with the Hitmen was last year when he had 80 points, so no doubt if he’s healthy, he’ll surpass that.

Tulk says it’s been fun coming to the rink this season, especially as of late.

“Lately, a lot has been going right for me,” he said. “The team has been playing great.”

“Everyone is just playing the right way, and it’s just going right for everyone right now.”

Solid line

This is Tulk’s fourth season with the Hitmen, and right now he’s playing on a line with Ben Kindel and Brandon Gorzynski.

Tulk has points in 20 consecutive games, and Gorzynski says he’s a special player.

“He’s just kind of a purebred scorer,” he said.

“He can score from anywhere and he’s a threat form anywhere in the offensive zone with the puck. He’s got a great mind and a great vision.”

Solid defensively

While Tulk produces a lot of offence for the Hitmen, head coach Paul McFarland says he can also take care of things defensively.

“It’s been great to see his development from an offensive standpoint, but I think as impressive for me is his play away from the puck,” he said.

“His line a lot of nights has to go up against the other teams' best lines, and they do it both ways.”

Nice to be battling for first

Tulk has seen a lot of struggles in his three previous seasons with the Hitmen.

He says fighting for first place makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “Every year we were just growing towards something, and this year it’s showing what we were growing towards.”

It’s a busy weekend for the Hitmen.

They play the Tigers on Friday night, head to Medicine Hat for the rematch on Saturday night, and then they’re back home to play the Regina Pats on Sunday.