Canes' Losing Skid Now at Nine

RED DEER- An early second period goal was the difference as the Rebels blanked the Hurricanes for the second time this season, extending the Lethbridge losing streak to nine straight games.

Not much offence in the first period last night. The Rebels had the better of the chances in the first 10 minutes while the Hurricanes had a pretty good second half of the opening period. No goals were scored, but the play for the most part was fairly even. The shots were 9-9 after 20 minutes. Both teams had their chances. Red Deer had the better overall opportunities. Many of their scoring chances in the first were the result of Lethbridge turnovers.

In the second, the Rebels managed to break the scoreless tie. A clearing attempt by the Canes' was held in by Justin Weller. The Phoenix Coyotes product let the shot go from the blueline, it hit something out in front and beat Linden Rowat between the legs to give Red Deer a 1-0 lead. Lethbridge tried to even the score, but couldn't get the puck passed Rebels goalie Darcy Kuemper.

In the third, the Hurricanes tried to even the score while the Rebels had numerous chances to take a 2-0 lead, but neither team could score and Red Deer would hang on for a 1-0 victory. This is the second time this season the Canes' have been shut out in Red Deer by that same score. The Hurricanes were out shot 34-24 in this one. Linden Rowat had another good game in goal despite the loss. He was the game's 3rd star. The power play for both teams struggled. Red Deer went 0 for 7 while the Canes went 0 for 4.

The goaltenders (Rowat & Anderson) are giving this team and have given this team chances to win games this season. The lack of goal scoring though has been a major issue all season and I think in the past month or so, it's been a little more magnified. There's got be a level of frustration amongst the coaches and players at the moment. Rich Preston and Matt Kabayama were both visibly upset on the bench a few times last night. More so than I've seen at any point this season. Personally I don't blames them. Why the puck isn't going in the net is the $64,000 question.

Preston Discusses Young Up and Comers

The Hurricanes called up another prospect last night. Ryley Bennefield played against the Rebels and he'll suit up again tonight in Edmonton. He only saw a couple of quick shifts last night. I spoke with Rich Preston about some of the players that have the potential to push for a spot on the roster next season. Bennefield was the Hurricanes top pick in the 2009 draft 33rd overall. Preston says, "He plays in Leduc in the Alberta AAA Midget League. He's one of the top scorers in that league as far as goals. Bennefield is pretty good for a 15 year old."

When it comes to some of these prospects like Bennefield, Soffilas, and Balog do they have a good shot at making this team in 2010/2011? Preston responded, "It's nice that we'll have a chance over the next few weeks to get these guys in the line-up and have a good look at them at this level. Balog is another guy I'd like to see in a game. I think it's good for the player too, to just get a few games in the league where as next year they have a real good chance at making this club. Pat, our '94 group is really strong with Balog Bennefield, Mitchell Guiel, Adam Henry, and Mason Blacklock, That's a pretty solid group for us."

Next Up

The Hurricanes will finish off this stretch of six games on the road to start February tonight up in Edmonton against the Oil Kings. This is actually one team the Canes' have had success against this year. Lethbridge has won all three meetings so far, including a shoot out victory at Rexall Place just after Christmas.

Game time tonight is 7 o'clock. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.

Thanks,
Pat

Hurricanes @ Red Deer Rebels

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will once again try to end a long losing streak tonight against a team they've yet to beat in four tries this season.

The Red Deer Rebels have had the Canes' number this season. This will be the Hurricanes 5th straight road game to start off the month of February. Things haven't been going well for Lethbridge as of late. They've lost 8 in a row. As for the Rebels, they're poised to make the playoffs for the first time in a long time. The Rebels are currently sitting in 6th spot in the Eastern Conference and are 27 points ahead of Lethbridge.

The Rebels are playing some decent hockey as of late too. They're 7-3 in their last 10 games. In the last 3 games these two teams have played against each other in 09/10, it's been the Lethbridge-area players on this Red Deer squad that've proved to be the demise of the Hurricanes. Jordie Deagle (Lethbridge) and Adam Kambeitz (Coaldale) have done some serious damage for the Rebels.

The Hurricanes have been suffering from a number of injuries too lately. We found out last night during "Hurricanes This Week" that the Canes' plan to call up Ryley Bennefield to help fill some of the void. Lethbridge selected him 33rd overall in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft.

Tonight's game from Red Deer is a 7 o'clock face-off. The pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30.

The Hurricanes will play in Edmonton on Wednesday before returning home for two games this weekend.

Thanks,
Pat

Hurricanes This Week

Nice to be back at home for couple of days after a long week on the road in the B.C.

The bus arrived back in Lethbridge Sunday morning around 9 o'clock after an all night ride from Kamloops. The Canes' losing streak currently sits at 8 games. This time back at home will be short lived. Lethbridge will try to put a stop to the skid with games tomorrow in Red Deer and Wednesday up in Edmonton. They'll return home on the weekend as they host two very tough opponents Saturday and Sunday in the likes on Saskatoon and Calgary.

Hurricanes This Week is back on the air tonight on CJOC. I'll be back in studio with Fred Jack to host the program. Joining us this evening will be Dylan Purcell from the Lethbridge Herald and Paul Kingsmith from Global TV as we bring back our monthly Media Roundtable to discuss the passed month in Hurricanes hockey. Lots to talk about this evening. We'll take some calls at 403-388-4646 and emails too at hurricanes@pttwireless.ca. The show starts at 6pm (MT). You can listen online as well at www.cjocfm.com.

Thanks,
Pat

Hurricanes Lose 2-1 in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS - Two third period goals helped the Kamloops Blazers over the Hurricanes 2-1 last night at Interior Savings Centre.

It was pretty much a wide open start to last night's game. The Hurricanes and Blazers played to a scoreless tie after 20 minutes. Both goaltenders, Brandon Anderson and Jon Groenheyde were busy. It was a pretty solid opening frame for Lethbridge, their second good start in a row. The Canes' held the edge in shots on goal at 13-10.

In the second, the Hurricanes broke the scoreless tie early when Carter Bancks tipped a Dustin Donanghy pass behind Groenheyde to give the Canes' a 1-0 lead less than 2 minutes into the period. Kamloops came on strong pressing for the equalizer. They thought the had tied the game, but the goal was called back after a penalty was assessed to the Blazers for goalie interference. Brandon Anderson had a great period between the pipes for Lethbridge as the Canes' were out shot 14-6 and out shot 24-19 through two periods. The Kamloops fans were not too happy with the official of record Matt Kirk, chanting "We want a ref" near the end of the period. I actually thought Kirk did a fair job up to this point. The Kamloops faithful though obviously disagreed.

In the third, the Blazers completed the comeback. Kamloops tied the game on an early power play goal and then got the winner with just over six minutes to go in the 3rd. Ryan Funk's point shot went off Mike Reddington and in. The Hurricanes pulled Anderson while on a late power play, but couldn't get the tying goal. The final score Kamloops over Lethbridge 2-1. The Blazers out shot the Canes' 34-22. Anderson was the game's third star and played well in the loss. Strangely enough, two nights in a row the game winner was scored late in the 3rd after the opponent banked a shot off Defenceman Mike Reddington. Bad break for the Hurricanes again. The losing streak is now 8 games. The power play kind of let the Canes' down in Kamloops. Lerthbridge went 0 for 5 while the Blazers were 1-1. That was the difference on the night. After the game, a frustrated Rich Preston told me, "Patty....same story, different chapter." Two nights in a row, so close but yet so far. That was also the 23rd game the Hurricanes have played this year decided by a single goal. The Hurricanes have one only 8 of those one goal contests.

Injury Update

Rich Preston's crew got back some of their walking wounded last night in Kamloops. Graham Hood who's missed the passed few games with a shoulder problem played last night as did Daniel Johnston who was scratched Friday was also back in Saturday. Hood though didn't see much action after the first period. Phillip Tot was scratched for the second game in a row with a concussion. He may not be back in the line-up until next weekend.

Next Up

The Hurricanes are heading back to Alberta now, but they'll only be in Lethbridge a short while. The Canes' head back on the road Tuesday to play the Rebels in Red Deer and then on Wednesday they'll head up to Edmonton to take on the Oil Kings. The Hurricanes return home Saturday to play host to the Saskatoon Blades.

Thanks,

Pat

Canes' Losing Streak Hits Seven

KELOWNA - The Lethbridge Hurricanes put out a solid effort and Linden Rowat was great in goal, but it wasn't enough as the Kelowna Rocket beat the Canes' 3-2 last night at Prospera Centre.

A much better start for the Hurricanes last night. In a complete reversal of the past three games, the Canes' found themselves up 1-0 early. Landon Oslanski point shot went in 1:02 into the game to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The Rockets came back strong trying to get that equalizer, but Linden Rowat had a stellar first period in goal and turned away all 19 shots he faced to keep the visitors in a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. This was huge for Lethbridge given the recent struggles early in games. They managed to get through the opening period without allowing a goal against and with the lead too. Goaltending was huge for Canes' in the first. The shots after one favoured Kelowna 19-9.

In the second, the Rockets kept on coming. They tied the game early on a 5 on 3 power play and not too long after grabbed 2-1 lead on goals by Tyson Barrie and Shane McColgan. Linden Rowat was able to shut the door after that and before the end of the period the Hurricanes dug a little deeper and evened the score once again. Mitch Maxwell notched his team leading 24th goal of the year to tie the game 2-2 after two. The Hurricanes were being out shot 30-17 following 40 minutes of play.

In the third, it turned out to be the last team to score would win. The Hurricanes and Rockets battled down right to the late stages when Geordie Wudrick banked the puck off Canes' defencemen Mike Reddington to give the home team a 3-2 lead. The Hurricanes would press to tie, but they would fall short,losing by that 3-2 score. Linden Rowat had a great rebound game and was named the first start in a losing cause. The Hurricanes were out shot 46-24.

I don't think the Hurricanes can hold their heads low about this one. They battled hard and played well. They just came up short. It was the team's best effort in a couple of weeks. When you look at it, Lethbridge played well for a team that had only 15 skaters and 2 goalies dressed.

Injuries Mounting

Here's another update on the team's injury situation. Phil Tot was unable to play last night. He suffered a concussion when he hit his head on the ice during a fight against Vancouver. Austin Fyten did play in Kelowna last night despite injuring his ribs in Chilliwack. He was a factor and played a regular shift all night long. Tot joins Ryckman, Johnston, Ross, and Hood all out with injury. The Canes' played last night with 10 forwards and 5 defencemen.

Preston On The Recent Struggles

I asked Rich Preston before last night's game in Kelowna about the troubles scoring and keeping the put out as of late. He says, "Well we haven't been very good right from the goaltender out. We get early goals scored against us and then I think we try to do too much. We had a good talk today with the guys and sometimes you have to get back to square one. They have to see how we lost and why we lost like we did. We showed them video of the games and it's pretty simple things." I would assume Preston is much happier after last night's effort.

Next Up

The Hurricanes will close out this B.C road trip tonight when they travel to Kamloops to take on the Blazers. Game time is 8 o'clock (MT). The pre-game show on CJOC at 7:30. The Blazers beat the Canes' back in late September. Kamloops will also pay a visit to Lethbridge at the end of this month.

Thanks,
Pat

Canes' @ Rockets Tonight

KELOWNA - The Lethbridge Hurricanes hope to put the brakes to a six game slide that has not been fun to watch if you're a fan of this hockey team.

The Canes' have been outscored 20-3 in two games on this B.C. swing and just came off their worst defeat in several years, dropping an 11-1 decision to the Vancouver Giants. Some fans are wondering what's going on here and why things have gone they way they have over the past couple of weeks. Like I said here the other night, what can go wrong for this team the last while has. I don't have the answers here. I think the players and coaches are trying to find that right now. These players are going to have to dig deep to stop this slide. Injuries have now become an issue too. Five players are currently sidelined on this team, the most recent casualty in (D) Daniel Johnston who suffered a deep cut to his leg from a skate in Langley on Wednesday. That means the Canes' will be playing with 5 defencemen and 10 forwards tonight in Kelowna.

I talked a bit with Head Coach/GM Rich Preston on the bus on the way up here yesterday. I asked him if he was looking at calling up a few affiliate players given the number of injuries and a depleted line-up. He says not likely until maybe next week because most of the potential call-ups like Soffilas, Bennefield, Balog, and Graham are involved in big games with their respective midget teams at the moment. I would expect to see a few call-ups next week in Red Deer and Edmonton if the Hurricanes are unable to get some bodies back in the line-up by then.

This is the first of two meetings between the Hurricanes and Rockets this season. Kelowna will make a trip into Lethbridge at the end of this month. Game time tonight is 8 o'clock (SHAW TV & CJOC). The radio pre-game show at 7:30.

Thanks,

Pat

Hurricanes Lose 11-1

LANGLEY - Another rough game for the Hurricanes. After losing 9-2 in Chilliwack on Tuesday and things didn't get any better last night with an 11-1 loss to the Vancouver Giants at the new Langley Events Centre.

Another slow start for the Hurricanes for the 3rd game in a row. The Vancouver Giants scored two goals on their first four shots to take a 2-0 lead 4:11 into the game. The Giants continued to put on the pressure and scored once more to make it 3-0 before the end of the first. The Canes' had a few chances, but couldn't find the twine. Dustin Donanghy had a bee in his bonnet in that first period. He got involved in two fights one with Kevin Connauton and one with Dillon Scholten. The Canes' were out shot 13-5 in the opening frame. Brandon Anderson started the game while Ville Kolppanan was the back-up.

In the second, the Canes' scored early when a Daniel Johnston shot went off the skate of Carter Bancks and in to get the Hurricanes on the board and cut the lead to 3-1 Giants. Vancouver though would get that back shortly after on a short-handed goal to go up 4-1. The home team would add four more before the period would end to take a commanding 8-1 lead on the struggling Hurricanes. The Giants scored two of those 5 second period goals in the final minute. The shots were 34-11 Vancouver after two. Everything that can go wrong for this team is right now.

In the third, Ville Kolppanen replaced Brandon Anderson in goal, but it didn't help. The Giants beat Kolppanen on the first shot directed at the young Finn and just like that it was 9-1 Giants. They weren't done there. Vancouver would score twice more and finish off the Hurricanes 11-1. It was team's worst loss in 4 seasons. Lethbridge was out shot 50-17. The Hurricanes were also fighting history last night. They haven't beaten Vancouver is six seasons. The last time the Canes' beat the Giants was in December of 2004. It's been a long time. Also this is the 3rd-six game losing streak for Lethbridge this season.

Injury Update

The Hurricanes have been bitten again by the injury bug. The played last night's game without Austin Fyten (Ribs) and Graham Hood (Shoulder). They join Max Ross (Broken Foot) and Derek Ryckman (Shoulder) who've both been out since the Christmas break. The Canes' lost another player last night. (D) Daniel Johnston left the game in the 2nd period after getting cut with a skate. He received a deep cut to one of his legs and had to get stitches. Linden Rowat didn't play either, but he was a healthy scratch. Ville Kolppanen backed-up Brandon Anderson in goal.

Captain Carter on Hurricanes Struggles

I talked with Carter Bancks before last night's game against Vancouver and asked him about the 9-2 loss in Chilliwack on Tuesday. Bancks was very upset after the game so I asked him, as Captain what he talked to his teammates about after. "I wanted to get across (to the guys) that the 9-2 loss was unacceptable. Even if we're out of the race, I guess you could say, you can never have an effort like that. I was very embarrassed leaving the ice in Chilliwack and I know a number of other guys were too. This is my last season in the WHL. I want these last games to be fun for me. Tuesday night was NOT fun! That's something you never want to feel in hockey." I assume Bancks wasn't happy after last night either.

Next Up

The Hurricanes travel today to the B.C. Okanagan where they play the Kelowna Rockets tomorrow (8pm on SHAW TV and 7:30 pre-game on CJOC). It's the first meeting of the season between these two teams. The Rockets and Hurricanes will play again at the end of this month in Lethbridge.

Thanks,

Pat