Canes @ Red Deer Tonight

Another well played game by the Hurricanes last night.

One of my keys to the game for Lethbridge against PG was to get off the quick start and try and build on that and you know, that's exactly what happened. Kyle beach got things going 13 seconds in and the goals kind of flowed for the Canes from that point on. They would add 3 more not too long after and before the 9 minute mark even hit, it was 4-0 Hurricanes. The Cougars got one back in the second and one more in the 3rd, but Lethbridge would add another 3 in the final frame and win it 7-2. I thought the Canes' played another great game and this team really looks like a force to be reckoned with. Let's not forget, the Canes were without the services of Boychuk, Mestery, and Versteeg..all out last night due to injury and Orfino and King were serving suspensions. This team is all reading from the same song sheet right now and for Hurricanes fans, that's a very good thing.

How about the so-called "Beach Factor". As I said last night, Kyle has been a great pick-up for the team. He's had an impact in pretty much every game he's been in for Lethbridge in the past few weeks. He scored two more last night. He's now scored 9 goals and added 3 assists in only 8 games with Lethbridge. Before that, Beach had 9 goals and 21 assists in 30 games with Everett. Beach is also a +8 since joining the Canes'. Again he adds a whole new dynamic.

The power play was hot for Lethbridge. They went 2 for 5 last night against Prince George and are averaging about 2 goals on the PP in each of their last 7 games. It's a more confident man advantage for the Hurricanes as well and I think a lot of people are noticing.

I'd be remiss of I didn't mention the play of the young Mark Reners. The Pincher Creek product scored his first two WHL goals in the Hurricanes victory over PG. He's a talent for sure and with a few players still out of the line-up for Lethbridge, Reners will likely get a few more games in a Hurricanes uniform. He was also the game's first star.

Some people may have been wondering who was helping Assistant Coach Matt Kabayama behind the Canes' bench last night. Brad Robson, Lethbridge's assistant GM and Director of Scouting Brad Robson played the assistant roll. Kabayama will continue as the bench boss for the next 4 games with Head Coach Michael Dyck serving the rest of a suspension.

Tonight the Hurricanes take on the Red Deer Rebels. Lethbridge has won the two previous meetings. Both Lethbridge wins have been shutout victories, 5-0 in Lethbridge back on December 5th and 3-0 in Red Deer on November 22nd. The Rebels lost last night to the Calgary Hitmen. The Canes' are making noise in the Eastern Conference. They jumped a point ahead of Swift Current into 5th place now, 4 back of Medicine Hat.

Game time tonight from Red Deer is 7:30. The pre-game show on CJOC at 7pm.