Hitmen lose the latest battle of Alberta but clinch fourth-place finish just the same

The Hitmen took on the Edmonton Oil Kings Wednesday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

The Calgary Hitmen couldn’t do anything right Wednesday night on the ice, but they still ended up getting what they wanted when they clinched a fourth-place finish in the WHL’s Eastern Conference.

Kayden Stroeder had a hat trick as the Oil Kings built a 3-0 lead early, then hung on for a 5-1 victory over the Hitmen in Rogers Place.

Harrison Lodewyk scored for Calgary to cut the lead to two goals midway through the middle frame, but Stroeder scored again to complete his hat trick.

In the third period, Landon Hanson scored a shorthanded goal in the third to make it 5-1 for Edmonton.

By clinching a fourth-place finish, Calgary secured home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

Tickets and dates for the first round will be announced soon.

The Hitmen wrap up their home schedule Saturday night against the Lethbridge Hurricanes at Fan Appreciation Night.

Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.