Happy Halloween! The Hurricanes tonight will play game two of this road swing against the Kamloops Blazers. We had a good day yesterday on an off day here in the Okanagan. The team had a very brisk practice in Kelowna in the late afternoon and then went out for a pre-Halloween team meal. Again, we've talked a lot about being on the road doing the whole team bonding thing. There's been lots of that over the past few days. The younger guys getting to know the older ones. These are the things that bring teams closer together. With that in mind it's time get ready for this game against the Blazers. Last season, the Canes' beat the Blazers in Kamloops 8-0. This Blazers team is improved over last year. Kamloops brings a record of 7-8-0-2 .....the Hurricanes are 9-6. Lethbridge will attempt to build on a very good performance in Chilliwack on Wednesday where they hammered the struggling Bruins 7-2. In that game, the top two lines for the Hurricanes really broke out. Boychuk, Sceviour, and Ashton all had their best games of this still young season. Offensively, the Canes' were on fire and if they're able to put in a repeat performance in Kamloops this evening, they could cause some fits for the Blazers.
Lethbridge will close out this BC trip in Kelowna tomorrow before having a week off and playing in Calgary November 8th.
I also think the win the other night was a confidence booster. The Hurricanes didn't play fancy or try to do more. They simply played a smart team game and were rewarded with a win. Game time tonight from Kamloops in 8 o'clock. The pre-game show on CJOC at 7:30.
ADT Canada/Russia Challenge
The WHL announced it's roster and coaching staff for the ADT Canada/Russia challenge yesterday. Hurricanes forward Zach Boychuk made the team. He played in this tournament last season. His selection to team WHL really is no surprise. His offensive prowess will be a big addition to that team. As for the coaches chosen, Willie Desjardins of the Medicine Hat Tigers will serve as Head Coach while the 2007-08 WHL Coach of the Year Don Nachbaur, of the Tri-City Americans, will act as Assistant Coach. Also, Broncos General Manager/Head Coach Dean Chynoweth will be an Assistant Coach during the Swift Current game and Raiders General Manager/Head Coach Bruno Campese will serve as Assistant Coach for the Prince Albert game. I can tell you I'm quite surprised Canes' head coach Michael Dyck, last year's Eastern Conference Coach of the Year nominee did not get selected as a coach for one of those games. Call me biased, but I think Dyck's performance behind the Canes' bench last season guiding Lethbridge to the league final deserved a nod behind the bench for the ADT Canada/Russia Challenge. I guess those who chose the rosters felt otherwise. Congratulations to all! The two WHL games will be hosted in Saskatchewan by the Swift Current Broncos on Wednesday, November 26th and the Prince Albert Raiders on Thursday, November 27th.
Hurricane Extras:
During the 2nd intermission on tonight's broadcast, I'll be joined by Gregg Drinnan who writes for the Kamloops Daily News. You can also find a link to Gregg's popular blog here on my blog. He always seems to have the pulse on what's going on in the WHL. Those who've read his blog will know what I'm talking about!
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