Game Day vs. Kelowna......Boychuk sings with Carolina

It's a few hours before game time as the Lethbridge Hurricanes try and re-group against the Kelowna Rockets at the Enmax Centre tonight. The Canes' have dropped their last 2 starts, the most recent a 4-2 loss in Calgary on Thursday. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the Hurricanes will likely be looking for more from the veterans. The Rockets are coming off a 4-1 loss in Medicine Hat last night. The big news is actually off the ice. Another Hurricane has signed an entry level pro contact. First it was Luca Sbisa a few days ago with Philadelphia now it's Zach Boychuk (photo above). A news realse today from the Carolina hockey club states the following: Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed center Zach Boychuk to a three-year, entry-level contract. Beginning with his first full professional season, the contract will pay Boychuk $787,500 per season at the NHL level or $65,000 per season at the minor-league level. Boychuk receives a $262,500 signing bonus as a part of the contract. Zach is an important part of our team's future and we are very happy to get this deal done now. In 2006-07, Boychuk led Lethbridge with 91 points (31g, 60a) in 69 games as a 17-year-old.
It's another feather is the hat really for Lethbridge. It's another testament to what this organization has done over the past few years. This past June, Boychuk and Sbisa were the first two Lethbridge Hurricanes ever to get drafted in the first round of the same NHL draft and now in the same week, both players sign entry level pro-deals. No too Shabby! Great job to both players and can't wait to see them both back in Lethbridge soon, trying to help the Canes' win a Memorial Cup. When Boychuk and Sbisa will return isn't known, but I would bet they'll both be back at some point in the next few of weeks. Again, another year of junior in Lethbridge would only benefit their development as players, and that would be a good thing for all three organizations.
Tonight's game is a 7 o'clock start against...the pre-game show on CJOC at 6:30 with myself and Dick Gibson. We'll be taking your calls in our post game show as well (403-388-4646) or you can send us an e-mail at hurricanes@pttwireless.ca. Sunday evening the Canes' host Swift Current at 6pm.

Lethbridge vs. Kelowna Here's how the teams match-up:


Head to Head Record 2008-09 Regular Season
Lethbridge 0-0-0-0
Kelowna 0-0-0-0
Head to Head Record 2007-08 Regular Season
Lethbridge 2-0-0-0
Kelowna 0-1-0-1
Last 5 Years record between teams
Lethbridge 7-3-0-0
Kelowna 3-6-0-1
Lethbridge vs. Kelowna Last 5 Years record at Lethbridge
Lethbridge 4-0-0-0
Kelowna 0-3-0-1
Lethbridge vs. Kelowna Last 5 Years record at Kelowna
Lethbridge 3-3-0-0
Kelowna 3-3-0-0

Canes' Drop Second Straight Game

Well, it was a quiet bus ride back to Lethbridge last night. The Hurricanes fell 4-2 in Calgary last night, suffering their first loss at the Saddledome since October of 2006 and if it wasn't for goaltender Juha Metsola, that 4-2 score could've been worse. Lethbridge looked flat and most of the energy came from the rookies. As Dick said on the broadcast, the Canes' need to get more out of the veterans if they want to be successful. I agree. It was not their best effort of the still young season, but now they get a chance to rest up tonight, look over some video and get ready for the Kelowna Rockets tomorrow. Calgary was a hungry team last night. They were all over the Hurricanes from the drop of the puck and didn't give them much to work with throughout the night.
Yes, this team is missing some key players. We keep saying that I know, but we also need to face the fact that these players aren't back in the mine-up yet and Lethbridge will have to get contributions from everyone in their absence if they want to get back to their winning ways. My goodness, it's only two losses in five games this year, we're not pushing the panic button here, not by any means. I'm just saying there needs to be a better effort than what we saw in Calgary plain and simple. Lethbridge has 8 home games this month, 3 more on the road. As Dick said last night, it's a good time for them to make some hay at the friendly confines of the Enmax Centre! Our pre-game show tomorrow on CJOC is at 6:30. The puck drops Saturday night at 7.

Game Day vs. Hitmen in Calgary

View from the broadcast booth at the Saddledome

Well, time to hit the bus again in a few hours and take the short 2 hour ride to Cow Town. The Saddledome has been the Hurricanes home away from home I guess you could say. Lethbridge for some reason loves to play there. Iact, they haven't lost a game in Calgary in 3 seasons and the Canes' are hoping that trend continues tonight (cross you fingers......touch wood!) Lethbridge has had a chance to rest up since suffering it's first loss of the season last weekend in Medicine Hat. Looking at the local paper this morning, Michael Dyck wants his team to play a full 60 minutes tonight. The line-up in Calgary will be pretty much the same as it was last weekend. No Fadden, Boychuk, Sbisa, Braes, Bancks, and Iwanski. Iwanski, Braes, and Bancks are all nursing injuries. Yesterday the Hurricanes released defenceman Lucas Alexiuk. Given that, Lethbridge will go with the same crew. Hey, the Canes' are off to a 3 and 1 start.....not too shabby with so many guys not playing, but this is a busy first week of October for Lethbridge and the team will be put to the test. After tonight, they boys from the bridge have the night off tomorrow, but on Saturday the Kelowna Rokcets will bring their road show to the Enmax Centre and then Sunday night at 6, we'll get our first look see at Swift Current. 3 games in 4 nights with somewhat of a short bench. I gather there'll be a heavy relicance on guys like Sceviour, Wright, King, and Metsola to lead the way. If anything is true with the Hurricanes so far this season, it's depth. Let's hope the success in Calgary continues! Tonight game is a 7 o'clock start. The Pre-game show on CJOC with Dick Gibson and myself at 6:30. Any questions, drop us a line at hurricanes@pttwireless.ca

Here's how the two teams match up:

Head to Head Record 2008-09 Regular Season:
Lethbridge 0-0-0-0
Calgary 0-0-0-0
Head to Head Record 2007-08 Regular Season:
Lethbridge 5-1-0-0
Calgary 1-5-0-0
Last 5 Years record between teams:
Lethbridge 14-12-2-3
Calgary 17-13-1-0
Lethbridge vs. Calgary Last 5 Years record at Lethbridge:
Lethbridge 6-7-1-2
Calgary 10-5-1-0
Lethbridge vs. Calgary Last 5 Years record at Calgary:
Lethbridge 8-5-1-1
Calgary 7-8-0-0

Luca Sbisa signs with NHL's Philadelphia Flyers

Luca Sbisa right

Picture from www.flyers.nhl.com

Well, there was ano question Luca Sbisa was doing well at the Philadelphia Flyers camp, maybe better some of us thought! Today the Flyers signed the 190-pound defenseman to an entry-level contract, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. In a team release, Holmgren says, "We consider Luca a good, young prospect for us," said Holmgren in making the announcement. "We are happy to have it done. He has continued to play well for us through training camp. The fact that he is still here (in training camp) shows that we think very highly of him, and at the end of the day, we will do what we feel is right for the organization and what we feel is right for the development of this young player.” Great news for Philly, not so great news for the Hurricanes. Let's not get too bummed out just yet. Luca's signing doesn't mean he won't be back with Lethbridge this year. Is there a chance he's not coming back? Well yes, but in the same token there's a good chance he'll return too. He's still a young player that would probably benefit a lot by staying one more season in the WHL. Perhaps that's what Holmgren means when he says the Flyers will do what's best for Sbisa's development as a young player. That would be a plus for both the Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers. Right now, the Canes' are preparing for each game as if Luca wasn't coming back. That's the way is. He's not here now, so why prep as if he was! I think the coaching staff and GM Roy Stasiuk are going about this the right way. If Sbisa comes back, great, if not well that would be tough no doubt, but Lethbridge still has a heck of team and life will go on. For now though congrats to Luca for making such an impact in Philly. I still hope we see him back in a Lethbridge Hurricanes uniform in the next few weeks!

DICK’S PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW

Ok, this is the last time that this subject will be mentioned, well until the next game that involves a shoot-out for the Hurricanes. Quite simply, I do not like them. In fact I am dead set against shootouts. Hockey is a team game, yes a team game! However, as entertaining as shootouts might be, they become a one on one competition. Shooter against goaltender. Shooter scores, his team can win or goaltender stops the shooters his team can win.
But this is not a team competition and it rewards the team with a point in the standings for winning a one on one competition. Everyone seems to forget that for sixty minutes plus the overtime both teams battled to a tie. Each team should be given a point and that is the end of it. Can you imagine the poor team that misses the playoffs because of one point that was awarded to the team ahead of them because of a one on one showdown. I know the NHL does it so all of the CHL does it. Entertaining for some, yes. The best way to settle a tie, no!

Dick’s Bio
Dick is the Colour Commentator on Lethbridge Hurricanes radio broadcasts. He’s a extremely loyal Montreal Canadien fan and has been involved with the Lethbridge Broncos and Lethbridge Hurricanes since 1975.

Hurricanes getting set for a busy week...Team injury update

After a 6-3 loss in the Hat on Saturday, the Canes' now have a few days to rest up and get ready for what is going to be a busy October and it gets going this week with 3 games in 4 nights. On Thursday, Lethbridge will play the Hitmen in Calgary, a place where they love to play and haven't lost in 3 seasons. Friday is an off day game-wise and then Saturday and Sunday it's back-to-back home dates versus Kelowna and then Swift Current Sunday. It'll be a good test for this team, still missing a few key guys. Here an inury update for you as of today. Carter Bancks is still 2-3 weeks away with a broken foot, Dan Iwanski is day-to-day with a knee injury, and Cam Braes as well as Lucas Alexiuk have concussions...both are day-to-day. Zach Boychuk is still with the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. He's likely 2 weeks or so away from getting back into a real game situation. No word on Luca Sbisa yet. He's still with Philadelphia and making an impact. Once he returns, that'll give the Hurricanes blue line a big boost.

Lethbridge's October schedule puts the team at home for 8 games and away for 4. Again we're still waiting for the return of some notable players, including Mitch Fadden. Until then it's same old same old! Don't forget to tune in tonight to Hurricanes This Week from 7 to 8 on CJOC-FM or log on to http://www.loungeradio.ca/

I'm putting together the guest list for the Oct. 6th show. We'll be speaking with the Rod Pedersen, Voice of the Regina Pats and I'm hoping to have Hurricanes Captain Ben Wright on the show that night as well. Stay tuned.

Note: Juha Metsola's shutout streak lasted just over 150 minutes! Also once a week, starting this Wednesday Dick Gibson, colourman on the Hurricanes broadcasts, will contribute his personal viewpoint to my blog!
Thanks!
Pat

Hurricanes Drop First Game of the Year

We got back to Lethbridge shortly after mid-night this morning after a short bus ride from Medicine Hat. Saturday's game started off well for Lethbridge, but didn't finish the way they wanted. The Canes' managed 1-0 lead after one and then it looked like a 3-1 lead heading into the 3rd, but the Tigers scored what we would call the TSN turning point goal with 16 seconds to go in the 2nd to cut the lead to 3-2. That changed the momentum, because Medicine Hat would end up scoring 4 more in the 3rd to win the game 6-3. The Hurricanes looked like a tired bunch as the game wore on. I don't think any team would admit to fatigue as an excuse, but it was obvious to Dick and I in the broadcast booth that it was becoming a factor as the game wore on. All in all, it wasn't too bad. It's only one loss in 4 games this year. The Hurricanes now have a few days to rest up and get ready for 3 games in 4 days this coming week. Thursday in Calgary and then Saturday and Sunday nights back at the Enmax Centre versus Kelowna and Swift Current respectively. Something tells me this Eastern Conference is going to be another tight one this season. Yes I know, it's still early, but there seems to be a trend already.
The Hurricanes are still waiting for the return of Luca Sbisa (Philadelpia), Zack Boychuk (Carolina), and Mitch Fadden (Tampa Bay). These three guys will add a lot to the Lethbridge line-up. Lets not forget the walking wounded here. Carter Bancks, Dan Iwnaski, and Cam Braes. When they'll be back in the line-up, all 6 of them is anyone's guess. Hopefully sooner rather than later. By the way, Juha Metsola's shutout streak lasted more than 150 minutes. Great for him! I also thought new Hurricane Brent Henke played well last night. His size is very noticeable on the ice.
Don't forget about "Hurricanes This Week" on CJOC tomorrow night from 7 to 8pm hosted by myself and Dick Gibson. Our guests include WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, Calgary Hitmen Play-by-Play man Brad Curle and your calls! 403-388-4646 or send us an e-mail at hurricanes@pttwireless.ca

Pat